Technology & Digital Tools Flashcards

In forensic toxicology, which mass spectrometry technique is most commonly paired with gas chromatography (GC-MS) for confirming drug identifications?

Answer: Electron ionization

Electron ionization (EI) is the standard ionization method paired with GC-MS, producing reproducible fragmentation patterns that can be matched against library databases.

Which digital forensics principle ensures that the forensic examination does not alter the original evidence stored on a digital device?

Answer: Write blocking

Write blocking prevents any data from being written to the original storage device during forensic examination, preserving the integrity of the original evidence.

A forensic pathologist uses virtual autopsy (virtopsy) CT imaging. What is a primary advantage over traditional autopsy in certain cases?

Answer: It allows non-destructive examination before physical dissection

Virtopsy CT allows comprehensive non-destructive visualization of internal structures before any physical dissection, which is particularly valuable for religious or cultural reasons and complex trauma cases.

In forensic document examination, which technology is used to reveal hidden or altered text by detecting differences in ink reflectance across the electromagnetic spectrum?

Answer: Video spectral comparator (VSC)

A Video Spectral Comparator (VSC) uses multiple light sources and wavelengths to reveal alterations, obliterations, and ink differences invisible to the naked eye.

Which type of biometric technology is most commonly used in forensic identification from surveillance footage of individuals wearing masks?

Answer: Gait analysis

Gait analysis can identify individuals from surveillance footage even when facial features are obscured, as walking patterns are individualistic and difficult to disguise.

In forensic computing, what does the term 'slack space' refer to?

Answer: The area between the end of a file and the end of its allocated disk cluster

Slack space is the area between the logical end of a file and the end of the last disk cluster allocated to it, which may contain remnants of previously stored data.

Which technology allows forensic analysts to reconstruct 3D models of crime scenes or injuries from multiple photographs without specialized scanning equipment?

Answer: Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry uses overlapping photographs taken from multiple angles to compute precise 3D measurements and models using software algorithms.