Forensics Midterm Exam | Verified Exam Questions and Answers | Latest
Updated Study Material 2026
Question:
What do the following forensics specialties study? anthropology, psychiatry, odontology,
engineering, computer technology, pathology, geology, environmental science, entomology,
palynology, polygraphy, voiceprint analysis
Answer:
*Anthropology* -
analysis of human decomposition
Question:
*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?
Answer:
Physical science (including chemistry, physics, and
geology)
Question:
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?
Answer:
The Federal Bureau of
Investigation.
Question:
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?
Answer:
Whenever two objects come in contact with each other there is an exchange. It
rules evidence in Forensics Science and trace evidence.
Question:
Differentiate between infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies and give examples of each.
Answer:
*Infraction* -a violation of a rule or law that is not punishable by
prison
Question:
*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
Answer:
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
Question:
What are Miranda Rights? Why are they so important to the legal system?
Answer:
Rights guaranteed by the Constitution that police must tell arrestees about,
especially the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
Question:
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?
Answer:
*Booking*- mug shot, fingerprints, basic data
Question:
*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?
Answer:
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.
Question:
In reference to evidence, what do probative and material mean?
Answer:
*Probative* - must prove something
Updated Study Material 2026
Question:
What do the following forensics specialties study? anthropology, psychiatry, odontology,
engineering, computer technology, pathology, geology, environmental science, entomology,
palynology, polygraphy, voiceprint analysis
Answer:
*Anthropology* -
analysis of human decomposition
Question:
*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?
Answer:
Physical science (including chemistry, physics, and
geology)
Question:
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?
Answer:
The Federal Bureau of
Investigation.
Question:
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?
Answer:
Whenever two objects come in contact with each other there is an exchange. It
rules evidence in Forensics Science and trace evidence.
Question:
Differentiate between infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies and give examples of each.
Answer:
*Infraction* -a violation of a rule or law that is not punishable by
prison
Question:
*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
Answer:
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
Question:
What are Miranda Rights? Why are they so important to the legal system?
Answer:
Rights guaranteed by the Constitution that police must tell arrestees about,
especially the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
Question:
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?
Answer:
*Booking*- mug shot, fingerprints, basic data
Question:
*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?
Answer:
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.
Question:
In reference to evidence, what do probative and material mean?
Answer:
*Probative* - must prove something
