Forensic Science Overview

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Questions and Answers

Match the following hair layers with their descriptions:

Cuticle = The outermost layer of a hair strand, made up of overlapping dead cells Cortex = The middle layer of a hair shaft, and is the thickest layer of hair Medulla = The innermost layer of the hair shaft

Match the following fingerprint patterns with their characteristics:

Arches = Have a mound-like shape with ridges that flow from one side to the other Tented Arches = Similar to arches, but with a more pronounced upward thrust in the center Loops = Have concentric ridges that flow in one side, recurve, and exit on the same side Whorls = Have ridges that form circles or spirals

Match the following variables with their descriptions in experimental design:

Independent Variable = Variables that are specifically changed in an experiment Dependent Variable = Variables that are being measured in an experiment Control = A baseline that is not affected by the independent variable

Match the fingerprint minutiae with their importance:

<p>Minutiae = Tiny details in fingerprints that make them unique Matched Minutiae = Minimum of 12 that must be matched to establish an identical fingerprint</p>
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Match the following blood components with their functions:

<p>Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes) = Carry oxygen White Blood Cells (Leukocytes) = Fight infection Platelets (Thrombocytes) = Help with blood clotting Plasma = Carries blood cells and substances</p>
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Match the test types with their descriptions:

<p>Presumptive Test = Initial screening indicating possible substance presence Confirmatory Test = Rigorous test for definitive identification Screening Test = Initial indication of substance Definitive Test = Conclusive proof of substance presence</p>
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Match the blood types with their corresponding antigens:

<p>Type A = A Antigen Type B = B Antigen Type AB = A &amp; B Antigens Type O = None</p>
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Match the components of a nucleotide with their names:

<p>Deoxyribose Sugar = Pentose Sugar Nitrogen Bases = A base that pairs with T or C pairs with G Phosphate Group = Part of the nucleotide structure Nucleotide = Building block of DNA</p>
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Match the post-mortem changes with their descriptions:

<p>Livor mortis = Blood pooling to one side of the body due to gravity Rigor mortis = Stiffness of muscles and joints post-death Algor mortis = Decrease in body temperature to match the environment Insect activity = Presence of insects indicating time since death</p>
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Match the levels of organization with their examples:

<p>Cell = Blood cell Tissue = Muscle Organ = Stomach Organ system = Respiratory system</p>
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Match the lobes of the brain with their functions:

<p>Frontal lobe = Higher cognitive functions like planning Parietal lobe = Processes sensory information like touch Temporal lobe = Processes auditory information Occipital lobe = Processes visual information</p>
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Match the types of tissue with their basic functions:

<p>Epithelial tissue = Covering and lining surfaces Connective tissue = Supporting and binding structures Muscle tissue = Contraction and movement Nervous tissue = Transmitting electrical signals</p>
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Match the types of heart defects with their characteristics:

<p>Valve defects = Valves cannot open or close properly Septal defects = A hole in the wall of the heart TBI = Single blow to the head CTE = Multiple blows to the head leading to worse effects</p>
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Match the following terms with their definitions:

<p>Chromosomes = Structures containing DNA that carry genes Genes = Functional units of heredity located on chromosomes DNA = Long strands that make up chromosomes RFLPs = Unique fragment lengths created by restriction enzymes</p>
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Match the following cell types with their characteristics:

<p>Prokaryotic = Cells without a nucleus Eukaryotic = Cells with a nucleus Bacteria = Example of prokaryotic cells Plants = Example of eukaryotic cells</p>
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Match the DNA profiling techniques with their descriptions:

<p>PCR = Amplifies small amounts of DNA Restriction Enzymes = Cuts DNA at specific sites Gel Electrophoresis = Separates DNA fragments based on size DNA Fingerprinting = Creates a unique pattern for identification</p>
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Match the terms related to autopsy with their explanations:

<p>Cause of Death = Specific disease or injury leading to death Manner of Death = How the death occurred Mechanism of Death = Physiological process causing body to stop functioning Homicide = An example of manner of death</p>
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Match the organs to their body systems and functions:

<p>Bladder = Urinary System - Filters and removes waste Heart = Cardiovascular System - Pumps blood Lungs = Respiratory System - Facilitates gas exchange Brain = Nervous System - Controls body functions</p>
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Match the following body systems with their respective organs:

<p>Endocrine System = Pituitary Immune System = Thymus Digestive System = Gallbladder Lymphatic System = Lymph Node</p>
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Match the following DNA-related terms with their functions:

<p>Restriction Enzymes = Create unique DNA fragment lengths PCR = Detects minute quantities of DNA Gel Electrophoresis = Visualizes DNA profiles RFLPs = Represents variations in DNA sequences</p>
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Match the following organ systems to their primary functions:

<p>Cardiovascular System = Circulates blood and nutrients Nervous System = Processes sensory information Respiratory System = Inhales oxygen and exhales carbon dioxide Urinary System = Regulates water and electrolytes</p>
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Flashcards

Testable Hypothesis

A testable hypothesis is a statement that can be proven or disproven through experimentation.

Independent Variable

An independent variable is the factor that you change in an experiment to see its effect on the outcome. It is the cause.

Dependent Variable

A dependent variable is the factor that you are measuring in an experiment. It is the effect.

Control

A control is a standard for comparison in an experiment. It is a sample that is not exposed to the independent variable.

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Fingerprint Minutiae

Fingerprint minutiae are tiny, unique details within fingerprints that make them distinctive. These features are like tiny landmarks in a fingerprint.

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What is plasma?

The liquid part of blood that carries other blood cells and important substances throughout the body. It is the largest component of blood.

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What is a presumptive test?

A preliminary test that suggests the potential presence of a substance. It's like a first clue.

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What is a confirmatory test?

A more rigorous test used to confirm the presence of a specific substance. It provides definitive proof.

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What are platelets?

The small, irregular-shaped cell fragments involved in blood clotting. They help stop bleeding.

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What are nucleotides?

The building blocks of DNA, composed of three parts: a phosphate group, a sugar (deoxyribose), and a nitrogenous base.

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Rigor Mortis

The stiffening of muscles and joints after death due to chemical changes in the body. It typically sets in a few hours after death and peaks around 12 hours.

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Algor Mortis

The gradual cooling of the body after death until it reaches the ambient temperature. It helps estimate the time of death as the body cools at a predictable rate.

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Epithelial Tissue

A type of tissue that covers and lines surfaces of the body, forming protective barriers and also acting as a boundary between internal and external environments. Examples include skin, the lining of the digestive tract, and the lining of blood vessels.

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4 Lobes of the Brain

The frontal lobe is responsible for higher cognitive functions like planning and decision making, the parietal lobe processes sensory information like touch and taste, the temporal lobe processes auditory information and memory, and the occipital lobe processes visual information

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CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy)

A condition caused by multiple blows to the head, often seen in athletes who engage in contact sports. It can lead to memory loss, slurred speech, cognitive decline, and other neurological problems, sometimes much later on.

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Gene

The basic unit of heredity, a segment of DNA that codes for a specific trait.

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Chromosome

Long, threadlike structures found inside the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, carrying genetic information in the form of DNA.

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Genome

The complete set of genetic instructions within an organism, encompassing all the DNA.

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Eukaryotic Cell

Cells that have a true nucleus, where DNA is enclosed within a membrane-bound structure.

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Prokaryotic Cell

Cells that lack a nucleus, with their DNA spread throughout the cytoplasm.

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Cause of Death

The specific injury or disease that initiates the chain of events leading to death.

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Manner of Death

The manner in which the death occurred, classified as natural, accidental, homicide, suicide, or undetermined.

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Mechanism of Death

The physiological process that directly caused the body to stop functioning, such as heart failure or blood loss.

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Study Notes

Polygraph

  • Polygraph tests measure physiological responses to detect lying.
  • Indicators include rising heart rate and faster breathing during false statements.
  • Baselines are crucial to establish normal ranges for a person's heartbeat during a test.
  • Polygraph tests are not 100% reliable.

Experimental Design

  • A testable hypothesis states a predicted outcome.
  • An example is that salt dissolves in hot water faster than sugar.
  • Independent variables are factors changed to observe their effect on the result.
  • Dependent variables are the factors measured as a result of the experiment.
  • Control variables remain constant to isolate the impact of the independent variable.

Hair Structure

  • Cuticle: The outermost layer of dead cells that protect the hair shaft.
  • Cortex: The middle and thickest layer of the hair.
  • Medulla: The innermost layer of the hair shaft.

Fingerprints

  • Arches are the least common fingerprint type, characterized by a flow from one side to the other.
  • Tented arches are similar to arches but have a more pronounced central spike.
  • Loops have concentric ridges that flow, turn, and exit on the same side.
  • Whorls have circular or spiral patterns and are classified as plain, central pocket, double loop, or accidental.
  • Fingerprint minutiae are tiny details for identification.
  • 12 minutiae matches establish a unique fingerprint.

Blood Composition

  • Red blood cells (erythrocytes) carry oxygen.
  • White blood cells (leukocytes) fight infections.
  • Platelets (thrombocytes) aid in blood clotting.
  • Plasma is the liquid component containing blood cells and various substances.

Blood Type

  • Antigens are molecules on blood cells that trigger immune responses.
  • Blood types are determined by the antigens present on blood cells.
  • Examples of blood types are A, B, AB, and O.

Blood Spatter Analysis

  • Drop height and angle affect blood spatter size and shape.
  • Higher drop height results in larger diameters.
  • Increased angle creates elongated spatter.

Nucleotides

  • Nucleotides consist of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group.

DNA Pairing

  • Adenine pairs with Thymine (A-T).
  • Guanine pairs with Cytosine (G-C).

Genes and Chromosomes

  • Genes are segments of DNA with specific functions.
  • Chromosomes are structures containing DNA and genes.
  • The entire set of genetic information is a person's genome.

Cell Types

  • Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus.
  • Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus.

DNA Analysis

  • DNA analysis, in various forms, can create DNA or genetic profiling.
  • PCR, restriction enzymes, and gel electrophoresis are used for DNA analysis.

Cause, Manner, and Mechanism of Death

  • Cause of death is the disease or injury initiating the death sequence.
  • Manner of death refers to how the death occurred (e.g., homicide or accident).
  • Mechanism of death is the physiological process causing the body to stop functioning (e.g., blood loss).

Body Systems

  • Various body systems comprise the body, functioning together in a coordinated manner (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, etc.).

Time of Death Estimation

  • Methods like livor mortis, rigor mortis, algor mortis, insect activity, etc., help determine the time since death.

Levels of Biological Organization

  • Cells, tissues, organs, organ systems make up the body.

Brain Lobes and Function

  • Frontal lobe: planning and decision-making
  • Parietal lobe: sensory processing
  • Temporal lobe: auditory processing & memory
  • Occipital lobe: visual processing

TBI vs. CTE

  • TBI (traumatic brain injury) results from one or more blows to the head, with effects potentially improving.
  • CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) results from repeated head trauma, and the effects are frequently worse, including memory loss and slurred speech.

Heart Defects

  • Valve defects involve improper valve opening/closing.
  • Septal defects are holes in the heart wall (septum).

Tissue Types

  • Epithelial – cover and line body surfaces.
  • Connective – support and connect tissues.
  • Muscle – generate movement.
  • Nervous – transmit signals.

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