FIS 201 – Study Guide and Practice Questions (WVU)
Describe how forensic science uses the scientific method. What hypotheses are tested? How do
scientists remain ethical when describing their findings, even when they are wrong? - ANS✔✔
1. Observe something in the context of a crime.
That looks like a shoeprint
2. Ask: How is this something related to a crime?
Is it the suspect's shoe? Does a General Rule apply?
Test the hypothesis "Yes it does",
3.Compare the tiny features of the suspect's shoe with the pattern on the floor
4. State what we have discovered, and the limits of that work.
The shoe is the same size and has the same sole design, but there are wear marks in the pattern
that aren't present on the shoe.
5.Conclusion
Match different kinds of evidence with the specialists who handle them. - ANS✔✔ 1.Biology &
Medicine-
Serology - Body Fluid Identification
Pathology - Trauma to the body (nonfatal)
DNA Analysis - Identification based on genetics
2.Death Investigation-
Pathology - The body & damage to it
Anthropology - Skeletal identification
Odontology - Dentition and bite marks
Entomology - Insects on bodies
3.Criminalists-
Shoe prints
, Fingerprints
Blood spatter
Firearms
Hairs
Fibers
Questioned Documents
4.Forensic Chemistry-
Drug Identification
Toxicology: Drugs in the body
Arson & Explosive Identification
Trace evidence: Paint, glass, hairs, fibers
5.Digital Forensics-
Recovery of digital evidence
Video imaging & enhancement
Speaker identification
Biometrics
6. Criminology-
Application of psychology and sociology
Tries to explain the causes of crime
Studies optimum policing and community response to crime.
Recognize a falsifiable hypothesis. Why is it important? - ANS✔✔ Falsifiability-To be scientifically
valid, any hypothesis must be able to be disproved through empirical observation (see: Karl
Popper)
We then accept hypothesis until disproven.
Describe how forensic science uses the scientific method. What hypotheses are tested? How do
scientists remain ethical when describing their findings, even when they are wrong? - ANS✔✔
1. Observe something in the context of a crime.
That looks like a shoeprint
2. Ask: How is this something related to a crime?
Is it the suspect's shoe? Does a General Rule apply?
Test the hypothesis "Yes it does",
3.Compare the tiny features of the suspect's shoe with the pattern on the floor
4. State what we have discovered, and the limits of that work.
The shoe is the same size and has the same sole design, but there are wear marks in the pattern
that aren't present on the shoe.
5.Conclusion
Match different kinds of evidence with the specialists who handle them. - ANS✔✔ 1.Biology &
Medicine-
Serology - Body Fluid Identification
Pathology - Trauma to the body (nonfatal)
DNA Analysis - Identification based on genetics
2.Death Investigation-
Pathology - The body & damage to it
Anthropology - Skeletal identification
Odontology - Dentition and bite marks
Entomology - Insects on bodies
3.Criminalists-
Shoe prints
, Fingerprints
Blood spatter
Firearms
Hairs
Fibers
Questioned Documents
4.Forensic Chemistry-
Drug Identification
Toxicology: Drugs in the body
Arson & Explosive Identification
Trace evidence: Paint, glass, hairs, fibers
5.Digital Forensics-
Recovery of digital evidence
Video imaging & enhancement
Speaker identification
Biometrics
6. Criminology-
Application of psychology and sociology
Tries to explain the causes of crime
Studies optimum policing and community response to crime.
Recognize a falsifiable hypothesis. Why is it important? - ANS✔✔ Falsifiability-To be scientifically
valid, any hypothesis must be able to be disproved through empirical observation (see: Karl
Popper)
We then accept hypothesis until disproven.
