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What do the following forensics specialties study? anthropology, psychiatry, odontology,
engineering, computer technology, pathology, geology, environmental science, entomology,
palynology, polygraphy, voiceprint analysis *Anthropology* - analysis of human
decomposition
*Psychiatry* - look into the mind and motives of killers
*Odontology* - examination of bite marks and dental identification of corpses in forensics
*Engineering* - the study of crashes or failures of structures
*Computer technology* - evidence on computers
*Pathology* - investigation of sudden, unexplained or violent death
*Geology* - the study of rocks
*Environmental science* - how the weather impacts crime scenes and evidence
*Entomology* - study of insects
*Palynology* - study of pollen and spores
*Polygraphy* - the use of the "lie detector"
*Voiceprint analysis* - analysis of voice prints
, Forensics Midterm Questions And Answers
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What are the major departments/ sections of a forensic crime lab and what does each one
specialize in? Physical science (including chemistry, physics, and geology)
Biology- anything related to biology, such as DNA
Ballistics- study of firearms and bullets
Document examination- questioned documents
Photography- evidence photos
Toxicology and drug analysis- drug and poison analysis
Fingerprints- study of fingerprints
Trace evidence- transfer evidence
Where is the largest crime lab in the world? What other US agencies maintain crime labs and
what does each specialize in? The Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Drug Enforcement Agency- specializes in drug enforcement
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms- specializes in enforcement of alcohol, tobacco and firearms
United States Postal Service-specializes in delivering the mail and detecting problems related to
that
US Fish and Wildlife Service-specializes in wildlife and fish
, Forensics Midterm Questions And Answers
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Department of Homeland Security- specializes in terrorism and breaching of national safety
Department of Treasury- specializes in the finances of the country
What is the Locard Principle? Why is it so important to Forensic Science? Whenever two
objects come in contact with each other there is an exchange. It rules evidence in Forensics
Science and trace evidence.
Differentiate between infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies and give examples of each.
*Infraction* -a violation of a rule or law that is not punishable by prison
*Misdemeanor*- a minor crime, less than a felony, usually punished with a fine or confinement
other than in a prison
*Felony* - a serious crime, such as murder, punishable by more than one year of imprisonment
up to execution
Probable Cause Situation in which a reasonable and prudent person, viewing the available
information, would conclude that a crime has been committed and that the suspect has
committed it
, Forensics Midterm Questions And Answers
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What are Miranda Rights? Why are they so important to the legal system? Rights
guaranteed by the Constitution that police must tell arrestees about, especially the right to remain
silent and the right to an attorney.
They're important because it keeps the suspect from being able to say that the police forced them
into confessing to a crime they didn't commit.
What occurs during the arraignment, booking and grand jury portions of the legal system?
*Booking*- mug shot, fingerprints, basic data
*Arraignment*- defendant brought before the court to hear charges and enter a plea
*Grand Jury* - a group of people sworn to inquire into a crime and, if appropriate, bring
accusations against the suspected criminals
What is plea bargaining? Why would a defendant choose a plea bargain? Approximately how
many cases end with a plea bargain? Defendant and prosecution work out a deal. A
defendant would choose a plea bargain because it saves them the trouble of going to court and
the money. 90% of cases end in a plea bargain.
In reference to evidence, what do probative and material mean? *Probative* - must prove
something