Forensic Week 1

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Questions and Answers

What is forensic entomology primarily concerned with?

Examining skeletal remains

Using insects to provide information related to death (correct)

Soil analysis and mineral content

Understanding the chemical composition of bones

Which forensic technique involves examining soft tissues and skeletal remains?

Forensic Anthropology (correct)

Forensic Entomology

Forensic Geology

Forensic Odontology

How has facial reconstruction evolved over time?

From direct observation to computer simulations

From photographs to physical 3D models

From basic sketches to detailed clay sculptures

From clay models to digital techniques (correct)

What case is associated with the use of forensic odontology?

Ted Bundy's identification via a bite mark Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the function of forensic geology?

Analyzing mineral content and chemical properties of soil Signup and view all the answers

What did the examination of Linda Peacock's case reveal?

Bite marks found on her body Signup and view all the answers

What factor can affect the accuracy of facial reconstruction?

The age of the individual at the time of death Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the reliability of forensic techniques?

The reliability of a technique increases with stronger evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor in determining whether an act was murder or suicide in forensic investigations?

Injuries inconsistent with suicide Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is considered when reconstructing past events in forensic science?

Victim's identity Signup and view all the answers

In the case of the unidentified dead boy in April 1972, what was indicated about injuries possibly suggesting foul play?

Substantial internal bleeding Signup and view all the answers

What factor was noted about the baby in the murder charge consideration?

The baby was not charged with murder Signup and view all the answers

What does forensic evidence help determine in cases like Roberto Calvi's?

Whether the death was murder or suicide Signup and view all the answers

What role do chemical weapons play in forensic investigations?

They assist in identifying victims and causes of death Signup and view all the answers

Which time period did the investigation related to the reconstruction of past events in sports occur?

1818 – 1840 Signup and view all the answers

What is one possible explanation for the injuries of the boy in the Bukit Merah case?

He sustained injuries after death Signup and view all the answers

What does 'in vino veritas' imply in the context of a confession?

Truth is found in wine. Signup and view all the answers

What key factor was missing in the case against Dick Cheney despite forensic evidence?

Intent to harm. Signup and view all the answers

In the murder case of Mdm Jetkor Miang Singh, what type of evidence was primarily used to link the suspect to the crime?

DNA analysis. Signup and view all the answers

What must the prosecution prove to establish a guilty charge?

Both the action and the intention. Signup and view all the answers

What was the conclusion regarding the forensic evidence in Williams' case?

It was deemed unreliable by the jury. Signup and view all the answers

Which year was the murder of Mdm Jetkor Miang Singh committed?

1996 Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'the act does not make a person guilty unless the mind is also guilty' emphasize?

Both intention and action are necessary for guilt. Signup and view all the answers

What was the relationship between the forensic evidence and the findings in Cheney's case?

Forensic evidence was inconclusive regarding intent. Signup and view all the answers

Which unit in forensic science is responsible for analyzing handwriting and printed materials?

Documents Unit Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of toxicology in forensic science?

To analyze drugs and poisons in body fluids and organs Signup and view all the answers

Which forensic method is used to analyze voices?

Voiceprint analysis Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of latent fingerprints in forensic investigations?

They can be made visible using chemical means. Signup and view all the answers

What does the polygraph measure in relation to lie detection?

Physiological responses associated with lying Signup and view all the answers

Which forensic science area investigates the stability and failure of structures?

Forensic Engineering Signup and view all the answers

What type of evidence is evaluated in a photography unit?

Visual records of evidence being presented Signup and view all the answers

How does computer forensics assist in criminal cases?

By recovering deleted data and tracking electronic trails Signup and view all the answers

What activity did Richard Crafts engage in before the disappearance of Helle Crafts?

He collected guns and machinery. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significant event that happened on November 19th, 1986?

Richard Crafts reported his wife missing. Signup and view all the answers

What unusual items did Richard Crafts purchase prior to his wife's disappearance?

A chainsaw, a freezer, and a wood chipper. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of blood evidence was found in Richard Crafts' house?

Blood stains that matched Helle's blood type (O+). Signup and view all the answers

What did the police find in Lake Zoar that was crucial to the investigation?

A chainsaw containing human tissue and hair. Signup and view all the answers

What was Richard Crafts' occupation?

An airline pilot. Signup and view all the answers

What significant action did Richard Crafts take shortly after Helle Crafts' disappearance?

He took his children to a family gathering. Signup and view all the answers

What was Richard Crafts' bail amount when he was arrested?

$750,000 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Forensic Science Overview

Forensic science is the application of science to law, particularly in criminal justice.
It involves analyzing physical, chemical, and biological evidence.
Forensic science utilizes various techniques, including observation and experiment, to form theories.
Scientific principles are essential for reliable evidence interpretation.
Expert witnesses present findings in court to convince judges/juries.
Forensic science is applicable beyond criminal cases, including archaeology, sports, international politics, and disasters.

Forensic Science in Court

Evidence from police, witnesses, and experts is presented to the prosecution and defense.
Judges determine if a person is guilty based on provided evidence.
Juries are selected from local citizens in some countries; it is not used in others.
Presumption of innocence favors the defense, with the prosecution having the burden of proof.

Forensic Science Labs

Physical science units identify and compare evidence using tests like microscopy, spectroscopy, chemical analysis, and more, focusing on materials like drugs, glass, explosives, soil.
DNA labs study DNA samples for identification.
Biology units analyze hair, plants, and similar biological specimens.
Firearms units detect and analyze guns, bullets, cartridge cases and firearm damage.
Document units examine handwriting, printing, paper and ink.
Photography units record and present evidence through photography.
Toxicology focuses on assessing drugs and poisons in body fluids or organs
Voiceprint analysis, psychiatric profiling, electronic/computer forensics, forensic engineering, forensic entomology, forensic geopoly, forensic anthropology, facial reconstruction, forensic odontology, are studied.

Historical Cases and Examples

Walter Dinivan (1939): A murder case in England where a body was found and a suspect linked to it through saliva matching. The jury ultimately did not believe the evidence.
Jetkor Singh (1996): A murder in Singapore. Evidence of cigarette butts and a DNA match led to a conviction.
Roderick "Pooh Pooh" Bates (2011): A homicide case where the suspect was linked to the crime scene
Kim Jong Nam (2017): A murder case involving a possible assassination attempt at an airport. A possible nerve agent was connected to the case.
Richard Crafts (1986-89): The Woodchipper case demonstrating the use of DNA identification, forensic evidence and physical reconstruction following an alleged murder, and a successful conviction.

Scientific Principles

Locard's Exchange Principle: states that the criminal leaves evidence (like fibers, fingerprints) at the crime scene, or exchanges evidence (like soil, saliva) with the surroundings.
Individualization is focusing on distinguishing one object from a group of objects of the same type by identifying characteristic details.
Class characteristics - identifying characteristics that belong to an object or a group of objects, but not to a single object.

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed primarily with common midterms and final exams, which cover content lectures, using MCQ for midterms and short-answer questions on final.

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Description

This quiz covers essential aspects of the assessment structure and learning outcomes in the forensic science courses CM5002 and CM5022. Questions include the weight of the final exam, online mid-terms, and key figures in forensic DNA profiling. Test your knowledge of how the courses are structured and what content is delivered.