Chapter 4: Physical Evidence

Question 1

CHaracteristics of physical evidence that are common to a group of objects or persons are termed:

Answer 1

Class Characteristics

*Soil, glass

Question 2

Evidence with _______ can be identified, with a high degree of probability, as originating with a particular person or source.

Answer 2

Individual Characteristics

Question 3

Three types of unknown or questioned samples:

Answer 3

1. Recovered crime scene sample who is the source is in question.
2. Questioned evidence that may be transferred to an offender during the commission of a crime and has been taken away by him or her.
3. Evidence from an unknown or questioned source that can be used to link multiple offenses.

Question 4

The three types of known samples are:

Answer 4

1. Standard or reference sample.
2. Control or blank samples.
3. Elimination sample.

Question 5

An _______ is taken from a source know to have had lawful access to the crime scene such as a police officer, medical technician, or occupants.

Answer 5

Elimination Samples

Question 6

There is growing evidence that within soil, there are _______ that essentially create their own distinctive DNA signatures.

Answer 6

Microbial Communities

Question 7

Soil consists of loose aggregates of accumulations of natural elements, such as:

Answer 7

1. Rocks
2. Bacteria
3. Minerals
4. Pollen
5. Fungus
6. Plant Material

Question 8

_______ is the discipline that studies pollen and spores.

Answer 8

Forensic Palynology

Question 9

Despite the fact Forensic Palynology can be a powerful investigative tool, it is extremely _______ because it is labor-intensive and requires considerable expertise and experience.

Answer 9

Underutilized

Question 10

Collect soil samples at a depth consistent with the depth at which the questioned soil may have originated. In most cases, samples will be a _______ of material taking no more than _______ from the surface.

Answer 10

a. Tablespoon

b. 1/2 inch

Question 11

Do not remove soil adhering to shoes, clothing, and tools. Do not process tools for latent prints at this time. _______the soil garments.

Answer 11

Air Dry

Question 12

Soil garments should be packaged separately in _______.

Answer 12

Paper Bags

Question 13

_______ are often present at crime scenes and overlooked by investigators.

Answer 13

Shoe and Tire Impressions

Question 14

The two major categories of impression evidence are:

Answer 14

1. Surface Impressions

2. Three-Dimensional Impressions

Question 15

_______ impressions are two dimensional. They have a length and width and by definition, lack any appreciable height. They are often called “prints” or “residual prints”.

Answer 15

Surface Impression

Question 16

_______ should be used to lift dry dust or dry residue surface impressions from clean porous or non-porous surfaces.

Answer 16

Electrostatic Dust Print Lifter

Question 17

_______ work well for lifting surface impressions are non-porous surfaces that have been enhanced with fingerprint powder.

Answer 17

Adhesive and Tape Lifters

Question 18

On porous or non-porous wet or dry surfaces, black white, or transparent _______ are good performers.

Answer 18

Gelatin Lifters

Question 19

_______ is used for casting powdered surface impressions, particularly on textured or uneven surfaces.

Answer 19

Mikrosil Forensic Silicone

Question 20

_______ are positioned directly over the surface impressions and captures detailed digital images for comparison use.

Answer 20

Electronic Shoe Print Scanner

Question 21

_______ that have a significant depth, in addition to having a length and width.

Answer 21

Three Dimensional Impressions (3DI)

Question 22

_______ is an effective method of collecting three (3DI), and they should always be photographed prior.

Answer 22

Casting

Question 23

A _______ may be used to “fix” the details, taking care not to destroy them as it is applied.

Answer 23

Silicone Release Agent or Hairspray

Question 24

When preparing Dental Stone, mix _______ pounds of dental stone and _______ ounces of water before massaging it is a gallon freezer bag for _______ minutes.

Answer 24

a. 2
b. 10-12
c. 3-5

Question 25

Pour Dental Stone mixture _______ the impression and allow it to flow or spill over the impression as opposed to pouring it directly on the impression.

Answer 25

Alongside

Question 26

On a warm day dental stone will dry in _______ minutes and longer when it is cold.

Answer 26

20-30

Question 27

When the cast is firm but still soft, identifying marks can be scratched into the back. A good practice is to also indicate on the cast the _______.

Answer 27

Direction of North.

Question 28

If an impression is frozen, use a _______.

Answer 28

Colored Spray Paint

Question 29

When working with impressions, if the snow is soft or slushy, use a _______ to keep the snow from collapsing when you add the dental stone.

Answer 29

Snow Print Wax

Question 30

_______ has long been used o cast impressions in snow.

Answer 30

Sulfur

Question 31

Paint evidence is transferred as _______, _______, or "_______" from old, dry paint.

Answer 31

a. Fresh Smears b. Dried Chips c. Chalking

Question 32

Most commonly paint transfers from one source to another in:

Answer 32

1. Burglaries | 2. Hit & Run Accidents

Question 33

Standard paint evidence samples should be the size of a _______.

Answer 33

Nickle

Question 34

One rule of thumb while collecting paint samples, is to collect _______ such samples around each area involved, which should be packaged individually.

Answer 34

Four

Question 35

A _______ occurs when it is established that two physical items were once co-joined.

Answer 35

Fractured Match

Question 36

Do not collect paint chips or particles with _______ or use it to fix the evidence to a card.

Answer 36

Transparent Tape

Question 37

Placing paint chips in _______ is not good practice, because separating them is difficult and they are often fragile.

Answer 37

Cotton

Question 38

_______ are acceptable for storing paint chip samples if they are properly sealed and protected from being bent or compressed.

Answer 38

Paper Envelopes

Question 39

Paint chips and particles should not be placed in _______, because they will develop a static electrical charge that makes them hard to handle.

Answer 39

Plastic Bags

Question 40

A _______ is ideal for packaging a paint chip, because it can be seen.

Answer 40

Clear Solid Container

Question 41

Generally, glass is _______ evidence; Glass is important as physical evidence because it is so common.

Answer 41

Class Characteristic

Question 42

Laboratory examination of glass evidence may be able to determine:

Answer 42

1. Type of glass. 2. Direction of force used to break. 3. Direction & sequence of shots fired. 4. SImilarities between evidence class & standard. 5. A fracture match, establishing that the pieces were formally joined.

Question 43

_______ move away from the point of impact.

Answer 43

Radical Fractures

Question 44

_______ more or less circle the same point.

Answer 44

Concentric Fracture Lines

Question 45

The cone in glass will be _______ the side of the bullet strike to the glass.

Answer 45

Opposite

Question 46

Glass evidence from combing hair should be done over _______.

Answer 46

Clean Paper

Question 47

Clothing and _______ should be packaged separately.

Answer 47

Shoes

Question 48

Wet clothing should be _______.

Answer 48

Air Dried

Question 49

If embedded in skins open wounds, have _______ remove them.

Answer 49

Medical Professionals

Question 50

Submit weapons and tools without disturbing _______ evidence.

Answer 50

Glass

Question 51

Samples of _______ should be labeled "inside" and "out".

Answer 51

Laminated Glass

Question 52

When a vehicle is involved, use a _______ to collect the glass from each area of the vehicle.

Answer 52

Vacuum

Question 53

Known and questioned glass samples, and evidence from victims and suspects should be _______ to avoid contamination.

Answer 53

Shipped Separately

Question 54

Glass evidence should be wrapped in _______ and sealed in a _______.

Answer 54

a. Clean Paper b. Rigid Container *Do not use glass containers.

Question 55

Fibers are of greater value as evidence because they incorporate such variables as:

Answer 55

1. Material Type 2. # of Fibers per Strand 3. # of Strands 4. Thickness of Fibers and Strand 5. Amount and Direction of Twists 6. Dye Content 7. Type of Weave 8. Possible Presence of Foreign Matter

Question 56

Both fibers and fragments should be packaged in a _______ or a folded paper that is taped shut.

Answer 56

Pillbox

Question 57

In hit & run offenses, _______ fragments may be found in the grille or undercarriage of the striking vehicle.

Answer 57

Cloth

Question 58

String, cord, route, and tape evidence is usually found in _______, _______, _______, and _______ cases.

Answer 58

a. Robbery b. Murder c. Rape d. Kidnapping

Question 59

When rope evidence is removed from a victim or from any place, _______ should never be severed.

Answer 59

Knots

Question 60

A 2010 study of 562 subjects revealed differences in patterns or knot tying between _______ handed people.

Answer 60

Right and Left

Question 61

Several different body parts, such as _______, _______, _______ and _______ have friction ridges that can form a "fingerprint".

Answer 61

a. Palms b. Fingers c. Toes d. Soles of the Feet

Question 62

A fingerprint is a replica of the friction ridges that touched the surface on which the print was found. These ridge characteristics are also called _______.

Answer 62

Minutia

Question 63

_______ are the raised portions of the finger skin, on top from which minuscule sweat pours exist.

Answer 63

Ridges

Question 64

_______ are the low area between the ridges, sort of miniature valleys.

Answer 64

Furrows

Question 65

The three major groups of fingerprints are:

Answer 65

1. Plastic Prints 2. Latent Prints 3. Patent Prints

Question 66

_______ prints are finger impressions left in pliable, soft surfaces, such as wax, soap, wet paint, or fresh caulk, putty, and explosives.

Answer 66

Plastic

Question 67

_______ prints are created when small amounts of body perspiration and oil are normally found on the ridges that are deposited on the surfaces that are touched.

Answer 67

Latent

Question 68

Latent prints is an _______ term with two different meanings.

Answer 68

Elastic

Question 69

The elastic term refers to two meanings in regard to latent prints, which are:

Answer 69

1. Fingerprints found at a scene. | 2. FIngerprints invisible to the naked eye.

Question 70

_______ prints may immediately be wholly visible, or they may be latent.

Answer 70

Patent

Question 71

The quality of latent fingerprints is affected by a number of conditions, including:

Answer 71

1. Surfaces 2. Physical or employment produced infirmities 3. Source of the contamination for visible.residue prints 4. Too much contamination fills up furrows, making a print unuseable 5. How an article was handled

Question 72

The sequence should be to attempt to recover _______ prior to developing latent prints.

Answer 72

DNA

Question 73

The process of locating latent fingerprints begins with _______.

Answer 73

Wearing latex, nitrile, or other suitable gloves.

Question 74

Shining a flashlight at an _______ angle to the surface being examined is often helpful in locating prints.

Answer 74

Oblique

Question 75

On occasion, _______ leave impressions as individualized as fingerprints.

Answer 75

Gloves

Question 76

Particular attention should be made to less obvious places for fingerprints, such as:

Answer 76

1. Underside of toilet seats. 2. Toilet handles 3. Tabletops 4. Dresser drawers 5. The surfaces of dinner plates and filing cabinets 6. The backs of rearview mirrors 7. The trunk lids of automobiles

Question 77

A person who is _______ may aid in obtaining latent prints when determining if objects were moved or out of place.

Answer 77

Familiar with the Environment

Question 78

The _______ method is used before any attempts to develop a latent fingerprint. It maximizes the possibility of recovering useful biological evidence.

Answer 78

Double Swabbing

Question 79

When bodies are discovered, the suspects may have positioned them in postmortem poses or there may be evidence that the bodies were dragged from one room to another. Such key places to look for latent fingerprints are:

Answer 79

1. Under the arms 2. Ankles 3. Neck 4. Face

Question 80

_______ is commonly used to develop latent fingerprints on dead bodies.

Answer 80

Superglue Fuming

Question 81

Although some have suggested super gluing the entire body to locate latent fingerprints, the consensus is to use an _______ to identify specific sites.

Answer 81

Alternate Light Source

Question 82

Heat lamps or any other source of artificial heat should not be used to dry the object quickly. Such objects should be allowed to _______.

Answer 82

Air-Dry Naturally

Question 83

Articles that have been _______ and need to be processed for prints must be allowed to thaw and dry naturally.

Answer 83

Frozen

Question 84

Most latent prints are lifted with a _______.

Answer 84

Clear strip of tape

Question 85

Once a print is found, it should be _______ immediately with a rigid scale in view.

Answer 85

Photographed