22 Questions
What is one of the primary endeavors of forensic scientists, as mentioned in the text?
Creating and updating statistical databases
What is the value of class evidence in forensic science?
It provides corroboration of events with data free of human error
How many strations are typically necessary to individualize a mark to a single tool?
It varies and cannot be quantified
In forensic analysis, how many handwriting characteristics are typically needed to tie a person to a signature?
It depends on the handwriting style
What contributes to the extremely high certainty that multiple class evidence items originated from the same source?
The presence of different types of class evidence
What is mentioned as increasingly elusive in a mass-produced world in relation to forensic science?
Gathering statistical data
What is the main purpose of forensic databases?
To store and compare physical evidence from different crime scenes
What is the main challenge in individualization of physical evidence?
Distinguishing evidential variations from natural variations
What is the significance of finding a match between physical evidence and a suspect's sample?
It increases the likelihood of the suspect's involvement in the crime
What is the purpose of the NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistics Information Network) database?
To store and compare markings on bullets and cartridge casings
What is the significance of natural variations in physical evidence?
They make it harder to individualize evidence
What is the purpose of the PDQ (Paint Data Query) database?
To store and compare chemical and color information of automotive paints
What is the primary purpose of examining physical evidence in a forensic investigation?
To determine the origin and identity of the evidence
Which of the following is an example of physical evidence with individual characteristics?
Fingerprints at the crime scene
What is the main challenge with assigning probability values to the comparison of class characteristics in physical evidence?
The inability to exclude all other possible sources of the evidence
How do forensic scientists typically approach the identification of physical evidence?
By adopting testing procedures that give characteristic results for specific standard materials
What is the purpose of a comparative analysis of physical evidence in a forensic investigation?
To establish the probability that the suspect specimen and standard/reference specimen have a common origin
Which of the following types of physical evidence is most likely to possess individual characteristics?
Handwriting samples
How do forensic scientists typically approach the comparison of physical evidence?
By determining the probability that the suspect specimen and standard/reference specimen have a common origin
Which of the following types of physical evidence is most likely to be found in a forensic database?
Fingerprints
What is the primary purpose of using probability in the analysis of physical evidence?
To ascertain the evidential value of a comparison between a suspect specimen and a standard/reference specimen
Which of the following types of physical evidence is most likely to possess class characteristics?
Fibers or paint chips
Explore the practical limits and challenges faced by forensic scientists when selecting properties for comparison. Learn about the distinction between evidential variations and natural variations in forensic analysis.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
