Forensics Test One

Question 1

7 steps of crime scene protocol

Answer 1

1. secure and isolate the crime scene.
2. Record the crime scene.
3. Conduct a systematic search of the crime scene.
4. Collect and package evidence.
5. Maintain a chain of custody.
6. Obtain controls.
7. Submit evidence to the lab for examination.

Question 2

Locard’s Exchange Principle

Answer 2

When a criminal comes in contact with an object or person, a cross-transfer of evidence occurs.

Question 3

Death

Answer 3

The cessation of the heartbeat, respiration, or brain function.

Question 4

clinical autopsies

Answer 4

performed when the cause of death is known.

Question 5

forensic autopsies

Answer 5

performed when the cause of death is unknown.

Question 6

Ways to identify a body

Answer 6

hospital band, visual recognition, fingerprints, dental, radiology, DNA, medical features, jewlry, tattoos, scars.

Question 7

5 manners of death

Answer 7

1. natural
2. accidental
3. homicide
4. undetermined
5. suicide

Question 8

5 questions a medical examiner is trying to answer while performing an autopsy

Answer 8

1. who is the victim?
2. what injuries are present?
3. when did the injuries occur?
4. where and how were the injuries produced?
5. which injuries are significant?

Question 9

Asphyxia

Answer 9

when the body doesn’t get enough O2. Impacts the progression of rigor mortis.

Question 10

how do high temps influence rigor mortis?

Answer 10

speeds it up.

Question 11

how do low temps influence rigor mortis?

Answer 11

slows it down, or causes it to not happen.

Question 12

how does muscular activity before death influence rigor mortis?

Answer 12

rigor will develop and pass quickly.

Question 13

what is livor mortis?

Answer 13

due to the accumulation of blood in small vessels due to gravity. blood pools and causes a bruised coloration.

Question 14

how is livor mortis useful in determining the time of death?

Answer 14

starts 20-30 minutes after death, and is “fixed” 10-12 hours after death.

Question 15

what is pallor mortis?

Answer 15

post-mortem paleness in those with light/white skin.

Question 16

how is pallor mortis useful in determining the time of death?

Answer 16

occurs 15-25 minutes after death, so it cannot help much because it happens so rapidly after death.

Question 17

how does high (obese) body weight influence rigor?

Answer 17

slows down rigor.

Question 18

how does low (thin) body weight influence rigor?

Answer 18

accelerates rigor.

Question 19

how does sleep before death influence rigor mortis?

Answer 19

slows rigor.

Question 20

antemortem

Answer 20

happening before death

Question 21

perimortem

Answer 21

at or near the time of death

Question 22

postmortem

Answer 22

after death. examination of the body performed after death- autopsy.