Question 1

__________ is defined as something legally submitted to a court as a means of ascertaining the truth of a matter under investigation.

Accepted Answer

Evidence is defined as something legally submitted to a court as a means of ascertaining the truth of a matter under investigation. Reports, affidavits, and property may all be types of evidence, but they are not the definition of evidence itself.

Question 2

Physical evidence has the potential to:

Accepted Answer

Physical evidence can prove that a crime was committed, identify a person associated with the crime, and also can exonerate or exclude an individual from being involved in the crime. Therefore, all the choices are correct.

Question 3

Forensic Science is defined as the application of science to __________.

Accepted Answer

Forensic Science is the application of scientific methods and techniques to the investigation of crimes and other legal issues. It involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence to assist in the investigation and resolution of legal cases. While forensic science may be used in court, by law enforcement agencies, and in criminal defense, its primary purpose is to provide scientific evidence that can be used in legal proceedings. Therefore, the best choice is B, Law.

Question 4

Which of the following pieces of evidence would be more probative in associating the defendant to the victim in a murder trial?

Accepted Answer

The most probative piece of evidence would be the bloodstain on the defendant's jacket that matches the victim's DNA profile. This provides a direct link between the defendant and the victim, indicating that the defendant was at the scene of the crime and likely involved in the murder. The other pieces of evidence, while potentially relevant, do not provide such a direct link and may be less reliable or convincing to a jury.

Question 5

The ______________ Effect refers to the phenomenon in which jurors hold unrealistic expectations of forensic evidence and investigation techniques, and have an increased interest in the discipline because of the influence of CSI-type television shows.

Accepted Answer

The question mentions the influence of CSI-type television shows, therefore the correct answer is C - CSI, as this is the title of a popular television show featuring forensic investigations. The other options (Legalese, Sci-Fi, Forensic) are not relevant to the phenomenon described in the question.

Question 6

When collecting evidence at a crime scene it is important to place identifying information on the container. If the case number is not available, at that time, to be placed on the container what should the collector do?

Accepted Answer

It is important to collect and label the evidence as soon as possible to prevent any tampering or contamination. If the case number is not available at the time of collection, all other available information should be included on the container (such as location, date, and time). The case number can be added later when it becomes available. This ensures that the chain of custody is maintained and the evidence can be tracked properly.

Question 7

The term "Evidence" refers to something legally submitted to a competent tribunal as a means of ascertaining the truth of any alleged matter of fact under investigation?

Accepted Answer

The definition of evidence is accurately described in the statement provided.

Question 8

Which of the following statements regarding Physical Evidence is not true:

Accepted Answer

Eyewitnesses are not always reliable and can be influenced by a variety of factors such as stress, leading questions, and memory distortion. Physical evidence, on the other hand, can provide conclusive and unbiased proof in a criminal investigation. Therefore, the statement that "eyewitnesses will always be more reliable" is not true.

Question 9

The CSI Effect does not exist, Juries do not expect physical evidence to be more important than testimony evidence.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that some juries may have unrealistic expectations about the capabilities of forensic evidence due to popular TV shows like CSI, but this does not necessarily mean that they value physical evidence over testimony evidence. Ultimately, each case and jury is unique and cannot be generalized.

Question 10

Every item of physical evidence can be directly associated with a specific person, place, or thing for identification purposes.

Accepted Answer

Every item of physical evidence may not always be directly associated with a specific person, place, or thing. It may require further analysis to establish the connection.

Question 11

The linkage of physical evidence to victims, witnesses, and suspects can accomplish all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

Physical evidence can establish a chain of custody, but it cannot identify persons involved with the chain of custody.

Question 12

The term for when an item of evidence comes from a unique source.

Accepted Answer

Individualization refers to evidence that can be traced back to a unique source, such as fingerprints or DNA. This type of evidence is more powerful than a match or exclusion, as it can unequivocally connect a specific person or object to a crime scene or other event. Sufficient is not a term used to describe evidence, but rather a term used to describe the amount or quality of evidence needed to prove a legal case.

Question 13

The term for when there are tests performed on an item of evidence to show that it has a common source to a known sample(s).

Accepted Answer

The term for tests performed on an item of evidence to show that it has a common source to a known sample(s) is known as identification. This is the process of determining the identity of a substance or material through various scientific tests and comparisons to known samples. Exclusion refers to when tests show that a sample does not match a known source, while classification is the process of grouping similar items or evidence together. Sufficient is not directly related to this concept.

Question 14

The term for when an item of evidence has general pattern or information, such as the same shoe manufacturer style and size.

Accepted Answer

The term for when an item of evidence has general pattern or information is classification. Individualization refers to when evidence is unique to a specific source, identification refers to determining a match between evidence and a known source, and exclusion refers to ruling out a potential source of evidence.

Question 15

In 2009 The National Academy of Science published Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward that identified all of the following issues of concern in forensic science except for:

Accepted Answer

Quality Assurance at the crime scene was not explicitly mentioned as an issue of concern in the report. However, the other three options (accuracy/repeatability, identifying mistakes/fraud/bias, following best practices) were identified as crucial areas for improvement in forensic science.

Question 16

Teamwork is an essential component of any investigation. Which of the following is responsible for maintaining good working relationships?

Accepted Answer

All members of the investigative team are equally responsible for maintaining good working relationships. Effective communication, collaboration, and respect for each other's roles and contributions are essential for the success of the investigation.

Question 17

Unlike other professions, crime scene investigators do not need continuing education or ongoing study through conferences and training.

Accepted Answer

Continuing education and ongoing training are necessary for crime scene investigators due to advancements in technology and changes in forensic techniques. It is essential for them to stay up-to-date on the latest methods and technologies to properly analyze and interpret evidence.

Question 18

The ___________________ is one of the oldest professional associations of its kind, founded in 1915. It publishes the Journal of Forensic Identification and holds an annual conference that brings colleagues together to attend workshops and technical presentations and to exchange information.

Accepted Answer

The International Association for Identification (IAI) is one of the oldest professional associations of its kind, founded in 1915. It publishes the Journal of Forensic Identification and holds an annual conference that brings colleagues together to attend workshops and technical presentations and to exchange information. The other choices are also professional associations within the field of forensic science, but they are not necessarily as old or as focused on identification techniques as the IAI.

Quiz 1: Introduction