Question 1

When comparing the latent prints with the suspect's fingerprints, a _____ makes a decision on whether there is a _____.

Accepted Answer

A person (forensic analyst or fingerprint examiner) makes the decision on whether there is a match between the latent prints found at a crime scene and the suspect's fingerprints.

Question 2

According to the text, the analysis of bullet striations, tool marks, and bite marks for comparison identification is:

Accepted Answer

The analysis of bullet striations, tool marks, and bite marks for comparison identification is scientifically unproven but still routinely used in court. Despite the lack of a solid scientific foundation, these methods are often accepted in legal proceedings for comparative identification purposes.

Question 3

Which of the following forms of forensic identification evidence is the most objective one?

Accepted Answer

DNA analysis is considered the most objective form of forensic identification evidence because it is based on genetic markers that are unique to each individual (except in the case of identical twins). This method relies on scientific and statistical analysis, making it less subjective compared to techniques like fingerprint analysis, bullet matching, or handwriting analysis, which require interpretation by experts.

Question 4

A survey was administered to high school seniors in Anytown. According to the survey results, fewer than 5 of them drove drunk in the previous 6 months. However, Anytown police records indicate that more than 15 Anytown seniors were arrested for driving drunk in the previous 6 months. Based on this information, the survey has:

Accepted Answer

The discrepancy between the survey results and the police records suggests that the survey did not accurately measure the behavior it intended to (drunk driving incidents among high school seniors), indicating low measurement validity.

Question 5

All of the following problems lead to fingerprint evidence being imperfect and prone to error, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The statement that if the number of matching ridge characteristics reaches 16, the two prints match, does not lead to fingerprint evidence being imperfect or prone to error. It is a criterion that some forensic experts use to determine a match, though the reliability and standards can vary. The other options (A, C, D) all describe issues that can contribute to the imperfection and potential errors in fingerprint analysis.

Question 6

Fingerprint patterns identified by Sir Francis Galton in the late 1800s, include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Sir Francis Galton identified loops, whorls, and arches as the main patterns in fingerprints. "Bridges" are not recognized as a fingerprint pattern in his classification system.

Question 7

DNA can be extracted from _____ evidence:

Accepted Answer

DNA can be extracted from biological evidence, such as blood, saliva, semen, or hair, because these materials contain cells with DNA.

Question 8

At each locus of the DNA strand, a person has two genetic characteristics, or _____: one inherited _____.

Accepted Answer

Alleles are the different versions of a gene that a person inherits from each parent at a given locus on a DNA strand.

Question 9

When a fingerprint examiner is asked to compare a suspect's fingerprints with the _____, this means she needs to compare the suspect's prints with the ones found at the scene of a crime.

Accepted Answer

Latent prints refer to fingerprints that are not visible to the naked eye and are left at crime scenes. These need to be developed for visibility and are often compared to suspects' fingerprints to establish presence or involvement in a crime.

Question 10

_____ the other, well-established forms of forensic identification, DNA identification was subjected to _____ scrutiny to establish its scientific validity and relevance.

Accepted Answer

DNA identification, being a newer method, was subjected to more scrutiny than other well-established forms of forensic identification to establish its validity and relevance.

Question 11

All of the following problems plague forensic science, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

C is the correct choice because, in contrast to the other options, the extensive scrutiny by peer reviewers is a standard practice in scientific research aimed at ensuring accuracy and reliability, not a problem.

Question 12

According to the text, most forensic examiners hold a(n):

Accepted Answer

Most forensic examiners hold at least a bachelor's degree, as this level of education provides a solid foundation in the scientific principles and analytical skills necessary for the field. Advanced degrees may be required for more specialized roles, but a bachelor's is typically the minimum requirement.

Question 13

The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) maintained by the FBI:

Accepted Answer

CODIS is the most frequently used DNA database in the world, maintained by the FBI for law enforcement purposes. It is a tool for storing, comparing, and exchanging DNA profiles electronically, thereby assisting in solving crimes and identifying missing persons.

Question 14

Sir Francis Galton, who was the first to describe fingerprint patterns and use them for matching, was an early pioneer in the field of psychometrics, advocating the idea that individual psychological traits can be:

Accepted Answer

Sir Francis Galton, an early pioneer in psychometrics, believed that individual psychological traits could be measured, laying the groundwork for the field of psychological testing and assessment.

Question 15

To reduce error and bias, a blind test can be administered to a forensic examiner, which means that the examiner:

Accepted Answer

A blind test means the examiner does not know they are being tested, which helps in reducing bias and error by ensuring their performance is natural and unaffected by any external pressures or expectations of the outcome.

Question 16

DNA can be used more successfully to infer some individual characteristics rather than others because environmental factors and people's behavior influence certain traits more than other ones. Which one of the following characteristics is the easiest to figure out from the DNA?

Accepted Answer

Race is the easiest characteristic to infer from DNA because it is largely determined by genetic factors. While environmental factors and personal behaviors can influence traits like weight and health status, and age is not directly encoded in DNA, genetic markers associated with race are more straightforward to identify.

Question 17

Pierre has received a piece of pizza crust with DNA evidence from the crime scene, to analyze and compare it with the CODIS database for possible matches. However, because the piece of pizza crust was mistakenly stored in a plastic bag instead of a paper bag before it got to the lab, the DNA evidence has deteriorated and now yields ambiguous results. Now _____ make a judgment on whether there is a match.

Accepted Answer

Pierre, as the analyst responsible for examining the DNA evidence, must interpret the ambiguous results and make a judgment on whether there is a match, despite the deterioration of the DNA sample.

Question 18

A fingerprint examiner's decision about a match may be influenced by whether he is told the suspect has confessed to the crime. This tendency to seek out information that supports one's beliefs is known as:

Accepted Answer

Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one's prior beliefs or values. This can influence a fingerprint examiner's decision if they are biased by knowing the suspect has confessed.

Question 19

In forensic identification, it is crucial to know whether a specific technique, for example, hair analysis, can actually measure if one hair matches another one. If the technique doesn't do a good job, it means it has:

Accepted Answer

Low measurement validity indicates that the technique is not accurately measuring what it is supposed to measure, in this case, whether one hair matches another.

Question 20

Kelly works as a fingerprint examiner. A police detective showed her some gory photos of the crime scene and told her that the suspect in custody is a likely perpetrator of the murder. Kelly is more likely to find a match between the latent prints and the suspect's prints because of:

Accepted Answer

Contextual bias occurs when an examiner's judgment is influenced by irrelevant information (such as the gory photos and the detective's opinion about the suspect's guilt). This can lead to a higher likelihood of finding a match between the latent prints and the suspect's prints, even if the match is not based solely on the prints' characteristics.

Quiz 4: The Psychology of Forensic Identification: Dna, Fingerprints, and Physical Trace Evidence

When comparing the latent prints with the suspect's fingerprints, a _ makes a decision on whether there is a _.