CFC Crime Scene Reconstruction 5

Question 1

What is 'mechanism of death' and how does it differ from 'cause of death' in reconstruction?

Accepted Answer

Mechanism is the physiological process causing death (e.g., hemorrhage); cause is the injury or disease initiating it (e.g., gunshot wound)

Answer

Cause of death is the injury, disease, or condition that started the chain of events leading to death, while mechanism is the specific physiological disturbance (e.g., exsanguination, hypoxia) that actually caused cessation of life.

Question 2

In a stabbing reconstruction, what does the presence of 'hesitation marks' typically indicate?

Accepted Answer

Multiple shallow wounds preceding the fatal wound, suggesting the decedent may have self-inflicted the injury

Answer

Hesitation marks are multiple shallow, superficial incisions often found near the fatal wound and are classically associated with self-inflicted wounds in suicide investigations.

Question 3

A forensic reconstructionist examining a hit-and-run scene finds 'yaw marks' on the road. What do these indicate?

Accepted Answer

A vehicle's rear end slid sideways relative to its direction of travel, leaving curved parallel tire marks

Answer

Yaw marks are curved tire friction marks created when a vehicle slides sideways (rotates around its vertical axis), indicating the driver lost lateral control of the vehicle.

Question 4

Which concept describes the minimum number of events that must have occurred to account for all physical evidence at a scene?

Accepted Answer

Parsimony principle, requiring the simplest reconstruction consistent with all evidence

Answer

The parsimony principle (Occam's Razor applied to reconstruction) requires that the reconstruction account for all physical evidence using the fewest necessary assumptions or events.

Question 5

In an explosion scene reconstruction, 'brisance' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The shattering effect of an explosive's detonation wave that fragments nearby materials

Answer

Brisance is the shattering capacity of an explosive produced by the detonation shock wave, distinguishing high explosives (high brisance) from low explosives (deflagration, low brisance).

(CFC) Certified Forensic Consultant Practice Test

(CFC) Certified Forensic Consultant Practice Test

CFC Crime Scene Reconstruction 5