The Forensic ScienceStudent Learning Objectives Post-Test consists of 40 multiple choice questions (2 pts. each) and 5 short answer questions (4 pts. Each) worth a total of 100 points.

If you complete this study guide – meaning you answer all questions, define all terms, work all problems, etc. – you will be well-prepared for the exam!

SFS1. Students will recognize and classify various types of evidence in relation to the definition and scope of Forensic Science.

  1. Compare and contrast the history of scientific forensic techniques used in collecting and submitting evidence for admissibility in court (e.g. Locard’s Exchange Principle, Frye standard, Daubert ruling).

Which standard/ruling/principle applies to new scientific techniques? General acceptance? Expert Testimony?

State Locard’s Exchange Principle.

  1. Distinguish and categorize physical and trace evidence (e.g. ballistics, drugs, fibers, fingerprints, glass, hair, metal, lip prints, soil, and toxins).

Distinguish between physical and trace evidence and give examples of each.

  1. Determine the proper techniques to search, isolate, collect, and record physical and trace evidence.

What methods can be used to search a crime scene?

Why is isolating the scene/witnesses important?

What is the proper procedure for collecting and packaging dry trace evidence? Liquid evidence? Arson/explosives evidence?

Given a description of a crime scene, identify sources of contamination and procedures to avoid such contamination.

  1. Evaluate the relevance of possible evidence at the site of an investigation.

How can you establish a connection between a crime and suspect?

Given a description of a crime scene, identify several items of physical/trace evidence and explain their relevance.

  1. Organize relevant information to accurately develop and submit both scene and analysis reports.

What kinds of information should be included in a scene/analysis report?

SFS2. Students will use various scientific techniques to analyze physical and trace evidence.

  1. Identify and utilize appropriate techniques used to lift and evaluate readable, latent, plastic and visible fingerprints.

What is used to individualize fingerprints?

How can you tell the difference between each print pattern?

Distinguish between visible, latent, and plastic prints.

  1. Analyze the morphology and types of hair, fibers, soil and glass.

Distinguish between the 3 layers of hair.

Given an image of a hair or fiber, how would you be able to tell if it is a hair or fiber? What parts would you look for?

  1. Evaluate how post mortem changes are used to determine probable time of death: Rigor mortis, Livor mortis, Algor mortis, Gastric contents

Distinguish between rigor, livor and algor mortis.

How can you use rigor mortis to establish a time of death (give specific windows of hours)?

Use a given equation to calculate time of death based on algor mortis.

Given a description of evidence collected by a medical examiner, determine time of death (specific date + time).

  1. Identify methods used for the evaluation of handwriting and document evidence.

What are some examples of typical questioned documents? Counterfeited documents?

Given an image of a questioned document and several exemplars, what would you look for to make a match?

  1. Determine the appropriate uses of chromatography and spectroscopy in evidence analysis.

What are some uses of chromatography in the forensic lab?

What are some uses of spectroscopy in the forensic lab?

SFS3. Students will analyze the use of toxicology, serology, and DNA technology in forensic investigations.

  1. Classify toxins and their effects on the body.

Describe the effects of cannabis, stimulants, depressants (barbiturates/alcohol), opiates, and hallucinogenson the body.

  1. Compare the effects of alcohol on blood alcohol levels with regard to gender, and according to the law.

Given the gender and amount of alcohol consumption for several individuals, compare their levels of intoxication.

  1. Evaluate forensic techniques used to isolate toxins in the body.

What techniques/methods are used to test for drugs/toxins in the body?

  1. Differentiate the forensic techniques used to distinguish human and animal blood.

What test is used to distinguish human from animal blood?

Given different parental blood types, what combinations are possible for offspring?

  1. Analyze the physics of blood stain patterns.

Given an image of a blood stain pattern, how would you determine its direction of impact and velocity?

Calculate the angle of impact and point of origin of a spatter pattern based on given data. Use the calculated values to evaluate the veracity of described events at a crime scene.

  1. Compare short tandem repeat patterns (STR) and relate to identifying the DNA of an individual.

Given an image of an autorad, how would you match individuals? Determine family relationships?

Given an image of STR data, how would you match individuals? Determine family relationships?

  1. Explain the use of the DNA database for DNA profiling.

How does DNA evidence compare among individuals?

Compare the sources of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.

SFS4. Students will evaluate the role of ballistics, tool marks and evidence of arson in forensic investigation.

  1. Identify firearm lab tests used to distinguish the characteristics of ballistics and cartridge cases.

Given a diagram of a bullet or barrel, identify the lands and grooves.

Given an image of striae from bullets as seen through a comparison microscope, how would you make a match?

  1. Analyze the physics of ballistic trajectory to predict range of firing.

What factors affect the travel time/distance of a projectile?

  1. Recognize the forensic significance of tool marks, footwear and tire impressions in an investigation.

What methods are used(and under which conditions) to collect/record impression evidence?

  1. Evaluate possible indicators of arson and criminal bombing.

Why are arson and criminal bombing cases so difficult to investigate?

SFS5. Students will evaluate the role of Forensics as it pertains to Medicolegal Death Investigation.

  1. Identify various causes of death (blunt force trauma, heart attack, bleeding, etc.).

Distinguish between proximate and immediate cause of death.

Given a scenario, identify the proximate cause of death.

  1. Analyze evidence that pertains to the manner of death (natural, homicide, suicide, accidental, or undetermined).

What would you look for (or not expect to see) for each manner of death?

Given a scenario, identify the manner of death.