Midterm Study Guide:
General ideas/topics to study
Know the history and development of forensic science
o Modern crime labs (locations of the largest)
The common units that may be found in modern crime-labs
Landmark cases and what they mean for the scientist and police departments
Responsibilities of the first police officer at a crime scene
Proper techniques for handling and packaging evidence
Recording a crime scene
Search procedures
The chain of custody
What is physical evidence?
Individual vs class characteristics
National databases (fingerprinting, paint, bullets, etc)
Know the different specialties that help in a forensic investigation.
o What do they look for?
Know physical and chemical properties
Density, refractive index
Properties of light
Glass fractures
Tests on glass (for density, breaking pattern)
Types of glass, how they break, etc
Breaking patterns for glass types
o Radial, concentric
o Dices
o Holes are bigger on the exit side with a projectile
Soil variations
o When is soil evidence valuable?
Organic vs inorganic
Qualitative vs quantitative
Chromatography (know the basics)
o We specifically talked a lot about gas chromatography
Theory of light
o Electromagnetic spectrum
o Dual nature
o IR spectrophotometry
o GC/MS
Inorganic analysis
o Know atomic structures
o Isotopes and radioactivity
Microscopes
o Know the different types
o What they are used for
o Field of view
o Depth of focus
o Parts of a compound microscope
o Arthur Koehler
Drugs
o Types of drugs, common examples of each
o Narcotics
o I don’t make you know all of the drug schedules… but know which is the most and least strict
o Microcrystalline tests
o GC/MS
o Identification of marijuana
Toxicology
o What happens to alcohol in the body
o How do we measure intoxication?
o Arteries vs veins vs capillaries
o Breath testing (now)
o Blood tests – what do we do to preserve them?
o Field sobriety testing
Horizontal gaze nystagmus
Divided attention tests
o Blood alcohol laws
o Other things toxicologists test for
Serology
o Antigens and antibodies
o Know how blood typing works
o Immunoassay
o Monoclonal antibodies
Rabbits
o Luminol
o Microcrystalline tests
o Heredity basics
All the definitions…
Paternity testing
o Testing for seminal stains (3 tests)
Collection and preservation of rape evidence
Match the following crime scene investigation techniques with their descriptions:
36. DNA Profiling a) Determines the shooter’s distance and trajectory
37. Blood Spatter Analysis b) Identifies individuals based on genetic material
38. Shoeprint Analysis c) Examines footwear impressions at crime scenes
39. Gunshot Residue Testing d) Analyzes the presence of particles from fired weapons
40. Hair Comparison e) Compares hair samples for physical characteristics
Match the forensic tool to its purpose: (2 points each)
41. Gas Chromatograph a) Used for analyzing body fluids for blood type and DNA
42. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) b) Measures chemical elements in a sample, useful in gunshot
43. Polygraph residue analysis
44. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer c) Measures the retention and release of gases in a substance
45. Serology Test d) Used for examining trace evidence like fibers and hair
e) Determines physiological responses, sometimes used in lie
detector tests
Answer the following questions to help you review:
Discuss the role of forensic science in the criminal justice system and how it impacts the outcome of criminal cases.
Explain the importance of evidence preservation in forensic science and describe how improper handling of evidence can
lead to wrongful convictions.
How can forensic science help in the investigation of cold cases and unsolved crimes? Provide examples of techniques that
have led to breakthroughs.
Compare and contrast forensic science methods in the 21st century with those used in previous decades. How have
advancements in technology changed forensic investigations?
How does forensic photography contribute to the documentation of a crime scene? What are some best practices for taking
crime scene photos?
In a case involving a suspect with a criminal record, how might forensic science assist in linking the suspect to a crime
scene?
What factors could affect the reliability of eyewitness testimony, and how can forensic science help corroborate or
contradict an eyewitness account?
Describe the difference between class evidence and individual evidence.
What steps are involved in the process of collecting and preserving physical evidence at a crime scene?
Explain the difference between a forensic anthropologist and a forensic pathologist.
What is the role of a forensic entomologist in a homicide investigation?
What factors can affect the accuracy of forensic DNA analysis?
Explain the process of analyzing a toxicology report in a suspected drug overdose case.
If a suspect’s DNA matches a sample found at a crime scene, how can forensic scientists rule out contamination of the
sample?
You are a forensic investigator at a scene where multiple suspects are present. How would you maintain objectivity and
impartiality while collecting evidence?
If you were to test a bloodstain for the presence of alcohol, what forensic methods would you use to conduct the analysis?
At a scene of suspected poisoning, how would you go about collecting samples for forensic toxicology analysis?
Explain the difference between presumptive and confirmatory tests in forensic toxicology.
What role does forensic geology play in investigations involving soil samples?
These questions have not specifically been covered yet, but knowing what we do, how would you begin to approach
investigating these types of crimes?
How does forensic science play a role in investigating vehicle collisions or accidents?
Describe how a forensic team would handle the investigation of a homicide involving blunt force trauma to the head.
In a case of arson, what types of evidence would forensic scientists look for to determine the cause of the fire?
A body was discovered in a house fire. What evidence should be collected at the scene to investigate the cause of death
and determine whether the fire was accidental or arson?
During an autopsy, you discover a bullet wound. What types of forensic evidence should be collected to investigate the
cause of death further?
You discover a set of fingerprints on a window at a break-in scene. What steps would you take to lift and analyze the
fingerprints?
Describe the process of collecting and analyzing digital evidence in a cybercrime investigation.