FSC 406: Exam 1 Study Guide - CSI, NRC Report, Forensic
Pathology, and Forensic Serology questions with
verified answers
Can Virtopsy replace or complement autopsy? Ans✓✓✓ A comparative analysis
of the finding of Postmortem Computed Tomography Scan and Traditional
Autopsy in Traumatic Death: Is Technology Mutually Complementing or Exclusive?
o Postmortem CT scan is promising in reporting injuries in traumatic deaths and
can significantly complement the conventional autopsy.
§ However, at present, it cannot be considered as a replacement for traditional
autopsy.
Assessing the use of MRI Virtopsy as an alternative to autopsy: A systematic
Review and Meta-Analysis.
o MRI Virtopsy may offer a viable alternative to traditional autopsy. By using MRI
Virtopsy, a potential cost reduction of 33% is feasible, and therefore ought to be
considered in eligible patients.
Casey Anthony Ans✓✓✓ Caylee's mother, Cindy's daughter
Crime Scene Investigation Ans✓✓✓ The use of physical evidence at the scene of
the crime and the use of deductive and inductive reasoning to gain knowledge of
the events surrounding the crime.
Did the PCAST report find improvement? Ans✓✓✓ Not really. While it has some
differences, it is largely similar to the NRC report. This was only 2 years after the
start of OSAC.
,George and Cindy Anthony Ans✓✓✓ Casey's parents, Caylee's Grandparents
How did you die? Ans✓✓✓ · Cause and manner of death
· Autopsy (to see for oneself)
· Mortui Vivios Docent: The dead teach the living.
o Not always done (only 8.5% in 2007, 19.3% in 1972)
§ Because more people are dying in hospitals. Wishes/Beliefs by family.
o Not all are complete autopsies
How do Blood Examinations Aid Investigations? Ans✓✓✓ In location of the crime
scene:
o Identification of human blood of a similar group to that of the victim can
pinpoint the area for a crime scene search.
In determining the possible commission of a crime:
o Occasionally, the identification of human blood on a highway, sidewalk, porch,
or in a car is the first indication of a crime's occurrence.
In identifying the weapon used
o The grouping of human blood identified on a club, knife, or hammer can be
considerable investigative and prosecutive value.
In proving or disproving a suspect's alibi
o The findings of human blood on an item belonging to a suspect who claims an
animal as the blood source.
o The findings of animal blood can substantiate the claim of an innocent person.
,In eliminating suspects
o The determination by grouping tests that human blood on suspect items in
different from the victim's blood can facilitate the release of a suspect. Blood
found similar to the suspect's blood group can help to substantiate a suspect's
claim of having a nosebleed or other injury.
How do most burn victims die? Ans✓✓✓ Sepsis is the most common cause of
death.
How do you become qualified for CSI? Ans✓✓✓ · Earn BS/BA in a related field
· On the job training
· Earn CSI certifications
· Higher education for career achievement
How do you estimate the time of death? Ans✓✓✓ o Body temperature (algor
mortis).
o Rigor Mortis (muscles stiffen, temp. dependent, muscle fibers become cross-
linked and fused, ATP and glycogen depletion. First noticed 2-4 hours
postmortem, max 8-12 hours, remains through 12-24 hours. But large variations
from this timeline are observed.
o Insect action (forensic entomology)
o Stomach contents (stage of digestion)
o Last known activity (last sighting, newspaper/mail)
o Normal postmortem changes
, How is blood type described? Ans✓✓✓ Blood types are described by type and Rh
Factor.
Ex. O+ A+ or AB-
How is Forensic MRI/CT used for Facial Reconstruction? Ans✓✓✓ · The method
uses the tables combined with the warping of a 3D model of a reference scanned
head, until the relevant surface to bone distances are correct. Texture mapping is
used to provide colors and aesthetic features.
Importance of Investigator being given no background on a case Ans✓✓✓ More
information: More that I can focus on, but possible introduction of more bias.
Less information: Less bias involved, and still need to perform investigation the
same way.
Innocent Project? Ans✓✓✓ · One of the forces that led to more general
acceptance that much work is needed in forensic science, leading to NRC report.
o DNA evidence is becoming more affordable to test.
· 367 post-conviction exonerations, based on DNA evidence since 1992.
· A few additional exonerations based upon evidence other than DNA evidence.
· What if a case has no DNA evidence? Is wrongful conviction still possible?
o Of course.
· How many such cases are there?
o >90% of cases shave no DNA evidence.
· Is exoneration still possible?
o Yes, but it is harder.
Pathology, and Forensic Serology questions with
verified answers
Can Virtopsy replace or complement autopsy? Ans✓✓✓ A comparative analysis
of the finding of Postmortem Computed Tomography Scan and Traditional
Autopsy in Traumatic Death: Is Technology Mutually Complementing or Exclusive?
o Postmortem CT scan is promising in reporting injuries in traumatic deaths and
can significantly complement the conventional autopsy.
§ However, at present, it cannot be considered as a replacement for traditional
autopsy.
Assessing the use of MRI Virtopsy as an alternative to autopsy: A systematic
Review and Meta-Analysis.
o MRI Virtopsy may offer a viable alternative to traditional autopsy. By using MRI
Virtopsy, a potential cost reduction of 33% is feasible, and therefore ought to be
considered in eligible patients.
Casey Anthony Ans✓✓✓ Caylee's mother, Cindy's daughter
Crime Scene Investigation Ans✓✓✓ The use of physical evidence at the scene of
the crime and the use of deductive and inductive reasoning to gain knowledge of
the events surrounding the crime.
Did the PCAST report find improvement? Ans✓✓✓ Not really. While it has some
differences, it is largely similar to the NRC report. This was only 2 years after the
start of OSAC.
,George and Cindy Anthony Ans✓✓✓ Casey's parents, Caylee's Grandparents
How did you die? Ans✓✓✓ · Cause and manner of death
· Autopsy (to see for oneself)
· Mortui Vivios Docent: The dead teach the living.
o Not always done (only 8.5% in 2007, 19.3% in 1972)
§ Because more people are dying in hospitals. Wishes/Beliefs by family.
o Not all are complete autopsies
How do Blood Examinations Aid Investigations? Ans✓✓✓ In location of the crime
scene:
o Identification of human blood of a similar group to that of the victim can
pinpoint the area for a crime scene search.
In determining the possible commission of a crime:
o Occasionally, the identification of human blood on a highway, sidewalk, porch,
or in a car is the first indication of a crime's occurrence.
In identifying the weapon used
o The grouping of human blood identified on a club, knife, or hammer can be
considerable investigative and prosecutive value.
In proving or disproving a suspect's alibi
o The findings of human blood on an item belonging to a suspect who claims an
animal as the blood source.
o The findings of animal blood can substantiate the claim of an innocent person.
,In eliminating suspects
o The determination by grouping tests that human blood on suspect items in
different from the victim's blood can facilitate the release of a suspect. Blood
found similar to the suspect's blood group can help to substantiate a suspect's
claim of having a nosebleed or other injury.
How do most burn victims die? Ans✓✓✓ Sepsis is the most common cause of
death.
How do you become qualified for CSI? Ans✓✓✓ · Earn BS/BA in a related field
· On the job training
· Earn CSI certifications
· Higher education for career achievement
How do you estimate the time of death? Ans✓✓✓ o Body temperature (algor
mortis).
o Rigor Mortis (muscles stiffen, temp. dependent, muscle fibers become cross-
linked and fused, ATP and glycogen depletion. First noticed 2-4 hours
postmortem, max 8-12 hours, remains through 12-24 hours. But large variations
from this timeline are observed.
o Insect action (forensic entomology)
o Stomach contents (stage of digestion)
o Last known activity (last sighting, newspaper/mail)
o Normal postmortem changes
, How is blood type described? Ans✓✓✓ Blood types are described by type and Rh
Factor.
Ex. O+ A+ or AB-
How is Forensic MRI/CT used for Facial Reconstruction? Ans✓✓✓ · The method
uses the tables combined with the warping of a 3D model of a reference scanned
head, until the relevant surface to bone distances are correct. Texture mapping is
used to provide colors and aesthetic features.
Importance of Investigator being given no background on a case Ans✓✓✓ More
information: More that I can focus on, but possible introduction of more bias.
Less information: Less bias involved, and still need to perform investigation the
same way.
Innocent Project? Ans✓✓✓ · One of the forces that led to more general
acceptance that much work is needed in forensic science, leading to NRC report.
o DNA evidence is becoming more affordable to test.
· 367 post-conviction exonerations, based on DNA evidence since 1992.
· A few additional exonerations based upon evidence other than DNA evidence.
· What if a case has no DNA evidence? Is wrongful conviction still possible?
o Of course.
· How many such cases are there?
o >90% of cases shave no DNA evidence.
· Is exoneration still possible?
o Yes, but it is harder.
