Forensic Science Quiz

Answer the questions by selecting the answer you think is correct.

1.  The term "forensic" means: pertaining to or being used in ________.

A. the investigation of homicide
B. determining cause of death
C. scientific investigation
D. the law

2. Forensic odontologists examine which of the following evidence?

A. skeletal remains
B. teeth
C. fingerprints
D. fibers

3. Which of the following is NOT true of Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA?

A. DNA is most easily found in red blood cells
B. Identical twins have identical DNA
C. DNA can be found in fingerprints
D. DNA provides information about an individual's race

4. The examination of a strand of hair can provide information about all of the following EXCEPT:

A. What part of the body the hair is from
B. If the hair belonged to a male or female
C. If the hair was pulled out or fell out
D. If the hair is from a human or animal

5. Handwriting analysis employs which of the following techniques?

A. A visual comparison of two handwriting samples
B. Examiniation of ink samples in infrared light
C. A microscopic comparison of marks left in the ink by the pen.
D. All of the above

6. Forensic toxicologists detect and indentify all of the following substances in human tissues and organs EXCEPT:

A. Alcohol
B. Illicit substances
C. Poisons
D. Bile

7. Alec Jeffreys, an English geneticist, was the first to develop a technique to use DNA for identifying a murder suspect. In what year did he do this?

A. 1863
B. 1927
C. 1954
D. 1987

8. A forensic entomologist examines which of the following in a legal investigation?

A. Documents
B. DNA
C. Insects
D. Hair fibers

9. Which of the following can NOT be determined from skeletal remains?

A. Gender
B. Occupation
C. Intelligence
D. Health

10. When a body is discovered, which professional will be responsible for determining the cause of death?

A. An anthropologist
B. A pathologist
C. An odontologist
D. A police officer

11. What type of evidence is most commonly used to identify victims of fires or explosions?

A. Dental records
B. DNA
C. Skeletal remains
D. Fingerprints

12. In what year was the first instance of conviction based on fingerprint evidence?

A. 1900
B. 1902
C. 1917
D. 1935

13. Which government agency has one of the largest and most well- known forensic laboratories?

A. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
B. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
C. The National Security Administration (NSA)
D. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

14. In 1985, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco and Firearms (ATF) and several other agencies in Connecticut began a new program for the investigation of arson. This new program centers around specialized arson training for which investigative team?

A. The Conecticut State Police
B. The State Troopers
C. K-9 Units
D. The Connecticut Attorney General

15.  A polygraph or lie detector test can be easily faked, and is therefore inadmissible as evidence in court.

True
False

16.  Insects present at a crime scene can help forensic scientist determine how long a body has been dead.

True
False

17.  Ballistics experts are currently unable to determine if an individual was present in a room when a gun was fired.

True
False

18. Locard's Principle relating to trace evidence states that when two objects touch one another, there is a transfer of material from one object to the other.

True
False

19. There are only four types of fibers that are used in forensic fiber comparison - vegetable, animal, mineral, and man-made.

True
False

20.  Eyewitness testimony is generally reliable and accurate.

True
False

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