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FORENSICS MIDTERM QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
What do the following forensics specialties study? anthropology,
psychiatry, odontology, engineering, computer technology, pathology,
geology, environmental science, entomology, palynology, polygraphy,
voiceprint analysis Ans: 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
What are the major departments/ sections of a forensic crime lab and
what does each one specialize in? Ans: Physical science (including
chemistry, physics, and geology)
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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? Ans: 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
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?
Ans: 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. Ans: Infraction -a violation of a rule or law that is not
punishable by prison
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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 Ans: 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
What are Miranda Rights? Why are they so important to the legal
system? Ans: 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? Ans: 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? Ans:
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? Ans:
Probative - must prove something
Material - addresses an issue that is relevant to the particular crime
What is hearsay and why is it not admissible in court? Ans: Testimony
given by a witness who relates not what he or she heard, saw or knows
FORENSICS MIDTERM QUESTIONS WITH
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
What do the following forensics specialties study? anthropology,
psychiatry, odontology, engineering, computer technology, pathology,
geology, environmental science, entomology, palynology, polygraphy,
voiceprint analysis Ans: 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
What are the major departments/ sections of a forensic crime lab and
what does each one specialize in? Ans: Physical science (including
chemistry, physics, and geology)
, Page | 2
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? Ans: 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
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?
Ans: 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. Ans: Infraction -a violation of a rule or law that is not
punishable by prison
, Page | 3
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 Ans: 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
What are Miranda Rights? Why are they so important to the legal
system? Ans: 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? Ans: 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? Ans:
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? Ans:
Probative - must prove something
Material - addresses an issue that is relevant to the particular crime
What is hearsay and why is it not admissible in court? Ans: Testimony
given by a witness who relates not what he or she heard, saw or knows
