DNA Transfer and Forensics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Match the following individuals with their respective actions or circumstances:

Lukis Anderson = Charged with first-degree murder Kelley Kulick = Public defender assigned to Anderson's case Raveesh Kumra = Victim who was suffocated Police investigators = Retraced Anderson's activities

Match the following medical facts with their relevant details:

Blood alcohol tests = Indicated Anderson consumed 21 beers Hospital discharge = Occurred the morning after Nov. 29 Ambulance arrival = Anderson was declared nearly unconscious Valley Medical Center = Location where Anderson was treated

Match the following legal terms with their definitions related to the content:

Felony = A serious crime punishable by imprisonment No contest = A plea allowing conviction without admitting guilt DNA evidence = Biological information used to implicate a suspect Alibi = A claim that one was elsewhere when a crime occurred

Match the following events with their corresponding dates or details:

Hospital records = Dated Nov. 29 Ambulance treatment = Anderson was inebriated Suffocation incident = Happened while Anderson was hospitalized Case appointment = Kelley Kulick appointed to Anderson's case Signup and view all the answers

Match the following statements with the individuals concerned:

Kulick = Felt terrified about innocent client facing death penalty Anderson = Had patchy recollections of the night Investigator = Stared back at Kulick in disbelief Hospital staff = Signed off on Anderson's medical records Signup and view all the answers

Match the following locations with the relevant events or conditions:

Sidewalk = Where Anderson was found dazed and bleeding County hospitals = Regularly visited by Anderson Valley Medical Center = Place where Anderson detoxed Jail = Location where an innocent client was held Signup and view all the answers

Match the following consequences with their associated actions:

Being charged with a felony = Led to DNA being added to the database Hospital admission = Resulted in detoxing overnight Being pronounced inebriated = Documented for Anderson's medical records Retracing the day = Attempt to find holes in the alibi Signup and view all the answers

Match the following issues with the fears they evoke:

Factually innocent client = Facing the death penalty Invalid date on records = Questions about alibi validity Stolen ID = Implications of mistaken identity Multiple Lukis Andersons = Confusion over the prosecution's case Signup and view all the answers

Match the following forensic DNA-related terms with their descriptions:

Secondary DNA transfer = DNA transfer from one source to another without direct contact DNA analysis robots = Automated tools used for analyzing DNA samples Forensic DNA = The application of DNA analysis for legal purposes Sensitivity in labs = The ability of a lab to detect low quantities of DNA Signup and view all the answers

Match the following items tested for human DNA with their results:

Shopping basket handles = Found with human DNA in 91% of tests Escalator rails = Found with human DNA in 91% of tests Public toilet door handles = Found with human DNA in 91% of tests Coins = Found with human DNA in 91% of tests Signup and view all the answers

Match the following forensic DNA issues with their implications:

Complex mixtures = Can be wrongly interpreted leading to false accusations Miscalculated certainty statistics = Undermines the reliability of evidence Sensitivity of forensic tools = Increases risk of secondary DNA transfer Few labs studying secondary transfer = Leaves a gap in forensic science understanding Signup and view all the answers

Match the following actions with their potential outcomes related to DNA:

Standing still and talking = Can spread DNA over a yard away Sneeze = Can send DNA to a nearby wall Shed skin cells = Can cover a football field in two minutes Wear a shirt = May bear DNA from other individuals Signup and view all the answers

Match the following authors with their works or contributions:

Erin Murphy = Author of 'Inside the Cell' Kumra case analysts = Reviewed documents to understand DNA transfer Dutch researchers = Tested items for human DNA prevalence Leading scientists = Interviewed for insights on DNA transfer Signup and view all the answers

Match the following DNA transfer methods with their descriptions:

Spewing saliva = Contains DNA and can travel away from the source Touching a surface = Can transfer DNA to that surface immediately Genetic shedding during conversation = Can result in DNA found nearby Sneezing forcefully = Can project DNA over short distances Signup and view all the answers

Match the following forensic claims with their truths:

DNA is the most accurate forensic science = Supported by forensic scientists DNA transfer occurs even in non-contact situations = Acknowledged by researchers Technology advances improve sensitivity = Can lead to more contamination risks Crime scene DNA might not belong to the suspect = Implications for legal outcomes Signup and view all the answers

Match the following facts about human DNA with their implications:

91% of public items tested showed DNA = Indicates widespread presence of DNA in public Skin cell shedding is rapid = Raises concerns for forensic investigations Armpits of shirts revealed other people's DNA = Demonstrates commonness of DNA transfer Tests involved 105 items = Shows the scope of forensic research on DNA Signup and view all the answers

Match the individuals with their roles in the case:

Jeff Rosen = Santa Clara County District Attorney Deputy District Attorney Smith = Framed the incident as a freak accident Harinder Kumra = Victim who testified against the implicated men Austin's older sister, Fritz = Testified in trials against Austin and others Signup and view all the answers

Match the pieces of evidence to their interpretations:

Garcia's DNA = Found on gloves at the crime scene Pulse oximeter = Potential source of DNA transfer Marcellous Drummer's DNA = Found on evidence months after initial hits Garcia's cellphone ping = Occurred near Monte Sereno due to cousin's borrowing Signup and view all the answers

Match the locations related to the case:

San Jose = Origin of Anderson's DNA Monte Sereno = Location mentioned in the DNA transfer theory Kumra crime scene = Where DNA evidence was found Trap house = Where Garcia was allegedly picked up Signup and view all the answers

Match the statements with the individuals involved:

It's a small world = Deputy District Attorney Smith Every day I see that face = Harinder Kumra Sanitation standards = Rural/Metro Corporation's spokesman Testified against a third man = Austin's older sister, Fritz Signup and view all the answers

Match the claims made during the trials:

Garcia's DNA arrived inadvertently = Claim made by Garcia's attorney Paramedics required to change gloves = Spokesman for Rural/Metro Corporation Traumatic memory of the assailant = Harinder Kumra's statement Freak accident theory = Described by Deputy District Attorney Smith Signup and view all the answers

Match the lawyers to their clients or cases:

Garcia's attorney = Argued DNA was transferred inadvertently Jeff Rosen = District Attorney of Santa Clara County Defense attorney = Represented the accused Marcellous Drummer's attorney = Not specifically cited in the passage Signup and view all the answers

Match the DNA-related scenarios with their descriptions:

Pulse oximeter theory = Speculated DNA transfer method High sanitation standards = Policy of Rural/Metro Corporation DNA not uncontested = Argument made by defense in trials Gloves borrowed = Claim related to Garcia's DNA at the crime scene Signup and view all the answers

Match the reactions to the events described:

Haunted by the assailant = Harinder Kumra Framed for murder = Lukis Anderson's fate Changed gloves frequently = Paramedics' standard procedure Sold the mansion = Kumra family's response to the incident Signup and view all the answers

Match the following individuals with their involvement in the case:

Lukis Anderson = Jailed for murder based on DNA evidence Raveesh = Possible incidental DNA connection with Anderson Deputy District Attorney Kevin Smith = Investigated the circumstances surrounding the homicide Lunsford = Reviewed contamination theories after hearing a presentation Signup and view all the answers

Match the following items with their role in DNA contamination:

Cameras = Tools that can transfer DNA from one scene to another Measuring tapes = Crime scene tools found to carry DNA Gloves = Items that risk picking up DNA at a crime scene Case files = Sources checked for stray DNA contamination in the lab Signup and view all the answers

Match the studies with their findings on DNA transfer:

Shaking hands = DNA can be transferred to one's person when using the restroom Dragging by ankles = DNA shows up 40 percent of the time on the dragged individual Fingernail traces = Many individuals carry traces of others' DNA under their nails Crime scene tools = Three-quarters tested showed contamination from DNA Signup and view all the answers

Match the locations with their relevance to the investigation:

Santa Clara County = Reviewed the Kumra case for errors Crime lab = Site where contamination was found in clean areas Heilbronn = Referencing a case demonstrating DNA contamination issues San Francisco Chronicle = Platform where Deputy District Attorney's statements were reported Signup and view all the answers

Match the DNA contamination theories with their descriptions:

Inadvertent contamination = DNA transferred to files that hadn't been handled by involved parties Incidental DNA connection = Hypothesis that Anderson and Raveesh crossed paths before the murder External transfer = Concept that tools carry DNA from one location to another Laboratory stray DNA = Finding DNA even in the cleanest parts of labs tested Signup and view all the answers

Match the following phrases with their associated concepts:

Phantom of Heilbronn case = Illustrates early-stage evidence contamination Gill's 2016 study = Investigated DNA presence on crime scene tools Path crossing = Theory about the interaction between Anderson and Raveesh Crime scene contamination = Risks posed by tools picking up DNA at different scenes Signup and view all the answers

Match the following outcomes with their effects on the investigation:

Lunsford's sick feeling = Realization of possibly jailing an innocent man 75 percent DNA in case files = Concern over contamination during evidence handling Confirming no errors in Kumra case = Led to further investigation into DNA transfer theories Stray DNA findings = Highlighted the pervasive nature of contamination in forensics Signup and view all the answers

Match the following statements with their factual basis from the text:

DNA on tools = Three-quarters tested showed contamination Anderson's DNA = Found not to link to other recent cases Kevin Smith's statement = Conjectured a time frame when Anderson and Raveesh met Contamination before lab arrival = Lunsford's conclusion about early-stage contamination risks Signup and view all the answers

Match the following individuals with their respective roles or outcomes in the case:

Garcia = Received 37 years to life sentence Drummer = Convicted alongside Garcia Fritz = Testified and received a reduced sentence Lunsford = Promoted to sergeant for detective work Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms related to the case with their definitions:

DNA Transfer = Biological evidence that can implicate an innocent person False Imprisonment = Unlawfully restraining someone against their will Gang Affiliation = Enhancement of sentence due to gang involvement Alibi = Proof that one was elsewhere when a crime occurred Signup and view all the answers

Match the following events with their corresponding details:

Anderson's Alibi = Discovered to protect him from conviction Givens' Statement = Concern about plea deals for defendants Garcia's Appeal = Pending after conviction Fritz's Release = Left custody after four years Signup and view all the answers

Match the following phrases with the speakers:

'People hear DNA and say, oh, sure...' = Christopher Givens 'There is no piece of evidence...' = District Attorney Rosen 'We shook hands, and I transferred on you...' = Lunsford 'I think it's made a huge impact...' = Van Oorschot Signup and view all the answers

Match the following outcomes with the respective individuals involved in the case:

Garcia and Austin = Appeals pending Drummer = Life without parole due to gang enhancement Anderson = Framed by DNA evidence Lunsford = Received accolades for detective work Signup and view all the answers

Match the following statements with their implications in the case:

DNA is the closest we have... = Recognition of DNA's reliability Mr. Anderson was a very unusual situation = Highlighting exceptionality in DNA cases Law enforcement argues it is well outside the norm = Skepticism about DNA misinterpretation DNA transfer happens = Potential for wrongful implication Signup and view all the answers

Match the following roles or actions to the people involved:

Givens = Garcia's attorney Lunsford = Detective in the case D'Antonio = Promoted to captain Van Oorschot = Forensic science researcher Signup and view all the answers

Match the following allegations or findings with the individuals responsible:

Convicted of murder = Garcia, Drummer, Austin Accused of DNA transference = Anderson Detained for four years = Fritz Presented findings that influenced forensic science = Van Oorschot Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

DNA Transfer

The average human sheds enough skin cells to cover a football field in two minutes.
DNA can transfer multiple yards through saliva in 30 seconds.
A sneeze can deposit DNA onto nearby walls.
DNA was found on 91% of 105 public items tested, including escalator rails, public toilet door handles, shopping basket handles, and coins.
The presence of DNA on personal items like the armpits of shirts can be from other people.

DNA Transfer in Forensic Investigations

DNA transfer can make innocent people potential suspects in investigations.
DNA mixtures can be misinterpreted and lead to false conclusions.
DNA analysis robots have limits and their sensitivity can lead to false identification.
Advances in technology have made DNA analysis more sensitive but also increased the risk of DNA transfer.

Lukis Anderson Case

Lukis Anderson was charged with murder despite having a hospital alibi.
DNA evidence placed him at the crime scene, even though he was in hospital at the time of the murder.
The prosecution theory was that paramedics transferred Anderson's DNA to the victim's fingernails.
DNA transfer can occur during interactions like shaking hands or dragging someone by the ankles.
Anderson's case highlights the potential for DNA transfer to wrongly implicate people.
Most crime labs do not regularly and robustly study secondary DNA transfer.
The case of the Phantom of Heilbronn demonstrates how contamination can occur prior to evidence arriving in a lab.

Contamination

DNA was found on three quarters of crime scene tools, including cameras, measuring tapes, and gloves.
DNA contamination can occur in the lab, even in clean areas.
Case files can also be sources of contamination.

Other Cases

The Kumra murder case involved multiple suspects, including Austin, Garcia, and Drummer.
Garcia's attorney argued for DNA transfer, suggesting his client's DNA was at the scene due to a borrowed box of gloves used by his cousin.
Prosecutors believed Garcia's DNA was transferred to the crime scene by Austin picking up Garcia's cousin.
Garcia, Drummer, and Austin were convicted of murder, robbery, and false imprisonment.

Lukis Anderson Case Conclusion

Anderson is considered the clearest known case of DNA transference implicating an innocent man.
DNA transfer is not considered a common occurrence in forensic science.
Experts caution against overreliance on touch DNA for solving crimes.

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Description

Test your knowledge on DNA transfer phenomena and its implications in forensic investigations. Learn about how DNA can inadvertently link innocent people to crimes, as well as the technology behind DNA analysis. Discover key cases like Lukis Anderson's that highlight the complexities of DNA evidence.