Arizona Department of
Public Safety Arizona
Forensic Scientist I
Toxicology Exam Plan
,QUESTIONS
Question 1
A comparison covers “Appropriate matrices for postmortem and human
performance cases”, “Postmortem Toxicology Interpretation”, “Analytical
Instrumentation and Methodology”, “Volatiles Analysis”. Which association
preserves the correct relationship? Pay particular attention to the role of
“whole blood, plasma, serum, urine, vitreous humor, liver, gastric contents,
and alternative matrices (hair, oral fluid)”.
A. Appropriate matrices for postmortem and human performance cases — whole blood, plasma,
serum, urine, vitreous humor, liver, gastric contents, and alternative matrices (hair, oral fluid)
B. Appropriate matrices for postmortem and human performance cases — Liquid
Chromatography (LC) coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
C. Appropriate matrices for postmortem and human performance cases — Blood-to-water ratios
and calculation methodologies
D. Appropriate matrices for postmortem and human performance cases — Redistribution
phenomena (postmortem redistribution) and specimen site variation
Correct Answer: A
Full Explanation: Appropriate matrices for postmortem and human performance cases: whole
blood, plasma, serum, urine, vitreous humor, liver, gastric contents, and alternative matrices (hair,
oral fluid). B: This option instead describes the following different focus: Analytical Instrumentation
and Methodology: Liquid Chromatography (LC) coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry
(LC-MS/MS). C: This option instead describes the following different focus: Volatiles Analysis:
Blood-to-water ratios and calculation methodologies. D: This option instead describes the following
different focus: Postmortem Toxicology Interpretation: Redistribution phenomena (postmortem
redistribution) and specimen site variation.
2
,QUESTIONS
Question 2
Among these proposed associations for “Sample Preparation Techniques”,
“Postmortem Toxicology Interpretation”, “Volatiles Analysis”, “Specimen
Collection and Selection”, which one is consistent? Pay particular attention to
the role of “Preservation agents, anticoagulants, and collection container
requirements”.
A. Specimen Collection and Selection — Blood-to-water ratios and calculation methodologies
B. Specimen Collection and Selection — Correlation of findings with autopsy results, scene
investigations, and medical history
C. Specimen Collection and Selection — Preservation agents, anticoagulants, and collection
container requirements
D. Specimen Collection and Selection — Protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), and
solid-phase extraction (SPE) principles
Correct Answer: C
Full Explanation: Specimen Collection and Selection: Preservation agents, anticoagulants, and
collection container requirements. A: This option instead describes the following different focus:
Volatiles Analysis: Blood-to-water ratios and calculation methodologies. B: This option instead
describes the following different focus: Postmortem Toxicology Interpretation: Correlation of
findings with autopsy results, scene investigations, and medical history. D: This option instead
describes the following different focus: Sample Preparation Techniques: Protein precipitation,
liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), and solid-phase extraction (SPE) principles.
3
, QUESTIONS
Question 3
A coordinated review separates “Legal standards for admissibility of scientific
evidence (Daubert and Frye standards)”, “identification of toxicants,
establishing contribution to death, impairment evaluation, and exposure
verification”, and “Procedures for evidence intake, documentation, secure
storage, tracking, and final disposition”. Which ordered assignment avoids
switching their roles?
A. Rules of Evidence and Expert Testimony → Core objectives → Chain of Custody and Evidence
Management
B. Chain of Custody and Evidence Management → Core objectives → Rules of Evidence and
Expert Testimony
C. Core objectives → Rules of Evidence and Expert Testimony → Chain of Custody and Evidence
Management
D. Rules of Evidence and Expert Testimony → Chain of Custody and Evidence Management →
Core objectives
Correct Answer: A
Full Explanation: Rules of Evidence and Expert Testimony: Legal standards for admissibility of
scientific evidence (Daubert and Frye standards). Core objectives: identification of toxicants,
establishing contribution to death, impairment evaluation, and exposure verification. Chain of
Custody and Evidence Management: Procedures for evidence intake, documentation, secure
storage, tracking, and final disposition. B: Positions 1, 3 do not preserve the corresponding
task-to-focus relationships. C: Positions 1, 2 do not preserve the corresponding task-to-focus
relationships. D: Positions 2, 3 do not preserve the corresponding task-to-focus relationships.
Question 4
A two-part review must address “Standard operating procedures (SOPs),
calibration, method validation, and quality control” and “(oxidation, reduction,
hydrolysis) and Phase II (conjugation) metabolic pathways”. The first part
already covers “blanks, duplicates, controls”. Which task should complete the
second part?
A. Role and responsibilities of the forensic scientist within the criminal justice system
B. Active metabolites and their toxicological significance
C. Legal requirements for maintaining sample integrity and traceability
D. blanks, duplicates, controls
Correct Answer: B
Full Explanation: (oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis) and Phase II (conjugation) metabolic
pathways: Active metabolites and their toxicological significance. Standard operating procedures
(SOPs), calibration, method validation, and quality control: blanks, duplicates, controls. A: This
describes “Introduction to Forensic Toxicology”, rather than the requested focus. C: This describes
“Chain of Custody and Evidence Management”, rather than the requested focus. D: This describes
“Standard operating procedures (SOPs), calibration, method validation, and quality control”, rather
than the requested focus.
4
Public Safety Arizona
Forensic Scientist I
Toxicology Exam Plan
,QUESTIONS
Question 1
A comparison covers “Appropriate matrices for postmortem and human
performance cases”, “Postmortem Toxicology Interpretation”, “Analytical
Instrumentation and Methodology”, “Volatiles Analysis”. Which association
preserves the correct relationship? Pay particular attention to the role of
“whole blood, plasma, serum, urine, vitreous humor, liver, gastric contents,
and alternative matrices (hair, oral fluid)”.
A. Appropriate matrices for postmortem and human performance cases — whole blood, plasma,
serum, urine, vitreous humor, liver, gastric contents, and alternative matrices (hair, oral fluid)
B. Appropriate matrices for postmortem and human performance cases — Liquid
Chromatography (LC) coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
C. Appropriate matrices for postmortem and human performance cases — Blood-to-water ratios
and calculation methodologies
D. Appropriate matrices for postmortem and human performance cases — Redistribution
phenomena (postmortem redistribution) and specimen site variation
Correct Answer: A
Full Explanation: Appropriate matrices for postmortem and human performance cases: whole
blood, plasma, serum, urine, vitreous humor, liver, gastric contents, and alternative matrices (hair,
oral fluid). B: This option instead describes the following different focus: Analytical Instrumentation
and Methodology: Liquid Chromatography (LC) coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry
(LC-MS/MS). C: This option instead describes the following different focus: Volatiles Analysis:
Blood-to-water ratios and calculation methodologies. D: This option instead describes the following
different focus: Postmortem Toxicology Interpretation: Redistribution phenomena (postmortem
redistribution) and specimen site variation.
2
,QUESTIONS
Question 2
Among these proposed associations for “Sample Preparation Techniques”,
“Postmortem Toxicology Interpretation”, “Volatiles Analysis”, “Specimen
Collection and Selection”, which one is consistent? Pay particular attention to
the role of “Preservation agents, anticoagulants, and collection container
requirements”.
A. Specimen Collection and Selection — Blood-to-water ratios and calculation methodologies
B. Specimen Collection and Selection — Correlation of findings with autopsy results, scene
investigations, and medical history
C. Specimen Collection and Selection — Preservation agents, anticoagulants, and collection
container requirements
D. Specimen Collection and Selection — Protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), and
solid-phase extraction (SPE) principles
Correct Answer: C
Full Explanation: Specimen Collection and Selection: Preservation agents, anticoagulants, and
collection container requirements. A: This option instead describes the following different focus:
Volatiles Analysis: Blood-to-water ratios and calculation methodologies. B: This option instead
describes the following different focus: Postmortem Toxicology Interpretation: Correlation of
findings with autopsy results, scene investigations, and medical history. D: This option instead
describes the following different focus: Sample Preparation Techniques: Protein precipitation,
liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), and solid-phase extraction (SPE) principles.
3
, QUESTIONS
Question 3
A coordinated review separates “Legal standards for admissibility of scientific
evidence (Daubert and Frye standards)”, “identification of toxicants,
establishing contribution to death, impairment evaluation, and exposure
verification”, and “Procedures for evidence intake, documentation, secure
storage, tracking, and final disposition”. Which ordered assignment avoids
switching their roles?
A. Rules of Evidence and Expert Testimony → Core objectives → Chain of Custody and Evidence
Management
B. Chain of Custody and Evidence Management → Core objectives → Rules of Evidence and
Expert Testimony
C. Core objectives → Rules of Evidence and Expert Testimony → Chain of Custody and Evidence
Management
D. Rules of Evidence and Expert Testimony → Chain of Custody and Evidence Management →
Core objectives
Correct Answer: A
Full Explanation: Rules of Evidence and Expert Testimony: Legal standards for admissibility of
scientific evidence (Daubert and Frye standards). Core objectives: identification of toxicants,
establishing contribution to death, impairment evaluation, and exposure verification. Chain of
Custody and Evidence Management: Procedures for evidence intake, documentation, secure
storage, tracking, and final disposition. B: Positions 1, 3 do not preserve the corresponding
task-to-focus relationships. C: Positions 1, 2 do not preserve the corresponding task-to-focus
relationships. D: Positions 2, 3 do not preserve the corresponding task-to-focus relationships.
Question 4
A two-part review must address “Standard operating procedures (SOPs),
calibration, method validation, and quality control” and “(oxidation, reduction,
hydrolysis) and Phase II (conjugation) metabolic pathways”. The first part
already covers “blanks, duplicates, controls”. Which task should complete the
second part?
A. Role and responsibilities of the forensic scientist within the criminal justice system
B. Active metabolites and their toxicological significance
C. Legal requirements for maintaining sample integrity and traceability
D. blanks, duplicates, controls
Correct Answer: B
Full Explanation: (oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis) and Phase II (conjugation) metabolic
pathways: Active metabolites and their toxicological significance. Standard operating procedures
(SOPs), calibration, method validation, and quality control: blanks, duplicates, controls. A: This
describes “Introduction to Forensic Toxicology”, rather than the requested focus. C: This describes
“Chain of Custody and Evidence Management”, rather than the requested focus. D: This describes
“Standard operating procedures (SOPs), calibration, method validation, and quality control”, rather
than the requested focus.
4
