P.L.T.W. Principles of Biomedical
Sciences (Semester 1 EOC) Exam
Questions and Answers
The five steps of crime scene processing. - Correct Answers -P.hotograph
I.nterview
E.vidence
E.xamine
S.ketch
Four things every sketch should include. - Correct Answers -Key, legend, scale, and
conditions.
Be able to read a scale and estimate distances using a scale. - Correct Answers -How
wide is the area and how far apart are things from one another.
Know what kind of information would go in a legend. - Correct Answers -Date, time,
location, and temperature.
Know the six methods of investigation and where they are best applied. - Correct
Answers -Link Method - Method seeking to find associations between evidence. Works
with large and small, indoor and outdoor crime scenes.
Line (Strip) Method - Members of the search team are arranged at regular intervals,
usually arm's length, and then proceed to search along straight lines. Used on large,
outdoor crime scenes.
Grid Method - Searchers follow the first line pattern and search in the same manner as
the line method. Once the first line is complete, searchers realign on the other line
pattern. Used on large, outdoor crime scenes.
Zone Method - Teams are assigned small zones for searching, and then other
appropriate searching methods are employed in each zone. Used on crime scenes that
are comprised of readily definable zones, such as in houses or buildings.
, Spiral Method (Inward or Outward) - Can either begin at critical point of crime scene
(outward spiral) or the outer-edge of the crime scene (inward spiral). Used on crime
scenes with no physical barriers such as open water, etc.
Wheel or Ray Method - Investigators start from a critical point and travel outward along
many straight lines from this point. Used on small, circular crime scenes.
Definition of Presumptive tests. - Correct Answers -Presumptive tests, such as
colorimetric tests, indicate which type of substance is present but cannot specifically
identify the substance.
Definition of Confirmatory tests. - Correct Answers -Confirmatory tests, such as gas
chromatography and mass spectrometry, are a specific tests that can determine the
exact identity of the substance.
Be familiar with the difference between presumptive and confirmatory tests. - Correct
Answers -A confirmatory test is only required when the presumptive test report is
positive for the substance; to confirm the substance's identity, or to measure the
percentage purity or other quantitative analysis. The presence of a substance, even
presence at a trace level, can be detected by a presumptive test.
Know the different major fingerprint ridge patterns. - Correct Answers -Loop, arch,
whorl.
Know which types of evidence can be positively used to identify a suspect. - Correct
Answers -Fingerprints, shoe prints, and hair samples and then comparing them to find
out who it belonged to. Hair, blood, and fingerprints are all DNA. DNA is the best type of
evidence. By comparing the DNA of the suspects and the DNA that was at the crime
scene, you can eliminate suspects and/or solve the crime.
Be able to use the Glaister Equation to estimate time of death when given the rectal
temperature of a body and the time the body was found. (Be able to apply the equation)
- Correct Answers -The Glaister Equation is one formula used to approximate the
postmortem interval , or time since death. Note: This equation uses degrees Fahrenheit.
Glastier Equation:
98.4 - Measured Rectal Temperature / 1.5 = Approximate Hours Since Death
Understand that the Glaister Equation may not be reliable in certain situations. (When
and when not to use the Glaister Equation) - Correct Answers -The Glaister Equation is
an APPROXIMATION. It is not 100% accurate all of the time. For example, if Anna had
died outside instead of inside her air conditioned house, would the Glaister Equation be
an appropriate model to use to determine her time of death? The answer is NO,
because the temperature is not a factor in the Glaister Equation.
Sciences (Semester 1 EOC) Exam
Questions and Answers
The five steps of crime scene processing. - Correct Answers -P.hotograph
I.nterview
E.vidence
E.xamine
S.ketch
Four things every sketch should include. - Correct Answers -Key, legend, scale, and
conditions.
Be able to read a scale and estimate distances using a scale. - Correct Answers -How
wide is the area and how far apart are things from one another.
Know what kind of information would go in a legend. - Correct Answers -Date, time,
location, and temperature.
Know the six methods of investigation and where they are best applied. - Correct
Answers -Link Method - Method seeking to find associations between evidence. Works
with large and small, indoor and outdoor crime scenes.
Line (Strip) Method - Members of the search team are arranged at regular intervals,
usually arm's length, and then proceed to search along straight lines. Used on large,
outdoor crime scenes.
Grid Method - Searchers follow the first line pattern and search in the same manner as
the line method. Once the first line is complete, searchers realign on the other line
pattern. Used on large, outdoor crime scenes.
Zone Method - Teams are assigned small zones for searching, and then other
appropriate searching methods are employed in each zone. Used on crime scenes that
are comprised of readily definable zones, such as in houses or buildings.
, Spiral Method (Inward or Outward) - Can either begin at critical point of crime scene
(outward spiral) or the outer-edge of the crime scene (inward spiral). Used on crime
scenes with no physical barriers such as open water, etc.
Wheel or Ray Method - Investigators start from a critical point and travel outward along
many straight lines from this point. Used on small, circular crime scenes.
Definition of Presumptive tests. - Correct Answers -Presumptive tests, such as
colorimetric tests, indicate which type of substance is present but cannot specifically
identify the substance.
Definition of Confirmatory tests. - Correct Answers -Confirmatory tests, such as gas
chromatography and mass spectrometry, are a specific tests that can determine the
exact identity of the substance.
Be familiar with the difference between presumptive and confirmatory tests. - Correct
Answers -A confirmatory test is only required when the presumptive test report is
positive for the substance; to confirm the substance's identity, or to measure the
percentage purity or other quantitative analysis. The presence of a substance, even
presence at a trace level, can be detected by a presumptive test.
Know the different major fingerprint ridge patterns. - Correct Answers -Loop, arch,
whorl.
Know which types of evidence can be positively used to identify a suspect. - Correct
Answers -Fingerprints, shoe prints, and hair samples and then comparing them to find
out who it belonged to. Hair, blood, and fingerprints are all DNA. DNA is the best type of
evidence. By comparing the DNA of the suspects and the DNA that was at the crime
scene, you can eliminate suspects and/or solve the crime.
Be able to use the Glaister Equation to estimate time of death when given the rectal
temperature of a body and the time the body was found. (Be able to apply the equation)
- Correct Answers -The Glaister Equation is one formula used to approximate the
postmortem interval , or time since death. Note: This equation uses degrees Fahrenheit.
Glastier Equation:
98.4 - Measured Rectal Temperature / 1.5 = Approximate Hours Since Death
Understand that the Glaister Equation may not be reliable in certain situations. (When
and when not to use the Glaister Equation) - Correct Answers -The Glaister Equation is
an APPROXIMATION. It is not 100% accurate all of the time. For example, if Anna had
died outside instead of inside her air conditioned house, would the Glaister Equation be
an appropriate model to use to determine her time of death? The answer is NO,
because the temperature is not a factor in the Glaister Equation.