BSFS General 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'serology' in the context of forensic science?
- The study of soil samples collected at crime scenes
- The examination of bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, and semen for identification purposes (Correct answer)
- The analysis of serial numbers on weapons
- The study of bacterial growth on human remains
Correct answer: The examination of bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, and semen for identification purposes
Forensic serology involves the identification and analysis of biological fluids to determine their nature and potentially link them to individuals.
Question 2: Which principle guides the classification of deaths as 'homicide' by a medical examiner?
- The death resulted in a criminal prosecution
- Another person's actions caused or contributed to the death (Correct answer)
- The victim was known to have enemies
- The death occurred in a public location
Correct answer: Another person's actions caused or contributed to the death
A medical examiner classifies a death as homicide when another person's volitional act caused or substantially contributed to it, regardless of criminal intent or prosecution outcome.
Question 3: What is 'ballistic fingerprinting' and how is it used forensically?
- Taking fingerprints from bullet casings recovered at a scene
- Matching fired bullets and cartridge cases to a specific firearm using microscopic marks (Correct answer)
- Tracing the trajectory of a bullet through a scene
- Identifying the brand of ammunition from chemical composition
Correct answer: Matching fired bullets and cartridge cases to a specific firearm using microscopic marks
Ballistic fingerprinting compares the microscopic marks left on fired bullets and casings by a specific firearm to link recovered evidence to a particular weapon.
Question 4: In forensic chemistry, what is a 'presumptive test'?
- A definitive test that provides courtroom-admissible results
- A preliminary screening test indicating a substance may be present, requiring confirmation (Correct answer)
- A test conducted before a warrant is obtained
- A test based on the suspect's presumed guilt
Correct answer: A preliminary screening test indicating a substance may be present, requiring confirmation
Presumptive tests are rapid, inexpensive screening tools that indicate the possible presence of a substance but can produce false positives and require confirmatory testing.
Question 5: What does 'forensic anthropology' primarily study?
- Cultural practices of criminal communities
- Skeletal and decomposed human remains to assist in legal investigations (Correct answer)
- Psychological profiles of offenders
- Social factors contributing to criminal behavior
Correct answer: Skeletal and decomposed human remains to assist in legal investigations
Forensic anthropology applies physical anthropology and osteology to analyze human skeletal remains, helping identify individuals and determine circumstances of death.
Question 6: Which court case established the 'beyond a reasonable doubt' standard as constitutionally required in US criminal trials?
- Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals (1993)
- In re Winship (1970) (Correct answer)
- Frye v. United States (1923)
- Brady v. Maryland (1963)
Correct answer: In re Winship (1970)
In re Winship (1970) established that due process requires the prosecution to prove every element of a criminal offense beyond a reasonable doubt.
Question 7: What is the function of the 'Combined DNA Index System' (CODIS) in forensic investigations?
- A national database of fingerprints maintained by the FBI for identification
- A national DNA database that allows crime labs to compare DNA profiles from evidence with profiles from known individuals and unsolved cases (Correct answer)
- A system for cataloging physical evidence collected at federal crime scenes
- A database of convicted offenders' photographs and identifying information
Correct answer: A national DNA database that allows crime labs to compare DNA profiles from evidence with profiles from known individuals and unsolved cases
CODIS is the FBI's national DNA database that enables forensic laboratories to compare DNA profiles from crime scene evidence against profiles of convicted offenders and other cases, aiding in identifying suspects.
BSFS General 5
What is 'serology' in the context of forensic science?