Question 1

Which of the following is not a requirement of the ethics codes as required by the code of ethics for forensic science?

Accepted Answer

Trustworthiness is a desirable quality and often implied within professional ethics, but it is not explicitly listed as a requirement in the same way as integrity, competence, and training are typically outlined in forensic science ethics codes. These codes focus more on measurable and definable standards such as competence (having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to perform a task effectively), integrity (adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty), and training (the action of teaching a person a particular skill or type of behavior). Trustworthiness, while important, is more of a character trait that is expected to be a result of adhering to these explicit requirements.

Question 2

The ________,founded in 1992,is a nonprofit legal organization founded for the purpose of exonerating wrongfully convicted people through DNA testing.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The ________,founded in 1992,is a nonprofit legal...

Question 3

Public crime laboratories are overwhelmed by backlogs of DNA samples.Which of the following is/are problems that may be associated with this backlog?

Accepted Answer

Increasing amounts of new DNA evidence and lack of storage space for DNA samples both contribute to the backlog in public crime laboratories, while limited resources may limit the ability of these laboratories to process samples in a timely manner. Therefore, all of the stated problems are potential contributors to the backlog.

Question 4

Frye v.United States (1923)ruled that the results of a "deception test," an early version of the polygraph could be used in court if the operator personally testified to the veracity of the results.

Accepted Answer

Frye v. United States established the Frye standard, which held that scientific evidence could only be admissible in court if it was generally accepted in the relevant scientific community. The decision did not specifically address the admissibility of deception tests or require the operator to personally testify to the reliability of the results.

Question 5

DNA evidence was first used in court in a trial in England in 1985.

Accepted Answer

DNA evidence was first used in court in England in 1985 in the trial of Colin Pitchfork, who was convicted of the rape and murder of two girls.

Question 6

The ________ is used in the national,state,and local index-system networks to link typing results from unresolved crimes with cases in multiple jurisdictions or persons convicted of offenses specified in the data-banking laws passed by local jurisdictions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The ________ is used in the national,state,and...

Question 7

What has been identified as the most significant blunder to date in any crime lab within the United States?

Accepted Answer

The March 2004 arrest of Portland attorney Brandon Mayfield for the Madrid bombing is considered the most significant blunder in any crime lab within the United States. Mayfield, who was innocent, was falsely linked to the bombings because of a misidentification made by the FBI laboratory. This led to a major scandal and prompted reforms in the way crime labs handle evidence and conduct analysis. The other options listed are significant events, but they do not involve a direct failure of a crime lab.

Question 8

Collecting DNA evidence requires special consideration.Among these considerations,for long-term storage,keep biological evidence in a refrigerator with the temperature between 40 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Accepted Answer

Biological evidence should be stored in a freezer at a temperature of -4 to -22 degrees Fahrenheit for long-term storage to ensure preservation of DNA.

Question 9

Contamination is a big issue in the collection and packaging of evidence containing DNA.Coughing or sneezing while handling DNA evidence can cause contamination.

Accepted Answer

Contamination is a major concern in handling DNA evidence and coughing or sneezing can contribute to this contamination. It is important to follow proper protocol and take precautions to prevent any contamination of DNA evidence.

Question 10

In a recent case,the Supreme Court concluded that latent fingerprint identification evidence as produced by the FBI's procedures met the requirements for admissibility established by Dauber v.Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals,Inc.What was the name of the case?

Accepted Answer

The case in which the Supreme Court concluded that latent fingerprint identification evidence as produced by the FBI's procedures met the requirements for admissibility established by Dauber v.Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals,Inc. is United States v. Mitchell.

Question 11

The terms "forensic science" and "Criminalistics" are often used together.Forensic science is that part of science applied to answering legal questions whereas Criminalistics deals with the study of physical evidence related to a crime.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. Forensic science is the application of science to legal matters, while criminalistics is the application of scientific techniques to physical evidence related to a crime.

Question 12

A ________ search is conducted when a DNA sample collected from a crime does not match any of the samples in the data base.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A ________ search is conducted when a...

Question 13

Measures of crime laboratory effectiveness are quality,quantity,and timeliness.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Measures of crime laboratory effectiveness are quality,quantity,and...

Question 14

Mitochondrial DNA is found in the mitochondria,which are only in the body of a female who has given birth to a child.

Accepted Answer

Mitochondrial DNA is inherited maternally, meaning it is passed down from the mother to her offspring, regardless of gender. However, both males and females have mitochondria in their cells, not just females who have given birth.

Question 15

Daubert v.Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals,Inc.applies only to federal courts even though some states have adopted the Daubert Standard.

Accepted Answer

Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a Supreme Court case that established the criteria for the admissibility of scientific evidence in federal courts. While some states have adopted the Daubert Standard, it only applies to federal courts. State courts may apply their own standards for the admissibility of scientific evidence.

Question 16

There are three primary purposes of a digital crime lab.They are to examine and collect relevant digital evidence and secure evidence that directly involve computer crimes such as money laundering,possessing child pornography,embezzlement,fraud,and identity theft and to prevent and investigate terrorist plots.

Accepted Answer

The three primary purposes of a digital crime lab are to examine and collect relevant digital evidence, secure evidence that directly involve computer crimes such as money laundering, possessing child pornography, embezzlement, fraud, and identity theft, and to prevent and investigate terrorist plots.

Question 17

A national online fingerprint and criminal-history database with identification and response capabilities,________ consists of three integrated segments: the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS),the Interstate Identification Index (III),and the Identification Tasking and Networking (ITN).

Accepted Answer

The answer of A national online fingerprint and criminal-history database...

Question 18

As a joint program of the Bureau of Alcohol,Tobacco,and Firearms (ATF),and the FBI,the ________ integrates all the elements of Ceasefire and Brasscatcher (both former ATF programs and Drugfire (an FBI program).

Accepted Answer

The answer of As a joint program of the Bureau...

Question 19

A morgue is another crime lab that is critical on the forensic scene as it is the place where the cause of death is determined.

Accepted Answer

The morgue plays a crucial role in determining the cause of death, making it an important part of the forensic scene.

Question 20

Which of the following organizations have established a code of ethics for forensic science?

Accepted Answer

All of the provided organizations have established a code of ethics for forensic science. The American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors promotes the highest ethical and quality standards in the profession, while the American Board of Criminalistics requires applicants for certification to demonstrate knowledge of and adherence to ethical principles. The Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners has also established a code of ethics for forensic practitioners.

Quiz 8: The Crime Laboratory