TEST BANK
FORENSIC SCIENCE
An Introduction to Scientific
and Investigative Techniques
FIFTH EDITION
by
Stuart James
Jon J. Nordby
Suzanne Bell
, Chapter 1 Justice and Science
Multiple Choice
1. What does it mean for the evidence to be “internally consistent?”
a. The blood evidence is supported.
b. Every finding must support the story for it to be valid.*
c. Investigators agree with the evidence.
d. The witness tells the same story consistently.
2. To pursue the forensic sciences, one should:
a. Major in criminology.
b. Major in criminal justice.
c. Have a solid foundation in math and science.*
d. Have a solid foundation in math and sociology.
3. When forensic data follows the scientific method, it should be:
a. Obtainable by anyone, able to be reproduced to compare results, and
falsifiable.*
b. Predictive and reproducible.
c. Understandable to a layperson.
d. Supported by everyone.
4. The process by which forensic science methods and data are evaluated is
called:
a. The scientific method.
b. Testing.
c. Transparency.
d. Peer review.*
5. What is one way that bias can be limited?
a. Sequential masking*
b. Contextual information
c. Self-correction
d. Publishing results
6. Elements of quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) include all of the following
EXCEPT:
a. Positive and negative controls.
b. Double blinds.
c. Standard operating procedures (SOPs).
d. Collecting evidence at the crime scene.*
7. The purpose of proficiency testing through forensic science organizations is to
provide _____ for forensic scientists.
a. Accreditation
, b. Certification*
c. Funding
d. Cross examination
8. Who bears the burden of proof in a criminal proceeding?
a. The prosecutor*
b. The defendant
c. The defense attorney
d. The victim
9. What term describes when a laboratory has agreed to operate according to a
professional or industry standard and has proven that it can and does operate this
way?
a. Accreditation*
b. Certification
c. Attestation
d. Quality Assurance
10. Who is considered the trier-of-fact?
a. Lawyers
b. Forensic scientists
c. Judge and jury*
d. Judge only
True False
1. The techniques of an archaeologist can be applied to forensic science.
a. True*
b. False
2. Criminology and criminal justice are the same thing.
a. True
b. False* (Criminology is a social science that focuses on the social and human
aspects of crime. Criminal justice focuses on law enforcement and the criminal
justice system.)
3. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report entitled, “Forensic Science in
the United States: A Path Forward,” criticized several forensic science
disciplines.
a. True*
b. False
4. Ethics and having a code of ethics as a standard in forensic science is
important in providing professionalism, honesty, and accurate testimony.
a. True*
b. False
, 5. Forensic scientists can only testify in criminal action suits and for the
prosecution.
a. True
b. False* (Forensic scientists can testify in either type of legal action)
6. The difference of opinion between two experts indicates that one of the experts is
unethical.
a. True
b. False*
Matching
1.
a. Laboratories funded by governments such as states, counties, and cities = Public
Laboratories
b. Businesses that are designed to make a profit = Private Laboratories
2.
a. A laboratory has agreed to operate according to a professional or industry standard and
has proven that it can and does operate this way = Accreditation
b. A forensic scientist has completed a written test covering his or her discipline and that
the analyst participates in yearly proficiency testing to insure that their laboratory
methods and techniques are sound = Certification
3.
a. Between individuals or parties = Civil Law
b. Violation of criminal laws and involve the government as the charging individual =
Criminal
c. The party that files the criminal charges = Prosecution
d. The party that files the civil action charges = Plaintiff
e. The party that is under the accusations = Defendant
4.
a. The Legal System = Precedent
b. Science = Self-correction
Further Readings
Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward:
https://www.nap.edu/read/12589/chapter/1
Forensic/Crime Lab Accreditation:
https://www.anab.org/forensic-accreditation
National Academy of Sciences: http://nasonline.org
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): https://www.nist.gov
FORENSIC SCIENCE
An Introduction to Scientific
and Investigative Techniques
FIFTH EDITION
by
Stuart James
Jon J. Nordby
Suzanne Bell
, Chapter 1 Justice and Science
Multiple Choice
1. What does it mean for the evidence to be “internally consistent?”
a. The blood evidence is supported.
b. Every finding must support the story for it to be valid.*
c. Investigators agree with the evidence.
d. The witness tells the same story consistently.
2. To pursue the forensic sciences, one should:
a. Major in criminology.
b. Major in criminal justice.
c. Have a solid foundation in math and science.*
d. Have a solid foundation in math and sociology.
3. When forensic data follows the scientific method, it should be:
a. Obtainable by anyone, able to be reproduced to compare results, and
falsifiable.*
b. Predictive and reproducible.
c. Understandable to a layperson.
d. Supported by everyone.
4. The process by which forensic science methods and data are evaluated is
called:
a. The scientific method.
b. Testing.
c. Transparency.
d. Peer review.*
5. What is one way that bias can be limited?
a. Sequential masking*
b. Contextual information
c. Self-correction
d. Publishing results
6. Elements of quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) include all of the following
EXCEPT:
a. Positive and negative controls.
b. Double blinds.
c. Standard operating procedures (SOPs).
d. Collecting evidence at the crime scene.*
7. The purpose of proficiency testing through forensic science organizations is to
provide _____ for forensic scientists.
a. Accreditation
, b. Certification*
c. Funding
d. Cross examination
8. Who bears the burden of proof in a criminal proceeding?
a. The prosecutor*
b. The defendant
c. The defense attorney
d. The victim
9. What term describes when a laboratory has agreed to operate according to a
professional or industry standard and has proven that it can and does operate this
way?
a. Accreditation*
b. Certification
c. Attestation
d. Quality Assurance
10. Who is considered the trier-of-fact?
a. Lawyers
b. Forensic scientists
c. Judge and jury*
d. Judge only
True False
1. The techniques of an archaeologist can be applied to forensic science.
a. True*
b. False
2. Criminology and criminal justice are the same thing.
a. True
b. False* (Criminology is a social science that focuses on the social and human
aspects of crime. Criminal justice focuses on law enforcement and the criminal
justice system.)
3. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report entitled, “Forensic Science in
the United States: A Path Forward,” criticized several forensic science
disciplines.
a. True*
b. False
4. Ethics and having a code of ethics as a standard in forensic science is
important in providing professionalism, honesty, and accurate testimony.
a. True*
b. False
, 5. Forensic scientists can only testify in criminal action suits and for the
prosecution.
a. True
b. False* (Forensic scientists can testify in either type of legal action)
6. The difference of opinion between two experts indicates that one of the experts is
unethical.
a. True
b. False*
Matching
1.
a. Laboratories funded by governments such as states, counties, and cities = Public
Laboratories
b. Businesses that are designed to make a profit = Private Laboratories
2.
a. A laboratory has agreed to operate according to a professional or industry standard and
has proven that it can and does operate this way = Accreditation
b. A forensic scientist has completed a written test covering his or her discipline and that
the analyst participates in yearly proficiency testing to insure that their laboratory
methods and techniques are sound = Certification
3.
a. Between individuals or parties = Civil Law
b. Violation of criminal laws and involve the government as the charging individual =
Criminal
c. The party that files the criminal charges = Prosecution
d. The party that files the civil action charges = Plaintiff
e. The party that is under the accusations = Defendant
4.
a. The Legal System = Precedent
b. Science = Self-correction
Further Readings
Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward:
https://www.nap.edu/read/12589/chapter/1
Forensic/Crime Lab Accreditation:
https://www.anab.org/forensic-accreditation
National Academy of Sciences: http://nasonline.org
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): https://www.nist.gov
