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Questions and Answers
Which ancient civilization first recorded a pathology text?
Which ancient civilization first recorded a pathology text?
Fingerprints were first suggested as a means of identification in the 1900s.
Fingerprints were first suggested as a means of identification in the 1900s.
False
Who developed anthropometry for suspect identification?
Who developed anthropometry for suspect identification?
Alphonse Bertillon
Forensic science uses scientific techniques to reconstruct events from __________.
Forensic science uses scientific techniques to reconstruct events from __________.
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Match the following individuals with their contributions to forensic science:
Match the following individuals with their contributions to forensic science:
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What is an essential component of forensic science's methodology?
What is an essential component of forensic science's methodology?
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What questions can forensic science help answer?
What questions can forensic science help answer?
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The Enlightenment period initiated the real rise of scientific advances in forensic science.
The Enlightenment period initiated the real rise of scientific advances in forensic science.
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What principle suggests that every contact leaves a trace?
What principle suggests that every contact leaves a trace?
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Biological evidence includes fingerprints.
Biological evidence includes fingerprints.
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What type of forensic evidence is recovered from digital devices?
What type of forensic evidence is recovered from digital devices?
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The forensic strategy meeting is usually led by the ______ and senior police officer.
The forensic strategy meeting is usually led by the ______ and senior police officer.
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Which of the following items is considered trace evidence?
Which of the following items is considered trace evidence?
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Match the type of evidence to its description:
Match the type of evidence to its description:
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Locard's principle is considered simplistic and does not always hold true.
Locard's principle is considered simplistic and does not always hold true.
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Name one type of analytical technique used in forensic science.
Name one type of analytical technique used in forensic science.
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Why is objectivity emphasized in forensic science?
Why is objectivity emphasized in forensic science?
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Subjective analysis in forensic evidence is always considered unreliable.
Subjective analysis in forensic evidence is always considered unreliable.
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What percentage of all innocence cases is attributed to unreliable forensic science?
What percentage of all innocence cases is attributed to unreliable forensic science?
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The criminal justice system relies on the quality of _____ to preserve confidence in forensic evidence.
The criminal justice system relies on the quality of _____ to preserve confidence in forensic evidence.
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Match the forensic evidence issues with their effects:
Match the forensic evidence issues with their effects:
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What is the primary purpose of using reference standards in forensic drug analysis?
What is the primary purpose of using reference standards in forensic drug analysis?
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Subjective analysis relies solely on measurable data.
Subjective analysis relies solely on measurable data.
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What type of analysis is carried out to establish the identification of body fluids for a DNA profile?
What type of analysis is carried out to establish the identification of body fluids for a DNA profile?
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Qualitative analysis is focused on determining what might be present rather than how much, based on __________.
Qualitative analysis is focused on determining what might be present rather than how much, based on __________.
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Match the following techniques with their types:
Match the following techniques with their types:
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When is a drug considered only tentatively identified?
When is a drug considered only tentatively identified?
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Feature comparison techniques involve definitive pre-existing quantitative measurements.
Feature comparison techniques involve definitive pre-existing quantitative measurements.
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What role do statistics play after a DNA profile is extracted?
What role do statistics play after a DNA profile is extracted?
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What is often referred to as 'junk science' in the courtroom?
What is often referred to as 'junk science' in the courtroom?
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The NAS report established that all forensic science methods are reliable and valid.
The NAS report established that all forensic science methods are reliable and valid.
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What is one key recommendation from the NAS report regarding forensic science practitioners?
What is one key recommendation from the NAS report regarding forensic science practitioners?
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The NAS report found a lack of scientific validation in methods such as __________ and bitemarks.
The NAS report found a lack of scientific validation in methods such as __________ and bitemarks.
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Match the forensic methods with the issues identified by the NAS report:
Match the forensic methods with the issues identified by the NAS report:
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Which of the following is NOT a recommendation from the NAS report?
Which of the following is NOT a recommendation from the NAS report?
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According to the PCAST report, feature comparison methods in forensic science are scientifically valid.
According to the PCAST report, feature comparison methods in forensic science are scientifically valid.
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What is one major concern regarding the methods used in forensic science?
What is one major concern regarding the methods used in forensic science?
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The establishment of __________ is recommended to improve forensic science practices.
The establishment of __________ is recommended to improve forensic science practices.
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Which of the following is a source of error identified in the forensic sciences?
Which of the following is a source of error identified in the forensic sciences?
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Study Notes
Forensic Science Introduction
- Forensic science is a broad term encompassing various specialisms
- No single "forensic science" exists; it includes sub-specialisms like forensic biology, chemistry, medicine, dentistry, fingerprint analysis, and ballistics.
History of Forensic Science
- Forensic science has a long history, with its use for legal purposes dating back to ancient times.
- Early examples include fingerprints on clay tablets in pre-700 BC.
- 44 BC, the first autopsy involved Julius Caesar's body.
- The examination of Caesar's body, specifically the identification of the cause of death from 23 wounds, is considered an early example of an expert witness report.
- The term "forensic" meaning 'before the forum' is derived from this early use of science in legal contexts.
- In the first century AD, Quintilian, a jurist and orator, proved a man innocent by demonstrating a bloody handprint left as a frame.
- This illustrates the early use of physical evidence to determine innocence or guilt.
Forensic Science Methodologies
- Analytical methods involve quantitative measurements using pre-existing databases.
- Examples of forensic methods are DNA analysis, forensic toxicology.
- Reference samples of known origin are used to compare questioned samples.
- Forensic science can be separated into quantitative and subjective methodologies.
- Feature comparison, like fingerprint analysis and ballistic comparisons, involves analyzing common features of samples.
Forensic Evidence Types
- Trace evidence includes various materials like paint, fibers, glass, hair, soil, or explosive residue.
- Feature comparison evidence, like tool marks, footwear marks, and fingerprints, is vital for establishing specifics.
- Digital evidence encompasses information recovered from digital devices (e.g., photos, videos, emails).
- Biological evidence includes DNA, blood, saliva, hair, etc.
Scientific Method in Forensic Science
- Forensic science is an investigative process, involving detection of evidence, recovery of evidence, evaluation, presentation of evidence to the court.
- Scientists use data to formulate and test hypotheses.
- This process will involve a meeting of forensic scientists with Senior Police to discuss what evidence or tasks need to be taken place.
- Questioned samples and reference samples are crucial parts of the procedure.
Locard's Exchange Principle
- Dr. Edmond Locard's principle illustrates the idea that every interaction leaves a trace.
- This is a core concept in forensic science.
Miscarriages of Justice
- Unreliable/lack of scientific rigor in forensic techniques can lead to significant errors in legal proceedings.
Admissibility of Evidence
- Validity and reliability of scientific methods are critical for admissibility.
- A lack of scientific rigor in forensic methods and inappropriate application can create potential problems in legal proceedings.
Issues in Forensic Science
- Lack of scientific rigor in some forensic techniques and potential bias in their application can create problems.
- Subjective analyses rely heavily on the expert's experience and judgment, potentially affecting the validity and reliability of conclusions.
- Issues exist when techniques haven't been properly researched.
- Different scientists can obtain different results using the same techniques.
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Description
Explore the diverse field of forensic science, which includes various specialisms such as forensic biology, chemistry, and fingerprint analysis. Learn about its rich history, tracing back to ancient times and pivotal cases, like the first autopsy of Julius Caesar. This quiz provides insight into the application of science within legal contexts.
