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forensics exam 1 > exam 1 > Flashcards

exam 1 Flashcards

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1
Q

What is forensic biology?

A

Application of the natural sciences, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, to the investigation of a crime.

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2
Q

What is a forensic biologist?

A

A scientist that is trained in biological studies and tests, evaluates and testifies in a court of law.

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3
Q

List some sub-disciplines of forensic biology.

A
  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Forensic Entomology
  • Forensic Odontology
  • Microbial forensics
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4
Q

What is a characteristic of any forensic scientist?

A

Objectivity

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5
Q

What does forensic biologist need to avoid?

A

Person subjectivity

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6
Q

What is the significance of communication for a forensic biologist?

A

Forensic biologist must explain findings in layman’s terms.

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7
Q

Who is considered the father of genetics?

A

Gregory Mendel

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8
Q

What principle did Hardy Weinberg formulate?

A

H-W principle of population genetics.

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9
Q

What significant event did Mullis develop?

A

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

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10
Q

What does PCR do?

A

Amplifies or copies a specific sequence or regions of DNA.

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11
Q

What allows us to identify blood type?

A

Antigens found in our red blood cells.

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12
Q

Why can’t blood type alone be used to identify a suspect?

A

Blood types are not discriminatory enough.

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13
Q

What did Alec Jeffreys develop?

A

DNA ‘fingerprints’

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14
Q

What is the purpose of the FBI’s STR CODIS?

A

Defines 13 core STR loci for DNA identification.

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15
Q

What is Locard’s Exchange Principle?

A

Every contact with an object or another person produces an exchange of physical evidence.

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16
Q

What is an unknown sample?

A

Sample of relevance to your case with no known origin.

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17
Q

What is a known sample?

A

Sample taken directly from a suspect or victim.

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18
Q

What are some examples of probative items?

A
  • Glasses
  • Hat
  • Belt
  • Gum
  • Phone
  • Cigarettes
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19
Q

What do NIST guidelines set?

A

Scientific standards for evidence collection, preservation, storage, identification, and DNA extraction.

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20
Q

How should a wet blood stain be collected?

A

Using pipette or swabs.

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21
Q

What is the chain of custody?

A

A list of people in possession of evidence and its history.

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22
Q

What should packaging of samples ensure?

Study These Flashcards
A

Items of separate origin should NOT be packaged together.

23
Q

What are types of contamination with evidence samples?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Cross contamination
  • Contamination by investigator
  • Bacterial contamination
  • Chemical contamination
24
Q

Why is physical evidence critical for criminal cases?

Study These Flashcards
A

Cannot depend on confessions and eyewitnesses.

25
What is the structure of eukaryotic chromosomes?
Three parts: Centromere, Telomeres, Origin of replication.
26
What does diploid mean?
Two sets of chromosomes; one copy from each parent.
27
What is the function of membrane proteins?
* Transporters * Enzymes * Cell surface receptors * Cell surface identity markers * Cell-to-cell adhesion proteins * Attachment to the cytoskeleton
28
What is forensic serology?
Laboratory tests employing specific antigen and serum antibody reactions.
29
Common evidence in forensic serology includes?
* Blood * Semen * Saliva * Urine * Perspiration * Feces * Vomit
30
What is presumptive testing?
A test that indicates a positive result for a substance, but is not confirmatory.
31
What is the basis for presumptive tests for blood?
Presence of hemoglobin.
32
What is the Kastle-Meyer test?
A presumptive test for blood that turns pink in the presence of hemoglobin.
33
What is forensic entomology?
Application of insect biology to criminal investigations.
34
What can the life cycle of insects tell us in forensics?
It can determine the time since death.
35
How are bugs collected at a crime scene?
With a net, or using forceps to place them in a container.
36
What is a DNA marker?
Location or indication on our DNA that helps in identification.
37
What does PCR stand for?
Polymerase chain reaction.
38
What is the purpose of PCR?
Amplifies or copies parts of DNA.
39
What is PCR?
Polymerase chain reaction ## Footnote PCR is a technique used to amplify or copy parts of DNA.
40
What is the basic requirement for PCR?
Thermal cycler ## Footnote A thermal cycler heats and cools samples to facilitate the PCR process.
41
What are the three main steps of PCR?
* Denaturation * Annealing * Elongation ## Footnote These steps involve splitting the DNA strands, binding primers, and synthesizing new DNA strands.
42
What does denaturation in PCR involve?
Splitting the double strand sequence apart ## Footnote This allows polymerase to bind to the single strands.
43
What role do primers play in PCR?
Bind to DNA and prepare the target for polymerase ## Footnote Primers are essential for initiating the DNA synthesis process.
44
What is the function of DNA polymerase in PCR?
Synthesize new strands of DNA ## Footnote DNA polymerase extends the DNA strands by adding nucleotides.
45
What are dNTPs in the context of PCR?
Sequence of nucleotides, building blocks ## Footnote dNTPs are essential for creating new DNA strands.
46
What is a master mix in PCR?
Contains primers and reaction components ## Footnote The master mix is essential for the PCR reaction to take place.
47
What are the advantages of PCR?
* Small amounts of DNA can be used * Degraded DNA can be analyzed * Multiplexing * Forensics identification ## Footnote These advantages make PCR a powerful tool in genetic analysis.
48
What are some disadvantages of PCR?
* Inhibitors may prevent amplification * Primer region mutations can hinder binding * Contamination risks ## Footnote These disadvantages can affect the accuracy and reliability of PCR results.
49
What precautions should be taken to prevent contamination in PCR?
* Wear gloves and lab coats * Confine hair * Use separate areas for extraction and amplification * Use dedicated instruments/reagents * Ensure reagents are sterile ## Footnote These measures help maintain the integrity of PCR samples.
50
Why is it important to prevent contamination when comparing crime scene samples to suspect samples?
To prevent misidentification and ensure accuracy ## Footnote Contamination can lead to false conclusions about a suspect's presence at a crime scene.
51
Fill in the blank: PCR can analyze ________ samples.
very little ## Footnote PCR is effective even with minimal DNA samples.
52
True or False: PCR can only be used with fresh DNA samples.
False ## Footnote PCR can analyze degraded DNA, making it versatile for forensic applications.
53
What type of cells undergo meiosis?
Sex cells/gametes ## Footnote Meiosis is the process that produces gametes for sexual reproduction.
54
forensic anthr

forensics exam 1 (2 decks)

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