Fundamentals of Criminalistics - Exam 1
Question and answers already passed
what is forensics? - correct answer - derived from the latin word "forum"
- something suitable to be shown in public or a court of law
- any field can be applied to a legal matter (any field can be considered
forensic)
what is criminalistics? - correct answer - application of natural sciences to
criminal matters (biology, chemistry, physics)
- 'criminalists' and 'forensic scientists' are often used interchangeably
what is a forensic scientist? - correct answer - analyzes physical evidence in
criminal cases
- typically employed by crime labs
- testifies in court when necessary
- specializes in a specific discipline (chemistry, biology, etc.)
what is criminology? - correct answer study and investigation of crime and
criminals
what does crime scene search do? - correct answer - documents crime scene
with photographs and notes
- searches for and recognizes potential evidence
- collects and packages evidence
what does fingerprints do? - correct answer - collects and enhances
fingerprints
,- compares unknown fingerprints to fingerprints from known individuals
- uses databases to search for fingerprint matches
what does chemical analysis do? - correct answer - analyzes samples to
chemically determine composition
- determines amount of substance present
what does firearms and tool marks do? - correct answer - analyzes bullets
and cartridge cases
- analyzes gun shot residue
- compares tool marks as well as footwear and tire impressions
what does document examination do? - correct answer - examines
documents for forgeries, alterations, erasures, etc.
- determines if documents were written by a particular individual
- analyzes ink and paper samples to determine origin
what does trace analysis do? - correct answer - analyzes evidence that is
small in size
- typically involves the use of a microscope
- includes hair, paint, glass, fibers, soil, explosive residue
what does serology do? - correct answer - examines objects for the presence
and identification of body fluids
- examines size and shape of blood stains
what does dna analysis do? - correct answer - analyzes dna from unknown
biological samples
, - compares unknown dna to dna from known individuals
what does toxicology do? - correct answer - study of poisons, their effects,
and antidotes
- identifies presence and amount of poisons and other chemicals in the body
or body fluids
what is pathology? - correct answer - performs an autopsy to determine the
cause and manner of death
- a medical doctor who has specialized in pathology and then forensic
pathology
what is anthropology? - correct answer - examines and identifies human
skeletal remains
- perform facial reconstruction
- superimpose photos of skull and subjects face
what is entomology? - correct answer - examines maggots and insects on a
cadaver to estimate time of death
- tests insects for presence of drugs
- also useful in litigation with housing and food
what is odontology? - correct answer - examine bite marks to determine
whether they came from an individual
- examine dental records to identify victims of mass disaster or decomposed
bodies
- examine facial injuries to determine cause
Question and answers already passed
what is forensics? - correct answer - derived from the latin word "forum"
- something suitable to be shown in public or a court of law
- any field can be applied to a legal matter (any field can be considered
forensic)
what is criminalistics? - correct answer - application of natural sciences to
criminal matters (biology, chemistry, physics)
- 'criminalists' and 'forensic scientists' are often used interchangeably
what is a forensic scientist? - correct answer - analyzes physical evidence in
criminal cases
- typically employed by crime labs
- testifies in court when necessary
- specializes in a specific discipline (chemistry, biology, etc.)
what is criminology? - correct answer study and investigation of crime and
criminals
what does crime scene search do? - correct answer - documents crime scene
with photographs and notes
- searches for and recognizes potential evidence
- collects and packages evidence
what does fingerprints do? - correct answer - collects and enhances
fingerprints
,- compares unknown fingerprints to fingerprints from known individuals
- uses databases to search for fingerprint matches
what does chemical analysis do? - correct answer - analyzes samples to
chemically determine composition
- determines amount of substance present
what does firearms and tool marks do? - correct answer - analyzes bullets
and cartridge cases
- analyzes gun shot residue
- compares tool marks as well as footwear and tire impressions
what does document examination do? - correct answer - examines
documents for forgeries, alterations, erasures, etc.
- determines if documents were written by a particular individual
- analyzes ink and paper samples to determine origin
what does trace analysis do? - correct answer - analyzes evidence that is
small in size
- typically involves the use of a microscope
- includes hair, paint, glass, fibers, soil, explosive residue
what does serology do? - correct answer - examines objects for the presence
and identification of body fluids
- examines size and shape of blood stains
what does dna analysis do? - correct answer - analyzes dna from unknown
biological samples
, - compares unknown dna to dna from known individuals
what does toxicology do? - correct answer - study of poisons, their effects,
and antidotes
- identifies presence and amount of poisons and other chemicals in the body
or body fluids
what is pathology? - correct answer - performs an autopsy to determine the
cause and manner of death
- a medical doctor who has specialized in pathology and then forensic
pathology
what is anthropology? - correct answer - examines and identifies human
skeletal remains
- perform facial reconstruction
- superimpose photos of skull and subjects face
what is entomology? - correct answer - examines maggots and insects on a
cadaver to estimate time of death
- tests insects for presence of drugs
- also useful in litigation with housing and food
what is odontology? - correct answer - examine bite marks to determine
whether they came from an individual
- examine dental records to identify victims of mass disaster or decomposed
bodies
- examine facial injuries to determine cause
