Physical Evidence Quiz

Who first recognized the value of trace forensic evidence in 1910?

According to Locard’s Exchange Principle, what will happen with contact between two items?

What is an example of a 'class' characteristic in paint analysis?

What are three characteristics of glass that could be used to match glass from a crime scene to a suspect?

What does the abbreviation GSR represent in ballistics?

What is rifling in ballistics?

What does the acronym IBIS mean in ballistics?

What does the acronym AFIS stand for?

What are fracture lines?

What type of insects are helpful in a murder investigation?

What types of tissues might be used for DNA testing?

What does the acronym CODIS mean?

What 4 things can be determined from skeletal remains?

What type of clues could investigators get from body fluid samples? Give two examples.

What must be present in a hair sample to test for DNA?

Forensic Science

Edmond Locard first recognized the value of trace forensic evidence in 1910.

Locard's Exchange Principle

When two items come into contact, there is an exchange of material between them.

Paint Analysis

An example of a 'class' characteristic in paint analysis is the color of the paint.

Glass Evidence

Three characteristics of glass that could be used to match glass from a crime scene to a suspect are: refractive index, dispersion, and density.

Ballistics

GSR stands for Gunshot Residue.
Rifling in ballistics refers to the spiral grooves cut into the barrel of a gun, which impart a unique pattern to a bullet as it exits the barrel.
IBIS stands for Integrated Ballistic Identification System.

Biometric Identification

AFIS stands for Automated Fingerprint Identification System.

Forensic Analysis

Fracture lines are lines that appear on a material, such as glass or plastic, when it breaks or fractures.

Entomology

Insects such as blowflies and flesh flies are helpful in a murder investigation, as they can be used to estimate the post-mortem interval (PMI).

DNA Analysis

Tissues that might be used for DNA testing include blood, saliva, and skin cells.
CODIS stands for Combined DNA Index System.
For DNA testing, hair must have the root or skin tissue attached.

Skeletal Remains

Four things that can be determined from skeletal remains are: age, sex, ancestry, and stature.

Body Fluids

Two types of clues that investigators could get from body fluid samples are: DNA evidence and drug or toxin analysis.

Test your knowledge of physical evidence with this quiz. Topics include the history of trace forensic evidence and Locard’s Exchange Principle. Learn about class characteristics and more as you complete each section of the notes.