Types of Evidence

Question 1

What type of fingerprints are taken when collected in a controlled environment?

Answer 1

Full image of fingerprints. Nail line to nail line for each finger.

Question 2

The ability to collect/lift fingerprints on a crime scene is dependent upon:

Answer 2

-Material surface
-Moisture/Temperature
-Sliding/Smudges

Question 3

A lifted fingerprint is referred to as what?

Answer 3

A Latent Fingerprint

Question 4

A latent fingerprint is a partial or full print?

Answer 4

Partial

Question 5

What is the most common technique to locate and lift fingerprints?

Answer 5

Dusting

Question 6

Dusting

Answer 6

Soft brush, dust a graphite powder over a surface, oil from fingerprints adheres to the powder, life the print with an adhesive

Question 7

National database for fingerprints

Answer 7

AFIS. Automated Fingerprints Identification System

Question 8

Who maintains AFIS?

Answer 8

FBI

Question 9

Limitations of Fingerprint Evidence

Answer 9

-Number of fingerprints
-Quality of latent
-Time consuming

Question 10

Strengths of AFIS

Answer 10

-75% of adults have a fingerprint in the system
-Comparing a full image to another full image is very effective in the system

Question 11

Weaknesses of AFIS

Answer 11

Comparing a full image to a partial print - a pointer system, still requires an expert to make direct matches

Question 12

Most common Impression Evidence

Answer 12

-Shoe markings/footprints
-Tire markings

Question 13

Shoe markings are collected as what?

Answer 13

A cast

Question 14

Strengths of Impressions of Shoe Markings

Answer 14

-People tend to keep their shoes for a really long time
-Bottom of shoe is very unique
-If you can find the suspects show you can do one to one comparison with the wear marks

Question 15

Weakness of Impressions of Shoe Markings

Answer 15

-No database for shoes
-Only works for one to one comparison, meaning you have to find the shoe in order for this to work

Question 16

Strengths of Tire Impressions

Answer 16

-through expert determine width of the ture
-manufacture and model of tire by the tread
-if you can find the suspect tire you can compare to tire and do a one to one comparison

Question 17

Limitations of Tire Impressions

Answer 17

-No national tire database
-Only be used in a one to one comparison, meaning you must identify tire
-In a skid, you loose the ability to make a one to one comparison

Question 18

Ballistic Evidence

Answer 18

Captures and digitally photographs the fine markings, stripes and other markings on bullets and cartridges that are created during the process of firing a gun

Question 19

National database for bullets and casings

Answer 19

NIBIN. National Integrated Ballistic Information Network

Question 20

Who maintains NIBIN?

Answer 20

ATF. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

Question 21

Cartridge Components

Answer 21

-Projective (bullet)
-Casing
-Propellant
-Ignition (primer)

Question 22

Cartridge

Answer 22

An unfired round of ammunition

Question 23

Bullet/Projectile

Answer 23

The projectile, comes out of the gun

Question 24

Casing

Answer 24

To hold the bullet in the case before it is fired

Question 25

Primer

Answer 25

The bottom of the casing, small silver disk, ignition switch

Question 26

Two types of handguns

Answer 26

-Semi-Automatic Pistol -Revolver

Question 27

Rifiling Effect

Answer 27

Grooves that are carved into the barrel of the gun, spins the bullet that allows the bullet to travel in a straight line, increases the accuracy

Question 28

3 Points of Comparison of a Semi-Automatic Pistol

Answer 28

-Firing pin marks (bottom of casing) -Ejection marks (side of casing) -Bullet (lands and grooves)

Question 29

What comparison of a semi-automatic pistol easiest to compare?

Answer 29

Primer/Firing Pin Marks

Question 30

Does the casing eject or stay in a semi-automatic pistol?

Answer 30

Eject

Question 31

Does the casing eject in a revolver?

Answer 31

No, it stays in the cylinder of the gun

Question 32

What is the only point of comparison on a revolver?

Answer 32

Land and groove marks on the bullet

Question 33

T/F. Revolvers have a riffling effect.

Answer 33

True

Question 34

Limitation of a revolver

Answer 34

Only 5 -6 shots can be made before reloading

Question 35

How do bullets eliminate the possibility of comparison?

Answer 35

When bullets are fired they become compressed and distorted after coming into contact with a hard object

Question 36

Do shot guns have a rifling effect?

Answer 36

No

Question 37

What is the point of comparison for a shotgun?

Answer 37

The firing pin marking on the primer

Question 38

How does a casing eject in a shotgun?

Answer 38

Requires manually pumping

Question 39

T/F. A rifle has the same points of comparison as a semi-automatic pistol.

Answer 39

True

Question 40

T/F. Submachine guns work the same way as a rifle

Answer 40

F. They work the same way as a semi-automatic pistol.

Question 41

Are submachine guns accurate?

Answer 41

No, due to their short barrel

Question 42

How can you usually tell when a submachine gun was used in a crime?

Answer 42

There are lots of rounds among the scene

Question 43

T/F. Gun shot residue is traceable

Answer 43

F. It is completely untraceable

Question 44

What does gun residue tell us?

Answer 44

Tells us when someone has recently fired a gun

Question 45

When is gun residue most reliable?

Answer 45

Most reliable when a person is stopped right after the crime and close the crime scene