Forensic Science Principles & Investigative Methods Flashcards
7 cards from real CFC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Forensic Science Principles & Investigative Methods flashcards as text
What is the purpose of a 'Questioned Documents' examination in a fraud investigation involving a will?
Answer: To authenticate the signature and detect any alterations or forgeries in the document
Document examiners compare handwriting characteristics, ink dating, paper analysis, and printing methods to determine whether a will is genuine or has been forged or altered.
Which investigative technique is used to visualize latent fingerprints on porous surfaces such as paper?
Answer: Ninhydrin treatment
Ninhydrin reacts with amino acids in sweat residue on porous surfaces, producing a purple compound (Ruhemann's purple) that makes latent prints visible.
A forensic consultant is retained in a civil product liability case. Which standard of proof must the evidence meet?
Answer: Preponderance of the evidence
Civil cases require proof by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning it is more likely than not (greater than 50%) that the claims are true.
In digital forensics, what does 'write-blocking' accomplish during evidence acquisition?
Answer: It prevents any data from being written to the original evidence media during imaging
A write-blocker is a hardware or software device that allows forensic examiners to read data from storage media without altering or adding any data on the original device.
Which of the following is an example of 'trace evidence' at a crime scene?
Answer: Glass fragments, hair fibers, or paint chips transferred during a crime
Trace evidence consists of small, often microscopic materials transferred between persons, objects, or environments, including fibers, glass, soil, paint, and hair.
When a forensic consultant's findings support the opposing party in a legal dispute, the most ethical course of action is to:
Answer: Report all findings objectively, regardless of which party they favor
Forensic consultants must maintain objectivity and report all findings honestly; advocacy for a party rather than for the truth violates professional and ethical standards.
What is the primary purpose of autopsy in a forensic death investigation?
Answer: To determine cause of death, manner of death, and collect evidence
A forensic autopsy systematically examines internal and external findings to establish cause of death (what killed the person), manner of death (homicide, suicide, accident, natural, or undetermined), and to collect biological evidence.