Forensics exam tsa – practice test & forensic science study
guide 2026 question with correct verified answers
Autopsy - The internal and external examination of a body after death. An autopsy is performed
to confirm or determine the cause of death and establish other pre-death conditions, such as
the type of food last consumed and the time it was consumed.
Ballistics - The study of the motion of bullets and their examination for distinctive characteristics
after being fired. Examiners can use this evidence to match bullets or bullet fragments to
specific weapons.
Blood Splatter - The pattern of blood that has struck a surface. This pattern can provide vital
information about the source of the blood. Can help determine the size and type of wound, the
direction and the speed with which the perpetrator or victim was moving, and the type of
weapon used to create the blood spill.
Caliber - The diameter of the bore of a rifled firearm, usually expressed in hundredths of an inch
or in millimeters.
Composite Drawing - A sketch of a suspect produced from eyewitness descriptions of one or
more persons.
Criminology - The study of criminal activity and how it is dealt with by the law.
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid. Double helix strand. Genetic code (fingerprint). 50% from mom
and 50% from dad. ACGT.
DNA Electrophoresis - The technique by which DNA fragments are placed in a gel and charged
with electricity. An applied electric field then separates the fragments by size, as part of the
process of creating a genetic profile.
,DNA Profiling - The process of testing to identify DNA patterns or types. In forensic science this
testing is used to indicate parentage or to exclude or include individuals as possible sources of
bodily fluid stains (blood, saliva, semen) and other biological evidence (bones, hair, teeth)
Evidence - Anything that has been used, left, removed, altered, or contaminated during the
commission of a crime or other event under investigation
Fingerprint - The unique patterns created by skin ridges found on the palm sides of fingers and
thumbs.
Forensic Science - The application of science to law. The application of science to those criminal
and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system. The focus of
forensics is the crime lab. The crime lab uses the principles and technique of biology, chemistry,
physics, geology, anthropology, and other sciences in order to place physical evidence into a
professional discipline.
Absolute Certainty - ultimate sureness with no implication of possible change.
Accountability - the quality of subordinate workers being responsible for his/her own work and
answerable to a superior.
Accuracy - the degree of conformity of a measured quantity to its actual (true) value.
Acetone - a colorless, highly flammable chemical compound used as an organic solvent, an
ingredient in many lacquer thinner compounds and adhering liquids.
Accelerant - an agent, often an ignitable liquid, that acts to initiate a fire or increase its rate of
spread.
, Administrative documentation - records such as case related conversations, evidence receipts,
description of evidence packaging and seals, and other pertinent information.
Administrative (or Laboratory Director) Case File Review - a detailed final review of the case file
documentation. A member other than the assigned analyst must conduct the Laboratory
Director case file review on all case files.
Algor mortis - the postmortem cooling of the body.
Analytical Data - all case specific records such as notes, worksheets, graphs, spectra, printouts,
computer data files, photographs, photocopies, microscopic slides and other data or records.
Analytical Procedure - an orderly step-by-step process designed to ensure operational
uniformity and to minimize systematic variability.
Analyst - any ADFS personnel assigned to perform scientific investigation or evidential
examination.
Ante mortem - preceding death Antigens - foreign substances in the body that are capable of
causing disease.
Arson - the intentional and unlawful burning of a building or other property.
Assessment - the process of evaluating analysts to determine their level of technical knowledge,
skills, and abilities.
Asphyxiation - a medical term for suffocation, which leads to lack of oxygen in the blood.
guide 2026 question with correct verified answers
Autopsy - The internal and external examination of a body after death. An autopsy is performed
to confirm or determine the cause of death and establish other pre-death conditions, such as
the type of food last consumed and the time it was consumed.
Ballistics - The study of the motion of bullets and their examination for distinctive characteristics
after being fired. Examiners can use this evidence to match bullets or bullet fragments to
specific weapons.
Blood Splatter - The pattern of blood that has struck a surface. This pattern can provide vital
information about the source of the blood. Can help determine the size and type of wound, the
direction and the speed with which the perpetrator or victim was moving, and the type of
weapon used to create the blood spill.
Caliber - The diameter of the bore of a rifled firearm, usually expressed in hundredths of an inch
or in millimeters.
Composite Drawing - A sketch of a suspect produced from eyewitness descriptions of one or
more persons.
Criminology - The study of criminal activity and how it is dealt with by the law.
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid. Double helix strand. Genetic code (fingerprint). 50% from mom
and 50% from dad. ACGT.
DNA Electrophoresis - The technique by which DNA fragments are placed in a gel and charged
with electricity. An applied electric field then separates the fragments by size, as part of the
process of creating a genetic profile.
,DNA Profiling - The process of testing to identify DNA patterns or types. In forensic science this
testing is used to indicate parentage or to exclude or include individuals as possible sources of
bodily fluid stains (blood, saliva, semen) and other biological evidence (bones, hair, teeth)
Evidence - Anything that has been used, left, removed, altered, or contaminated during the
commission of a crime or other event under investigation
Fingerprint - The unique patterns created by skin ridges found on the palm sides of fingers and
thumbs.
Forensic Science - The application of science to law. The application of science to those criminal
and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system. The focus of
forensics is the crime lab. The crime lab uses the principles and technique of biology, chemistry,
physics, geology, anthropology, and other sciences in order to place physical evidence into a
professional discipline.
Absolute Certainty - ultimate sureness with no implication of possible change.
Accountability - the quality of subordinate workers being responsible for his/her own work and
answerable to a superior.
Accuracy - the degree of conformity of a measured quantity to its actual (true) value.
Acetone - a colorless, highly flammable chemical compound used as an organic solvent, an
ingredient in many lacquer thinner compounds and adhering liquids.
Accelerant - an agent, often an ignitable liquid, that acts to initiate a fire or increase its rate of
spread.
, Administrative documentation - records such as case related conversations, evidence receipts,
description of evidence packaging and seals, and other pertinent information.
Administrative (or Laboratory Director) Case File Review - a detailed final review of the case file
documentation. A member other than the assigned analyst must conduct the Laboratory
Director case file review on all case files.
Algor mortis - the postmortem cooling of the body.
Analytical Data - all case specific records such as notes, worksheets, graphs, spectra, printouts,
computer data files, photographs, photocopies, microscopic slides and other data or records.
Analytical Procedure - an orderly step-by-step process designed to ensure operational
uniformity and to minimize systematic variability.
Analyst - any ADFS personnel assigned to perform scientific investigation or evidential
examination.
Ante mortem - preceding death Antigens - foreign substances in the body that are capable of
causing disease.
Arson - the intentional and unlawful burning of a building or other property.
Assessment - the process of evaluating analysts to determine their level of technical knowledge,
skills, and abilities.
Asphyxiation - a medical term for suffocation, which leads to lack of oxygen in the blood.
