HOSA Forensic Science Study
Guide Comprehensive
Questions (Frequently Tested)
with Verified Answers Graded
A+
Forensic History and Careers - Answer: -
Mathieu Orfila - Answer: (1787-1853) Founder of forensic toxicology, studied poisons and
worked on the Marie Lafarge poisoning case
Sir Francis Galton - Answer: (1822-1911) Developed the first classification system for
fingerprints, published the book Fingerprints in 1892 and described the loop, arch and whorl of
fingerprint patterns
Hans Gross - Answer: (1847-1915) A generalist who believed in diverse approaches to forensic
science and published the first forensic science textbook, Criminal Investigations, in 1893.
Victor Balthazard - Answer: (1852-1950) Paris Medical Examiner who advanced fingerprint,
firearm, and hair analysis, showed that fingerprints are unique to the 10^60 and used
photography to help identify bullets
,Alphonse Bertillon - Answer: (1853-1914) Developed anthropometry and was the first to solve a
case using fingerprints
Edmond Locard - Answer: (1877-1966) Established a forensic lab in Lyons France in 1910,
founded the Locard Exchange Principle and focused on trace evidence
Calvin Goddard - Answer: (1891-1955) Established the study of firearms evidence in the US,
established a variety of police labs in the US and invented the comparison scope.
Anthropometry - Answer: System of identification of suspects involving 11 body measurements
+ descriptions + photos
Criminalistics - Answer: Describes forensic analysis of physical evidence
Locard Exchange Principle - Answer: Every contact leaves a trace
Juan Vucetich - Answer: (1891) Began the first fingerprint files
The Henry Classification System - Answer: Classification for fingerprinting in all European
Countries
1 in 64 billion - Answer: Sir Francis Galton's odds for two fingerprints being the same
The Scientific Method - Answer: System in which forensic scientist work
The adversarial system - Answer: System in which lawyers work
, finder of fact - Answer: Judge or jury who determines "right" in a case
Civil Cases - Answer: Occur between individuals and must show a preponderance of evidence
(51%)
Criminal Cases - Answer: Occur when laws have been broken, the government in the prosecutor
and and guilt but be shown beyond a reasonable doubt (99%)
Felony - Answer: In a serious criminal case, the possibility of greater than 1 year in prison.
Misdemeanor - Answer: A minor criminal case, possibility of a fine or less than 1 year in prison.
vior dire - Answer: Qualifications of a scientist given in a court of law
subpoena - Answer: A statement requiring someone to appear in court and stating when and
where the trial will be held.
Gilbert Thomas - Answer: (1882) Who used fingerprints officially in the US for the first time
Dr. Henry Faulds - Answer: (1880) First to come up with a classification system based on
fingerprints
1892 - Answer: When the first criminal fingerprint identification was made
1901 - Answer: When the idea of fingerprinting was introduced to England/Wales
Guide Comprehensive
Questions (Frequently Tested)
with Verified Answers Graded
A+
Forensic History and Careers - Answer: -
Mathieu Orfila - Answer: (1787-1853) Founder of forensic toxicology, studied poisons and
worked on the Marie Lafarge poisoning case
Sir Francis Galton - Answer: (1822-1911) Developed the first classification system for
fingerprints, published the book Fingerprints in 1892 and described the loop, arch and whorl of
fingerprint patterns
Hans Gross - Answer: (1847-1915) A generalist who believed in diverse approaches to forensic
science and published the first forensic science textbook, Criminal Investigations, in 1893.
Victor Balthazard - Answer: (1852-1950) Paris Medical Examiner who advanced fingerprint,
firearm, and hair analysis, showed that fingerprints are unique to the 10^60 and used
photography to help identify bullets
,Alphonse Bertillon - Answer: (1853-1914) Developed anthropometry and was the first to solve a
case using fingerprints
Edmond Locard - Answer: (1877-1966) Established a forensic lab in Lyons France in 1910,
founded the Locard Exchange Principle and focused on trace evidence
Calvin Goddard - Answer: (1891-1955) Established the study of firearms evidence in the US,
established a variety of police labs in the US and invented the comparison scope.
Anthropometry - Answer: System of identification of suspects involving 11 body measurements
+ descriptions + photos
Criminalistics - Answer: Describes forensic analysis of physical evidence
Locard Exchange Principle - Answer: Every contact leaves a trace
Juan Vucetich - Answer: (1891) Began the first fingerprint files
The Henry Classification System - Answer: Classification for fingerprinting in all European
Countries
1 in 64 billion - Answer: Sir Francis Galton's odds for two fingerprints being the same
The Scientific Method - Answer: System in which forensic scientist work
The adversarial system - Answer: System in which lawyers work
, finder of fact - Answer: Judge or jury who determines "right" in a case
Civil Cases - Answer: Occur between individuals and must show a preponderance of evidence
(51%)
Criminal Cases - Answer: Occur when laws have been broken, the government in the prosecutor
and and guilt but be shown beyond a reasonable doubt (99%)
Felony - Answer: In a serious criminal case, the possibility of greater than 1 year in prison.
Misdemeanor - Answer: A minor criminal case, possibility of a fine or less than 1 year in prison.
vior dire - Answer: Qualifications of a scientist given in a court of law
subpoena - Answer: A statement requiring someone to appear in court and stating when and
where the trial will be held.
Gilbert Thomas - Answer: (1882) Who used fingerprints officially in the US for the first time
Dr. Henry Faulds - Answer: (1880) First to come up with a classification system based on
fingerprints
1892 - Answer: When the first criminal fingerprint identification was made
1901 - Answer: When the idea of fingerprinting was introduced to England/Wales
