Whole semester

Question 1

What is forensic Science?

Answer 1

applies scientific principles and methods to legal investigations and court proceedings

Question 2

State 5 different types of “forensic scientists”

Answer 2

Anthropologists, entomologists, toxicologists, odontologist, and pathologist

Question 3

what do anthropologists do

Answer 3

apply skeletal analysis and techniques in archaeology to solving criminal cases

Question 4

what do entomologists do?

Answer 4

study insects and their life cycles to determine the time of death or other relevant information

Question 5

what do toxicologists do?

Answer 5

analyse bodily fluids, tissues, and organs for the presence of drugs, alcohol, and poisons

Question 6

what do odontologists do?

Answer 6

identify deceased individuals, determine the cause of death, and analyse bite mark evidence

Question 7

what do pathologists do?

Answer 7

examine the bodies of people who died suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently

Question 8

Locard’s Exchange Principle

Answer 8

when a person comes in contact with an object or another person, there is always some material transferred from one to the other

Question 9

What steps are taken at a crime scene to prevent contamination?

Answer 9

the body to not be touched, the site being secured with a physical barrier, not touching any evidence

Question 10

Why are photos and drawings done at the crime scene

Answer 10

essential for accurately documenting the scene and evidence

Question 11

State the 4 types of biomolecules

Answer 11

carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids

Question 12

What is the difference between contact evidence and trace evidence?

Answer 12

contact is from physical contact between people, objects, or surfaces whereas trace is when material is transferred during contact between two surfaces

Question 13

What is an autopsy?

Answer 13

a medical examination of a body after death to determine the cause and often the manner of death.

Question 14

What tools and techniques are used by forensic scientists?

Answer 14

fingerprint analysis, DNA sequencing, digital forensics, ballistics analysis, toxicology

Question 15

How has the forensic techniques changed over the years and why?

Answer 15

more complex and advanced technology to improve accuracy

Question 16

What is DNA?

Answer 16

the molecule that carries genetic information

Question 17

What is DNA made up of?

Answer 17

nucleotides

Question 18

what are the nucleotides?

Answer 18

adenine + thymine, cytosine + guanine

Question 19

How is DNA used to assist in solving crimes?

Answer 19

comparing DNA profiles from crime scenes with those of suspects or individuals in databases

Question 20

What is PCR

Answer 20

Polymerase Chain Reaction

Question 21

Why would scientists use PCR?

Answer 21

to amplify DNA for analysis

Question 22

Stages of PCR

Answer 22

denaturing (heating up), annealing (cooling down), extension (heating up), then repeating again

Question 23

what is gel electrophoresis?

Answer 23

the technique which sorts DNA fragments based on the size of the strands

Question 24

Other than in forensic science, what is another situation in which gel electrophoresis would be used?

Answer 24

Gel electrophoresis can be used in genetic research and medical diagnostics.

Question 25

What samples could a forensic scientist collect that would contain DNA?

Answer 25

Samples include blood, hair, skin cells, and saliva.

Question 26

What are the 4 different types of blood groups?

Answer 26

The four blood groups are A, B, AB, and O.

Question 27

How can you determine a person’s blood group?

Answer 27

A person's blood group can be determined through blood typing tests.

Question 28

What blood group is considered a universal donor?

Answer 28

Blood group O is considered a universal donor.

Question 29

If you are type AB blood group, who can you receive blood from?

Answer 29

Type AB can receive blood from any blood group (A, B, AB, O).

Question 30

State 3 clues that the shape of a blood splatter provides.

Answer 30

Clues include the angle of impact, the height from which it fell, and the force of impact.

Question 31

What is the role of the nervous system in our body?

Answer 31

The nervous system coordinates and controls body activities and responses.

Question 32

State the two parts of the nervous system and explain the role of each.

Answer 32

The two parts are the central nervous system (CNS) which processes information, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) which transmits signals to and from the CNS.

Question 33

What is the polygraph test used for?

Answer 33

The polygraph test is used to measure physiological responses to determine truthfulness.

Question 34

Explain how the polygraph test works and why it is not reliable.

Answer 34

It measures heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration; however, it is not reliable due to individual variability in responses.

Question 35

What are the two different types of fingerprints that can be found at a crime scene?

Answer 35

The two types are patent (visible) and latent (invisible) fingerprints.

Question 36

How can fingerprints be detected?

Answer 36

Fingerprints can be detected using powders, chemical reagents, or digital scanning.

Question 37

state the different patterns that can be seen in fingerprints

Answer 37

The main patterns are loops, whorls, arches, and composites.

Question 38

What are the main parts of a microscope?

Answer 38

eyepiece, objective lenses, and stage

Question 39

How to determine the magnification of a specimen?

Answer 39

eyepiece magnification x objective lens magnification.

Question 40

Explain how hair can be used as evidence at a crime scene.

Answer 40

Hair can provide DNA and indicate the presence of a person at the crime scene.

Question 41

What information can hair tell you about who was at the crime scene?

Answer 41

Hair can indicate the individual's identity, race, and possibly the time of presence.

Question 42

What are the main parts of the brain?

Answer 42

The main parts are the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.

Question 43

What is memory?

Answer 43

Memory is the ability to store, retain, and retrieve information.

Question 44

What part of the brain is responsible for memory?

Answer 44

The hippocampus is primarily responsible for memory.

Question 45

There are three stages of memory. State each of these and what is involved in each of these stages.

Answer 45

The stages are encoding (processing information), storage (maintaining information), and retrieval (accessing information).

Question 46

People often refer to long-term and short-term memory. Explain the difference between these.

Answer 46

Short-term memory holds information temporarily, while long-term memory stores information for extended periods.

Question 47

Explain what an eyewitness testimony is.

Answer 47

Eyewitness testimony is a person's account of an event they observed.

Question 48

Name and explain 3 factors that can affect eyewitness testimony.

Answer 48

Factors include stress (affects recall), time (memory fades), and leading questions (can alter memories).

Question 49

What are three principles that are now followed when conducting police line-ups or using photos to identify a suspect?

Answer 49

Principles include ensuring fairness, avoiding suggestiveness, and allowing the witness to make an independent choice.

Question 50

State three ways in which forensic science has improved in the last century and how these may assist scientists in the future in solving a crime.

Answer 50

Improvements include DNA analysis, digital forensics, and advanced imaging techniques.

Question 51

What is entomology?

Answer 51

Entomology is the study of insects.

Question 52

How can entomology be used to assist at a crime scene?

Answer 52

It can help estimate the time of death by analyzing insect activity on a body.

Question 53

Advances in forensics that might be used in the future.

Answer 53

enhanced DNA sequencing and AI-driven analysis (advanced technology)

Question 54

What is the scientific method for experiments and research?

Answer 54

The scientific method includes aim, hypothesis, variables, control, interpreting results, and drawing conclusions.

Question 55

What are some skills needed in science?

Answer 55

Skills include reading measuring cylinders and using a micropipette.

Question 56

What is bioethics?

Answer 56

Bioethics is the study of ethical issues arising from advances in biology and medicine.