Arizona Department of
Public Safety Arizona
Forensic Scientist III - IV
(DNA) Exam Plan
,QUESTIONS
Question 1
Two responsibilities must remain distinct: “Separation and Detection
Technologies” and “Identification and characterization of biological fluids”.
Which first/second pairing preserves their roles?
A. First: blood, semen, saliva, urine, and vaginal secretions; second: Principles of Capillary
Electrophoresis (CE) using genetic analyzers
B. First: blood, semen, saliva, urine, and vaginal secretions; second: blood, semen, saliva, urine,
and vaginal secretions
C. First: Principles of Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) using genetic analyzers; second: Principles
of Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) using genetic analyzers
D. First: Principles of Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) using genetic analyzers; second: blood,
semen, saliva, urine, and vaginal secretions
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: Separation and Detection Technologies: Principles of Capillary Electrophoresis
(CE) using genetic analyzers. Identification and characterization of biological fluids: blood, semen,
saliva, urine, and vaginal secretions. A: The two roles are reversed: the first assignment belongs
with the second focus, and vice versa. B: Repeating the second assignment does not address the
first requirement. C: Repeating the first assignment leaves the second requirement without its own
matching focus.
2
,QUESTIONS
Question 2
One of the following notes confuses the roles of “Forensic Biology and Serology
Principles”, “Courtroom Testimony, Legal Standards, and Ethics”, “Statistical
calculations for forensic DNA evidence”, “Molecular Biology and Genetics
Fundamentals”. Which note is inconsistent? Pay particular attention to the role
of “Random Match Probability (RMP), Combined Probability of
Inclusion/Exclusion (CPI/CPE), and Likelihood Ratios (LR)”.
A. Forensic Biology and Serology Principles — Species identification testing (human vs.
non-human origin)
B. Statistical calculations for forensic DNA evidence — Rules of evidence and legal standards for
admissibility of scientific evidence (Frye standard and Daubert standard)
C. Molecular Biology and Genetics Fundamentals — Human genetic variation, population
genetics, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium principles
D. Courtroom Testimony, Legal Standards, and Ethics — Rules of evidence and legal standards
for admissibility of scientific evidence (Frye standard and Daubert standard)
Correct Answer: B
Full Explanation: The note requiring correction assigns the second focus’s activity to the first
focus. Statistical calculations for forensic DNA evidence: Random Match Probability (RMP),
Combined Probability of Inclusion/Exclusion (CPI/CPE), and Likelihood Ratios (LR). Courtroom
Testimony, Legal Standards, and Ethics: Rules of evidence and legal standards for admissibility of
scientific evidence (Frye standard and Daubert standard). A: This association is consistent:
Forensic Biology and Serology Principles: Species identification testing (human vs. non-human
origin). C: This association is consistent: Molecular Biology and Genetics Fundamentals: Human
genetic variation, population genetics, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium principles. D: This
association is consistent: Courtroom Testimony, Legal Standards, and Ethics: Rules of evidence
and legal standards for admissibility of scientific evidence (Frye standard and Daubert standard).
Question 3
Distinguish “Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Amplification” from
“Molecular Biology and Genetics Fundamentals”. Which task most directly
addresses the former?
A. Sex-typing markers (Amelogenin and alternative Y-chromosome markers)
B. Identification and characterization of biological fluids (blood, semen, saliva, urine, and
vaginal secretions)
C. Structure and properties of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
D. Cell biology, cellular lysis mechanisms, and nucleic acid stabilization
Correct Answer: A
Full Explanation: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Amplification: Sex-typing markers
(Amelogenin and alternative Y-chromosome markers). Molecular Biology and Genetics
Fundamentals: Cell biology, cellular lysis mechanisms, and nucleic acid stabilization. B: This
describes “Forensic Biology and Serology Principles”, rather than the requested focus. C: This
describes “Molecular Biology and Genetics Fundamentals”, rather than the requested focus. D:
This describes “Molecular Biology and Genetics Fundamentals”, rather than the requested focus.
3
, QUESTIONS
Question 4
A comparison covers “Molecular Biology and Genetics Fundamentals”, “DNA
Extraction and Quantification Techniques”, “Quality Assurance, Quality Control,
and Accreditation”, “Forensic Biology and Serology Principles”. Which
association preserves the correct relationship? Pay particular attention to the
role of “Chain of custody management, contamination control, and laboratory
cleanliness protocols”.
A. Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Accreditation — Assessment of DNA yield, quality,
and degradation levels prior to amplification
B. Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Accreditation — Identification and characterization of
biological fluids (blood, semen, saliva, urine, and vaginal secretions)
C. Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Accreditation — Cell biology, cellular lysis
mechanisms, and nucleic acid stabilization
D. Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Accreditation — Chain of custody management,
contamination control, and laboratory cleanliness protocols
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Accreditation: Chain of custody
management, contamination control, and laboratory cleanliness protocols. A: This option instead
describes the following different focus: DNA Extraction and Quantification Techniques: Assessment
of DNA yield, quality, and degradation levels prior to amplification. B: This option instead describes
the following different focus: Forensic Biology and Serology Principles: Identification and
characterization of biological fluids (blood, semen, saliva, urine, and vaginal secretions). C: This
option instead describes the following different focus: Molecular Biology and Genetics
Fundamentals: Cell biology, cellular lysis mechanisms, and nucleic acid stabilization.
4
Public Safety Arizona
Forensic Scientist III - IV
(DNA) Exam Plan
,QUESTIONS
Question 1
Two responsibilities must remain distinct: “Separation and Detection
Technologies” and “Identification and characterization of biological fluids”.
Which first/second pairing preserves their roles?
A. First: blood, semen, saliva, urine, and vaginal secretions; second: Principles of Capillary
Electrophoresis (CE) using genetic analyzers
B. First: blood, semen, saliva, urine, and vaginal secretions; second: blood, semen, saliva, urine,
and vaginal secretions
C. First: Principles of Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) using genetic analyzers; second: Principles
of Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) using genetic analyzers
D. First: Principles of Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) using genetic analyzers; second: blood,
semen, saliva, urine, and vaginal secretions
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: Separation and Detection Technologies: Principles of Capillary Electrophoresis
(CE) using genetic analyzers. Identification and characterization of biological fluids: blood, semen,
saliva, urine, and vaginal secretions. A: The two roles are reversed: the first assignment belongs
with the second focus, and vice versa. B: Repeating the second assignment does not address the
first requirement. C: Repeating the first assignment leaves the second requirement without its own
matching focus.
2
,QUESTIONS
Question 2
One of the following notes confuses the roles of “Forensic Biology and Serology
Principles”, “Courtroom Testimony, Legal Standards, and Ethics”, “Statistical
calculations for forensic DNA evidence”, “Molecular Biology and Genetics
Fundamentals”. Which note is inconsistent? Pay particular attention to the role
of “Random Match Probability (RMP), Combined Probability of
Inclusion/Exclusion (CPI/CPE), and Likelihood Ratios (LR)”.
A. Forensic Biology and Serology Principles — Species identification testing (human vs.
non-human origin)
B. Statistical calculations for forensic DNA evidence — Rules of evidence and legal standards for
admissibility of scientific evidence (Frye standard and Daubert standard)
C. Molecular Biology and Genetics Fundamentals — Human genetic variation, population
genetics, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium principles
D. Courtroom Testimony, Legal Standards, and Ethics — Rules of evidence and legal standards
for admissibility of scientific evidence (Frye standard and Daubert standard)
Correct Answer: B
Full Explanation: The note requiring correction assigns the second focus’s activity to the first
focus. Statistical calculations for forensic DNA evidence: Random Match Probability (RMP),
Combined Probability of Inclusion/Exclusion (CPI/CPE), and Likelihood Ratios (LR). Courtroom
Testimony, Legal Standards, and Ethics: Rules of evidence and legal standards for admissibility of
scientific evidence (Frye standard and Daubert standard). A: This association is consistent:
Forensic Biology and Serology Principles: Species identification testing (human vs. non-human
origin). C: This association is consistent: Molecular Biology and Genetics Fundamentals: Human
genetic variation, population genetics, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium principles. D: This
association is consistent: Courtroom Testimony, Legal Standards, and Ethics: Rules of evidence
and legal standards for admissibility of scientific evidence (Frye standard and Daubert standard).
Question 3
Distinguish “Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Amplification” from
“Molecular Biology and Genetics Fundamentals”. Which task most directly
addresses the former?
A. Sex-typing markers (Amelogenin and alternative Y-chromosome markers)
B. Identification and characterization of biological fluids (blood, semen, saliva, urine, and
vaginal secretions)
C. Structure and properties of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
D. Cell biology, cellular lysis mechanisms, and nucleic acid stabilization
Correct Answer: A
Full Explanation: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Amplification: Sex-typing markers
(Amelogenin and alternative Y-chromosome markers). Molecular Biology and Genetics
Fundamentals: Cell biology, cellular lysis mechanisms, and nucleic acid stabilization. B: This
describes “Forensic Biology and Serology Principles”, rather than the requested focus. C: This
describes “Molecular Biology and Genetics Fundamentals”, rather than the requested focus. D:
This describes “Molecular Biology and Genetics Fundamentals”, rather than the requested focus.
3
, QUESTIONS
Question 4
A comparison covers “Molecular Biology and Genetics Fundamentals”, “DNA
Extraction and Quantification Techniques”, “Quality Assurance, Quality Control,
and Accreditation”, “Forensic Biology and Serology Principles”. Which
association preserves the correct relationship? Pay particular attention to the
role of “Chain of custody management, contamination control, and laboratory
cleanliness protocols”.
A. Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Accreditation — Assessment of DNA yield, quality,
and degradation levels prior to amplification
B. Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Accreditation — Identification and characterization of
biological fluids (blood, semen, saliva, urine, and vaginal secretions)
C. Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Accreditation — Cell biology, cellular lysis
mechanisms, and nucleic acid stabilization
D. Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Accreditation — Chain of custody management,
contamination control, and laboratory cleanliness protocols
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Accreditation: Chain of custody
management, contamination control, and laboratory cleanliness protocols. A: This option instead
describes the following different focus: DNA Extraction and Quantification Techniques: Assessment
of DNA yield, quality, and degradation levels prior to amplification. B: This option instead describes
the following different focus: Forensic Biology and Serology Principles: Identification and
characterization of biological fluids (blood, semen, saliva, urine, and vaginal secretions). C: This
option instead describes the following different focus: Molecular Biology and Genetics
Fundamentals: Cell biology, cellular lysis mechanisms, and nucleic acid stabilization.
4
