Page | 1
FORENSICS MIDTERM QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
Science Ans: a body of knowledge
Induction Ans: a inferential method by which a conclusion is drawn
based on observations made accepting that the conclusion may be wrong
Deduction Ans: An inferential method which starts from a general
statement or hypothesis and reaches a specific logical conclusion
What is the primary goal of the course on Quality Assurance in Forensic
Science? Ans: To understand the role of quality assurance in forensic
science and the importance of accurate and reliable results.
What are the three processes to achieve objectivity in forensic science?
Ans: Individualization, Identification, and Classification.
What does individualization in forensic science refer to? Ans: Assigning
an item of evidence to a class of one, identifying it to the exclusion of all
others.
How does identification differ from individualization in forensic science?
Ans: Identification determines what an item is and how much of it exists,
making it more attainable than individualization.
What is classification in the context of forensic science? Ans: Assigning
an item to a smaller class, which is more attainable than
individualization.
What are the two basic types of testing in forensic science? Ans:
Analytical tests (qualitative and quantitative) and Functional tests
(comparative tests).
What is the distinction between a Forensic Scientist and a Forensic
Practitioner? Ans: A Forensic Scientist relies on scientific knowledge and
methods to resolve legal disputes, while a Forensic Practitioner practices
a forensic science that may not adhere to traditional scientific standards.
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What must the presentation of evidence in forensic science ensure? Ans:
That the expert's evidence is independent, unbiased, impartial, and
objective, complying with legal, scientific, and quality standards.
According to the Federal Rules of Evidence (702), what are the criteria for
an expert's opinion? Ans: The opinion must help understand evidence,
be based on sufficient facts, be the product of reliable principles, and be
reliably applied to the case facts.
What is the role of Standards Developing Organizations (SDOs) in quality
assurance? Ans: SDOs, like ISO, establish standards that provide
guidelines for achieving quality in various contexts.
What is ISO Ans: International Organization for Standardization
How does ISO define quality? Ans: The degree to which a set of inherent
characteristics of an object fulfills requirements.
What is a standard? Ans: A document established by consensus and
approved by a recognized body that provides for common and repeated
use, rule, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results
What is the significance of 'fit for purpose' in quality assurance? Ans: It
assesses whether a standard meets the necessary requirements and
stakeholder needs.
What are the three types of standards characterized in quality assurance?
Ans: Professional standards (e.g., code of conduct), occupational
standards (what needs to be done), and procedural standards (how tasks
should be completed).
What is the difference between accreditation and certification? Ans:
Accreditation is a formal demonstration of competence by a third-party
body, while certification is the process of confirming that an organization
meets specific standards.
What does quality management in forensic science encompass? Ans: It
combines reactive and proactive processes, including quality control (QC)
and quality assurance (QA), to ensure compliance with recognized
standards.
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What does the term '6 sigma' refer to in quality assurance? Ans: A
quality management method that aims for no more than 0.34
nonconforming products per 1000.
What is metrology in the context of forensic science? Ans: The science
of measurement, which includes accuracy, validation, reliability, and error
assessment.
What is cognitive bias and how does it affect forensic science? Ans: The
inherent thinking errors that humans make in processing information
What is Bias? Ans: A particular tendency or inclination, especially one
that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question
What are the inherent characteristics that define quality in forensic
science? Ans: Competence of the organization, competence of the
individual, and validity of methods employed.
What is the significance of the NRC report in the context of forensic
science? Ans: It evaluates the scientific validity and standards in
forensic practices.
What is the role of quality assurance in forensic science? Ans: To ensure
that forensic science providers offer services compliant with recognized
international standards, assuring the reliability of scientific information.
what is processing? Ans: Other cognitive biases are a "by-product" of
human processing limitations, resulting from a lack of appropriate mental
mechanisms or simply from a limited capacity for information processing
What is chunking in cognitive processing? Ans: The brain's attempt to
process information efficiently by compressing data, which can lead to
loss of structure and control.
What are cognitive trade-offs? Ans: The impact of context on
perception, affecting the categorization of relevant versus non-relevant
information.
How can cognitive biases affect crime scene analysis? Ans: They may
lead to faster decisions that prioritize timeliness over accuracy.
FORENSICS MIDTERM QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
Science Ans: a body of knowledge
Induction Ans: a inferential method by which a conclusion is drawn
based on observations made accepting that the conclusion may be wrong
Deduction Ans: An inferential method which starts from a general
statement or hypothesis and reaches a specific logical conclusion
What is the primary goal of the course on Quality Assurance in Forensic
Science? Ans: To understand the role of quality assurance in forensic
science and the importance of accurate and reliable results.
What are the three processes to achieve objectivity in forensic science?
Ans: Individualization, Identification, and Classification.
What does individualization in forensic science refer to? Ans: Assigning
an item of evidence to a class of one, identifying it to the exclusion of all
others.
How does identification differ from individualization in forensic science?
Ans: Identification determines what an item is and how much of it exists,
making it more attainable than individualization.
What is classification in the context of forensic science? Ans: Assigning
an item to a smaller class, which is more attainable than
individualization.
What are the two basic types of testing in forensic science? Ans:
Analytical tests (qualitative and quantitative) and Functional tests
(comparative tests).
What is the distinction between a Forensic Scientist and a Forensic
Practitioner? Ans: A Forensic Scientist relies on scientific knowledge and
methods to resolve legal disputes, while a Forensic Practitioner practices
a forensic science that may not adhere to traditional scientific standards.
, Page | 2
What must the presentation of evidence in forensic science ensure? Ans:
That the expert's evidence is independent, unbiased, impartial, and
objective, complying with legal, scientific, and quality standards.
According to the Federal Rules of Evidence (702), what are the criteria for
an expert's opinion? Ans: The opinion must help understand evidence,
be based on sufficient facts, be the product of reliable principles, and be
reliably applied to the case facts.
What is the role of Standards Developing Organizations (SDOs) in quality
assurance? Ans: SDOs, like ISO, establish standards that provide
guidelines for achieving quality in various contexts.
What is ISO Ans: International Organization for Standardization
How does ISO define quality? Ans: The degree to which a set of inherent
characteristics of an object fulfills requirements.
What is a standard? Ans: A document established by consensus and
approved by a recognized body that provides for common and repeated
use, rule, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results
What is the significance of 'fit for purpose' in quality assurance? Ans: It
assesses whether a standard meets the necessary requirements and
stakeholder needs.
What are the three types of standards characterized in quality assurance?
Ans: Professional standards (e.g., code of conduct), occupational
standards (what needs to be done), and procedural standards (how tasks
should be completed).
What is the difference between accreditation and certification? Ans:
Accreditation is a formal demonstration of competence by a third-party
body, while certification is the process of confirming that an organization
meets specific standards.
What does quality management in forensic science encompass? Ans: It
combines reactive and proactive processes, including quality control (QC)
and quality assurance (QA), to ensure compliance with recognized
standards.
, Page | 3
What does the term '6 sigma' refer to in quality assurance? Ans: A
quality management method that aims for no more than 0.34
nonconforming products per 1000.
What is metrology in the context of forensic science? Ans: The science
of measurement, which includes accuracy, validation, reliability, and error
assessment.
What is cognitive bias and how does it affect forensic science? Ans: The
inherent thinking errors that humans make in processing information
What is Bias? Ans: A particular tendency or inclination, especially one
that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question
What are the inherent characteristics that define quality in forensic
science? Ans: Competence of the organization, competence of the
individual, and validity of methods employed.
What is the significance of the NRC report in the context of forensic
science? Ans: It evaluates the scientific validity and standards in
forensic practices.
What is the role of quality assurance in forensic science? Ans: To ensure
that forensic science providers offer services compliant with recognized
international standards, assuring the reliability of scientific information.
what is processing? Ans: Other cognitive biases are a "by-product" of
human processing limitations, resulting from a lack of appropriate mental
mechanisms or simply from a limited capacity for information processing
What is chunking in cognitive processing? Ans: The brain's attempt to
process information efficiently by compressing data, which can lead to
loss of structure and control.
What are cognitive trade-offs? Ans: The impact of context on
perception, affecting the categorization of relevant versus non-relevant
information.
How can cognitive biases affect crime scene analysis? Ans: They may
lead to faster decisions that prioritize timeliness over accuracy.
