ABMDI CHAPTER 5 IDENTIFYING AND PRESERVING
EVIDENCE Questions with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: How effective is DNA in identifying suspects compared to fingerprints?
Answer: DNA is twice as effective in identifying suspects as fingerprints.
Question 2: What is the significance of individual characteristics in forensic evidence?
Answer: They distinguish one item from another, such as chips on a screwdriver.
Question 3: What is the purpose of packaging evidence?
Answer: To preserve its integrity and prevent contamination during transport.
Question 4: What should be included in the written request for evidence analysis?
Answer: It should be on department letterhead/form and include details about the evidence.
Question 5: What happens to evidence that is no longer needed?
Answer: It may be returned, sold, or retained for training purposes.
Question 6: What are class characteristics in forensic evidence?
Answer: Features that place an item into a specific category, like the size and shape of a tool mark.
Question 7: What is the role of expert testimony in court regarding evidence?
Answer: To provide reliable and relevant information about the evidence.
Question 8: What is the last step in processing physical evidence?
Answer: Disposing of evidence legally to prevent storage problems.
Question 9: What must be maintained during the examination of evidence?
Answer: The secure protection, proper storage, and consistent management of evidence.
Question 10: What is a common misconception about identical twins and DNA?
Answer: That identical twins have the same DNA; they actually have slight differences.
Question 11: What types of prints are analyzed in forensic investigations?
Answer: Shoe prints, tire prints, and tool marks.
Page 1
, Question 12: What type of DNA is most discriminating and found in blood, semen, and tissues?
Answer: Nuclear DNA (nDNA)
Question 13: What type of DNA is found in naturally shed hairs and bones?
Answer: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
Question 14: What is a major database used to solve violent crimes?
Answer: CODIS
Question 15: What can DNA evidence do besides convict the guilty?
Answer: Exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals
Question 16: What is Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) used for?
Answer: To study bloodstains to establish spatial and sequential events during or after bloodshed
Question 17: What can be determined from analyzing bloodstains?
Answer:
1. Location of people or objects
2. movement
3. areas of origin
4. types of weapons
5. force levels
6. and minimum number of events
Question 18: What characteristics can be determined from human hair analysis?
Answer: Part of the body it originated from, whether it was dyed or bleached, and if it has blood or semen
on it
Question 19: What should be done after photographing shoe or tire tread impressions?
Answer: Cast the impressions found in dirt, sand, or snow
Question 20: How should tool marks be collected?
Answer: Photograph them, cast them, or send the object to a lab for analysis
Question 21: What is the proper way to collect glass evidence?
Answer: Label fragments, wrap each piece separately, and place them in a strong box marked 'fragile'
Page 2
EVIDENCE Questions with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: How effective is DNA in identifying suspects compared to fingerprints?
Answer: DNA is twice as effective in identifying suspects as fingerprints.
Question 2: What is the significance of individual characteristics in forensic evidence?
Answer: They distinguish one item from another, such as chips on a screwdriver.
Question 3: What is the purpose of packaging evidence?
Answer: To preserve its integrity and prevent contamination during transport.
Question 4: What should be included in the written request for evidence analysis?
Answer: It should be on department letterhead/form and include details about the evidence.
Question 5: What happens to evidence that is no longer needed?
Answer: It may be returned, sold, or retained for training purposes.
Question 6: What are class characteristics in forensic evidence?
Answer: Features that place an item into a specific category, like the size and shape of a tool mark.
Question 7: What is the role of expert testimony in court regarding evidence?
Answer: To provide reliable and relevant information about the evidence.
Question 8: What is the last step in processing physical evidence?
Answer: Disposing of evidence legally to prevent storage problems.
Question 9: What must be maintained during the examination of evidence?
Answer: The secure protection, proper storage, and consistent management of evidence.
Question 10: What is a common misconception about identical twins and DNA?
Answer: That identical twins have the same DNA; they actually have slight differences.
Question 11: What types of prints are analyzed in forensic investigations?
Answer: Shoe prints, tire prints, and tool marks.
Page 1
, Question 12: What type of DNA is most discriminating and found in blood, semen, and tissues?
Answer: Nuclear DNA (nDNA)
Question 13: What type of DNA is found in naturally shed hairs and bones?
Answer: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
Question 14: What is a major database used to solve violent crimes?
Answer: CODIS
Question 15: What can DNA evidence do besides convict the guilty?
Answer: Exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals
Question 16: What is Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) used for?
Answer: To study bloodstains to establish spatial and sequential events during or after bloodshed
Question 17: What can be determined from analyzing bloodstains?
Answer:
1. Location of people or objects
2. movement
3. areas of origin
4. types of weapons
5. force levels
6. and minimum number of events
Question 18: What characteristics can be determined from human hair analysis?
Answer: Part of the body it originated from, whether it was dyed or bleached, and if it has blood or semen
on it
Question 19: What should be done after photographing shoe or tire tread impressions?
Answer: Cast the impressions found in dirt, sand, or snow
Question 20: How should tool marks be collected?
Answer: Photograph them, cast them, or send the object to a lab for analysis
Question 21: What is the proper way to collect glass evidence?
Answer: Label fragments, wrap each piece separately, and place them in a strong box marked 'fragile'
Page 2
