Forensic Science Fundamentals &
Investigations 3rd Edition Vocabulary
Exam 2026 Questions and Answers
Graded A+
abrasion mark - Correct answer-a mark produced when a surface slides across
another surface
ADH (accumulated degree hours) - Correct answer-number of hours at an adjusted
average temperature it takes for an insect species to develop to a given stage
acute poisoning - Correct answer-a high dose over a short period of time
addiction - Correct answer-a physical process associated with drug use whereby a
person craves a drug; failure to take the drug can result in withdrawal symptoms
adhesion - Correct answer-An attraction between molecules of different substances
adipocere - Correct answer-fatty substance occurring in corpses left in moist areas
agglutination - Correct answer-Clumping of microorganisms or blood cells,
typically due to an antigen-antibody interaction.
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,algor mortis - Correct answer-The cooling of the body after death
allele - Correct answer-An alternative form of a gene
amorphous - Correct answer-shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type
or character; without organization, unity, or cohesion
ammunition - Correct answer-any material fired from a pistol or long gun
angiosperm - Correct answer-a flowering plant that produces seeds within a fruit
angle of impact - Correct answer-angle at which blood strikes a target surface
relative to the horizontal plane of the target surface
antemortem - Correct answer-before death
arch - Correct answer-a fingerprint pattern in which the ridge pattern originates
from one side of the print and leaves from the other side
area of convergence - Correct answer-a two-dimensional view of the intersection of
lines formed by drawing a line through the main axis of at least two drops of blood
that indicates the general area of the source of the blood spatter
area of origin - Correct answer-the location of a blood source viewed in three
dimensions as determined by projecting angles of impact of individual bloodstains
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,assemblage - Correct answer-a group of plant species in an area dominated by one
species that share the same habitat requirements
autolysis - Correct answer-the breakdown of cells as they self-digest
automatic firearm - Correct answer-a firearm that continuously fires ammunition as
long as the trigger is held
backscatter - Correct answer-fragments of glass left on the side of an impact
ballistic evidence - Correct answer-evidence associated with the discharge of a
projectile from a firearm
ballistic examiner - Correct answer-a person certified to analyze and provide expert
witness testimony on ballistic evidence
ballistics - Correct answer-the study of the dynamics or flight characteristics of
projectiles
becke line - Correct answer-a halo-like ring that appears around the edge of glass
when placed in a liquid medium with a refractive index that differs from the
refractive index of the glass
biological profile - Correct answer-estimation of the deceased's sex, age, stature,
and ancestry, along with diseases and injuries, as derived from analysis of skeletal
remains
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, biometrics - Correct answer-uses measurements and statistical analyses of
someone's physical characteristics to aid in their identification
breech - Correct answer-the end of the barrel attached to the firing mechanism of a
firearm where the cartridge is loaded and unloaded
breech block - Correct answer-a metal block that closes the aperture at the back
part of a rifle or gun barrel
breech block impression - Correct answer-the impression created on the bottom of
the cartridge casing as a result of the backward strike of the casing against the
breech block at the moment of firing
bullet - Correct answer-the projectile that is released when a firearm is discharged
bulletproof glass - Correct answer-combination of 2 or more types (one hard and
one soft), soft layer can flex instead of shatter, up to 3 inches thick, common usage
in windows of business buildings
caliber - Correct answer-the inside diameter of a firearm barrel
cartilage - Correct answer-connective tissue between bones that reduces friction
cartridge - Correct answer-a case that holds a bullet, primer powder, and
gunpowder
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Investigations 3rd Edition Vocabulary
Exam 2026 Questions and Answers
Graded A+
abrasion mark - Correct answer-a mark produced when a surface slides across
another surface
ADH (accumulated degree hours) - Correct answer-number of hours at an adjusted
average temperature it takes for an insect species to develop to a given stage
acute poisoning - Correct answer-a high dose over a short period of time
addiction - Correct answer-a physical process associated with drug use whereby a
person craves a drug; failure to take the drug can result in withdrawal symptoms
adhesion - Correct answer-An attraction between molecules of different substances
adipocere - Correct answer-fatty substance occurring in corpses left in moist areas
agglutination - Correct answer-Clumping of microorganisms or blood cells,
typically due to an antigen-antibody interaction.
©COPYRIGHT 2025,ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,algor mortis - Correct answer-The cooling of the body after death
allele - Correct answer-An alternative form of a gene
amorphous - Correct answer-shapeless, without definite form; of no particular type
or character; without organization, unity, or cohesion
ammunition - Correct answer-any material fired from a pistol or long gun
angiosperm - Correct answer-a flowering plant that produces seeds within a fruit
angle of impact - Correct answer-angle at which blood strikes a target surface
relative to the horizontal plane of the target surface
antemortem - Correct answer-before death
arch - Correct answer-a fingerprint pattern in which the ridge pattern originates
from one side of the print and leaves from the other side
area of convergence - Correct answer-a two-dimensional view of the intersection of
lines formed by drawing a line through the main axis of at least two drops of blood
that indicates the general area of the source of the blood spatter
area of origin - Correct answer-the location of a blood source viewed in three
dimensions as determined by projecting angles of impact of individual bloodstains
©COPYRIGHT 2025,ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,assemblage - Correct answer-a group of plant species in an area dominated by one
species that share the same habitat requirements
autolysis - Correct answer-the breakdown of cells as they self-digest
automatic firearm - Correct answer-a firearm that continuously fires ammunition as
long as the trigger is held
backscatter - Correct answer-fragments of glass left on the side of an impact
ballistic evidence - Correct answer-evidence associated with the discharge of a
projectile from a firearm
ballistic examiner - Correct answer-a person certified to analyze and provide expert
witness testimony on ballistic evidence
ballistics - Correct answer-the study of the dynamics or flight characteristics of
projectiles
becke line - Correct answer-a halo-like ring that appears around the edge of glass
when placed in a liquid medium with a refractive index that differs from the
refractive index of the glass
biological profile - Correct answer-estimation of the deceased's sex, age, stature,
and ancestry, along with diseases and injuries, as derived from analysis of skeletal
remains
©COPYRIGHT 2025,ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, biometrics - Correct answer-uses measurements and statistical analyses of
someone's physical characteristics to aid in their identification
breech - Correct answer-the end of the barrel attached to the firing mechanism of a
firearm where the cartridge is loaded and unloaded
breech block - Correct answer-a metal block that closes the aperture at the back
part of a rifle or gun barrel
breech block impression - Correct answer-the impression created on the bottom of
the cartridge casing as a result of the backward strike of the casing against the
breech block at the moment of firing
bullet - Correct answer-the projectile that is released when a firearm is discharged
bulletproof glass - Correct answer-combination of 2 or more types (one hard and
one soft), soft layer can flex instead of shatter, up to 3 inches thick, common usage
in windows of business buildings
caliber - Correct answer-the inside diameter of a firearm barrel
cartilage - Correct answer-connective tissue between bones that reduces friction
cartridge - Correct answer-a case that holds a bullet, primer powder, and
gunpowder
©COPYRIGHT 2025,ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
