Questions and Answers
Who is known for taking mug shots?
Who is associated with the principle that traces of evidence are left behind at a crime scene?
Edmond Locard
What might indicate that a ring is not made of silver?
Who is the forensic scientist known for toxicology?
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Who authored the book on questioned documents?
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What scientific method is associated with the study of fingerprints?
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Who is known for forensic ballistics?
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In Frye v. United States, what was James Frye convicted of?
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What was the result of Frye's lie-detector test?
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How was the lie-detector test regarded in a court of law?
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What standard was implemented after a doctor falsified studies?
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What is the main criterion of the Frye Standard?
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What would permit Archimedes' evidence in court if such standards existed in 230 BC?
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What is NOT included in the Rule of Evidence 702?
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Can a hypothesis ever be proven right according to Albert Einstein?
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What is the best hypothesis to work with for tomato plant growth?
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What did you advise your friends about their hypothesis on tomato plant growth?
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How do scientists confirm experiment results are real?
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What did the students do when their first experiment did not support their hypothesis?
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What word describes the observation: 'When the sun comes up, flowers open'?
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What is the false statement among the student's report on experimentation?
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What is the control group in an experiment?
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What does the abbreviation 'D' refer to in a data collection context?
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Study Notes
Forensic Science Key Figures and Concepts
- Alphonse Bertillon: Known for developing the Bertillon system, a method of identifying individuals based on physical measurements, including creating mug shots.
- Edmond Locard: Established Locard's Exchange Principle, which states that the perpetrator of a crime will bring something into the crime scene and leave with something out of it, thus providing valuable trace evidence.
- Archimedes: Introduced a method to measure density, utilizing the concept of weight divided by volume, significant for forensic investigations regarding materials.
- Mathieu Orfila: Recognized as the father of forensic toxicology, known for his work in detecting poisons in biological samples and advocating ethical treatment of animals.
- Albert Osborn: Pioneer in the field of document examination, emphasizing the importance of handwriting analysis in forensic investigations.
- Francis Galton: Conducted groundbreaking work on fingerprinting, laying the foundation for its use as a unique identifier in forensics.
- Calvin Goddard: Developed methods for firearm identification, particularly through ballistic analysis of bullets and shell casings.
Legal Cases and Standards
- Frye v. United States: Landmark case where James Frye was convicted of murder; the case introduced the Frye Standard, emphasizing that evidence must be widely accepted in the scientific community.
- Lie Detector Test Outcome: Frye passed the lie-detector test, but the results were considered inadmissible in court, reflecting skepticism about polygraph reliability.
- Daubert Standard: Established after cases of falsified medical studies, it scrutinizes whether expert testimony is based on scientifically valid reasoning.
- Rule of Evidence 702: States that scientific evidence must be reliable and relevant but does not require that the methods used are widely accepted by the scientific community.
Scientific Method and Experimentation
- Hypothesis Testing: A hypothesis is a testable statement about the relationship between variables; for example, proposing that a specific quantity of tomato juice impacts fruit size.
- Variable Control: A control group is crucial in experiments for comparing results against those receiving treatment; it helps mitigate the effect of variables that could skew outcomes.
- Replicating Experiments: To confirm results and ensure they are not influenced by external factors, experiments should be repeated multiple times.
- Modifying Hypotheses: If data does not support an initial hypothesis, scientists must be flexible and modify their hypotheses based on new observations.
Observations and Understanding in Science
- Observation: Distinct from inferences, observations are factual statements based on sensory experience, such as noting that flowers open when the sun rises.
- Theories and Laws: A common misconception is that once a hypothesis gains acceptance it becomes a law; however, scientific understanding is more nuanced and theories can evolve.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding the interplay between forensic science and legal standards is crucial for practitioners.
- The refinement of hypotheses and careful control of variables are essential in scientific investigations.
- The methodologies of forensic science rely on historical figures who laid the groundwork for evidence identification and analysis.
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Description
Test your knowledge on key figures and concepts in forensic science. Explore the contributions of influential scientists like Alphonse Bertillon, Edmond Locard, and others who shaped the field. This quiz covers significant principles and methodologies that are crucial for forensic investigations.
