FDC Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the FDC exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 FDC Exam Format at a Glance
📚 FDC Topics to Study (37)
✍️ Sample FDC Questions & Answers
1. Which regulatory requirement is UNIVERSAL across all Forensic DNA Certification practice settings?
Maintaining current certification and continuing education is a universal regulatory requirement.
2. Which organization provides accreditation specifically recognized for forensic DNA laboratories in the United States?
ASCLD (American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board) provides the primary accreditation program for forensic laboratories in the US.
3. A forensic laboratory uses Chelex-100 extraction. What is the primary advantage of this method over organic extraction?
Chelex-100 extraction is faster, involves fewer steps, and does not require hazardous organic solvents like phenol-chloroform.
4. Which type of DNA database index within CODIS contains profiles from unidentified human remains?
CODIS's Unidentified Persons Index stores DNA profiles derived from unidentified human remains for comparison with profiles in the Missing Persons and Relatives of Missing Persons indices.
5. How is contamination prevented in forensic labs?
Contamination in forensic labs is rigorously prevented through strict adherence to protocols, including the use of clean, designated workspaces, sterile equipment, and personal protective equipment. Separating samples, maintaining one-way workflows, and regular decontamination of surfaces also minimize the risk of transferring foreign DNA. These measures are critical to ensure the integrity of evidence and prevent false or misleading results in forensic investigations.
6. What is Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) used for in DNA analysis?
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a fundamental technique in DNA analysis used to amplify specific segments of DNA, creating millions of copies from even a tiny sample. This amplification is crucial in forensic science because crime scene evidence often contains only minute amounts of DNA, which would otherwise be insufficient for further analysis. PCR enables the generation of enough material for techniques like STR profiling.