question

Forensic Toxicology

answer

examination of all aspects of toxicology (the study of drugs and poisons that may have legal implications)

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Postmortem Drug Testing

answer

examination performed on blood, urine, and/or body tissues to determine if drugs were a contributing factor in a death

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Contraband

answer

in forensic toxicology and drug testing facilities refers to suspected controlled

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Vitreous Humor

answer

ocular fluid (fluid in the eye) that is often utilized as a sample for testing in postmortem toxicology

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Workplace Drug Testing

answer

examination performed on primary blood and urine from employees or job applicants for drug content

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NIDA

answer

national institute of drug abuse

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Accuracy

answer

ability of a measurement to match the value of the quantity measured; correctness

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Amphetamine

answer

controlled substance along with its analogs , such as methamphetamine that creates a state of wakefulness, euphoria, and excitatory condition (stimulation)

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Hallucinogen

answer

psychoactive drug that induces hallucinations or alters sensory experiences

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Narcotic

answer

addictive substance that reduces pains, alters mood and behavior, and usually induces sleep or stupor

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Cannabinoids

answer

term applied to marijuana and parts of the plant cannabis sativa in which tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active agent

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Phencyclidine

answer

PCP; drug originally developed as a surgical anesthetic that was discontinued due to adverse patients reactions; abusers of the drug often experience severe psychiatric manifestations

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Cyanide

answer

CN; highly toxic chemical especially in the form of gas (hydrogen cyanine)

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Chain of Custody

answer

documented process the evidence goes through from the point of gathering to the final presentation in the court; intended to assure that there has been no tampering or altering the evidence

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Gas Chromatography

answer

gas flowing through a coated tube separates compounds by their size, weight, and chemical reactivity with the coating of the tube or column

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Immunoassays

answer

tests utilizing antibodies that react with the drug or substance that recognizes the antibody

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Fluorescence

answer

property of a product producing light when acted upon by radiant energy

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Chemiluminescence

answer

process by which light is emitted as a product of a chemical reaction

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TLC

answer

wet chemical test known as thin layer chromatography

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Ultraviolet

answer

area of the light spectrum just past visible violet and before the x-ray region

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Enhancement

answer

rendering an impression more visible through physical, photographic, chemical, or digital methods

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Retention Time

answer

time required for a substance to travel from the injection port to the detector in a gas or liquid chromatographic system

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Mass Spectrometry

answer

technique based of the detection of vaporized molecules and their ionized (charged) fragments; detection and display of the spectra are based on the mass-to-mass charge ratios of the ions; method is specific for qualitative analysis and useful for quantitative analysis

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Chemical Ionization

answer

a type of mass spectrometry in which a molecule reacts under relatively low energy with a reagent gas rather than fragmenting extensively

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NIST

answer

national institute of standards and technology

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LC-MS

answer

liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry is a technique that replaces a gas chromatograph with a liquid chromatograph

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AAS

answer

atomic absorption spectroscopy; technique for metal analysis utilizing the reduction of a metal in a solution to an atom, usually by a flame

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NAA

answer

neutron activation analysis; technique for metal analysis utilizing the characteristics of emitted radiation for the detection and quantitation of metals

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Nucleus

answer

cellular organelle surrounded by a nuclear envelope; it encloses the chromosomes during the interphase

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ICP-MS

answer

inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy; modern technique for metal analysis that utilizes radio frequency energy for the detection and quantitation of metals

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Isotopes

answer

chemical element that exits in alternate forms containing identical numbers of protons and different numbers of neutrons

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Toxicogenomics

answer

field of science that deals with how genomes respond to toxins

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LD50

answer

quantity of a substance that kills 50 percent of the population

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GC-MS

answer

acronym for gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

question

Who was the first to use fingerprinting as a method of identification on a large scale?

answer

Sir William Hershel-1856

question

Who was the first to devise a method of classification based on fingerprints?

answer

Dr. Henry Faulds-1880

question

Who's was the first official use of a fingerprint in the United States?

answer

Gilbert Thompson-1882

question

What were Sir Francis Galton's calculations of the odds of two individual fingerprints being the same?

answer

1 in 64 billion

question

Who began the first fingerprint files?

answer

Juan Vucetich -1891

question

When was the first criminal fingerprint identification made?

answer

1892

question

When was the introduction of fingerprints for criminal identification in England and Wales?

answer

1901

question

What is the classification system for fingerprinting used in all English speaking countries called?

answer

Henry Classification System

question

What does AFIS stand for?

answer

Automated Fingerprint Identification System

question

What does the AFIS do?

answer

Provides: -Automated fingerprint search -latent print searching capability -electronic image storage -electronic exchange of fingerprints and responses 24/7

question

What does the acronym CPIN stand for? How does it work?

answer

C-Commonwealth P-Photo I-Imaging N-Network A computer network that extends PA and is used to record and store digital photos of crime suspects

question

Ballistics

answer

the science that deals with the motion, behavior, and effects of projectiles, most often firearms and bullets.

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Odontology

answer

in forensics, examination of bite marks and dental identification of corpses.

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Pathology

answer

investigation of sudden, unexplained, or violent death.

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Entomology

answer

the study of insects.

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Palynology

answer

the study of pollen and spores.

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Polygraphy

answer

the use of the "lie detector". Polygraph = lie detector

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Laceration

answer

Caused by a blunt object

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Incised wounds

answer

Caused by a sharp object

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Perforating gunshot wound

answer

Has an entrance and an exit wound

question

Penetrating gunshot wound

answer

Does not have an exit wound.

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Mechanism of Death

answer

Biochemical or physiologic abnormality produced by the cause of death that is incompatible with life

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Manner of Death MOD

answer

The fashion in which the cause of death came to be.

question

Rigor mortis

answer

Stiffening of the muscles that occurs following the death of a person. The glycogen in the body is not reformed leaving muscles stiff

question

Livor Mortis

answer

Discoloration of the body which occurs from te settling of red blood cells after the blood stops circulating. Lividity becomes fixed at 12hrs

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Algor Mortis

answer

Cooling of the body that occurs after death. This obviously varies greatly.

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Mechanical traumas

answer

Can be sharp or blunt. Blunt traumas are further divided into firearm and non-firearm.

question

Non-penetrating traumas

answer

Can be sharp or blunt. Blunt traumas are further divided into firearm and non-firearm.

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GSR

answer

Gun shot residue Gun powder leftover from shooting a gun

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DOA

answer

Dead on arrival, Death on Arrival

question

Cannabis

answer

marujuana;pot

question

Teratogen

answer

an agent that can cause birth defects in an embryo or fetus. two well-known examples are alcohol and thalidomide.

question

Alkaloid

answer

Examples are cocaine, nicotine, strychnine, caffenine, and morphine.

question

Analgesics

answer

drugs that relieve pain.

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Presumptive Test

answer

test that presumes the presence of the questioned substanced; also called a screening test.

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Osteons

answer

structures in bones that carry the blood supply.

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Femur

answer

long bone found in the leg extending from the hip to the knee.

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Tibia

answer

long bone found in the leg extending from the knee to the ankle.

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Humerus

answer

long bone found in the arm extending from the shoulder to the elbow. upper arm

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Radius

answer

long bone found in the arm extending from the elbow to the wrist.

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Os Pubis

answer

area on the anterior side of the pelvis where the hip bones come together.

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Ventral Arc

answer

a bony ridge that is formed on the ventral (lower) side of the female os pubis.

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Epiphyses

answer

growth plates found at the ends of the long bones. they form in adolescence and fuse to the bone during early adulthood.

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Diaphysis

answer

the shaft of a long bone.

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Iliac Crest

answer

found on the top of the hip bone.

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Clavicle

answer

also known as the collarbone; its medial ends meet in the center of the body.

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Sutures

answer

immovable joints where bonesare joined together. they are visible as seams on the surface.

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Symphysis

answer

a place where two bones meet and may rub together.

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Caucasoid

answer

descriptor for people of European, Middle Eastern, and East Indian descent.

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Negroid

answer

descriptor for people of African, Aborigine, and Melanesian descent.

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Monogoloid

answer

descriptor for people of Asian, Native American, Polynesian descent.

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Modus Operandi (MO)

answer

the characteristic method of operation of a criminal; sometimes referred to as MO.

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Statutory Law

answer

legislative acts declaring, commanding, or prohibiting something.

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Common Law or Case Law

answer

Type of law that is formulated by judges or determined by court decisions.

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Civil Law

answer

A law that governs relationships between individuals and defines their legal rights.

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Criminal Law

answer

Codes of behavior related to the protection of property and individual safety

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Misdemeanor

answer

a minor crime, less than a felony, usually punished with a fine or confinement other than in a prison.

question

Felony

answer

a serious crime, such as murder, punishable by more than one year of imprisonment up to excution.

question

What is the two-pronged test that foresic pathologists use?

answer

First, is the death sudden. Second, was the death expected.(i.e. if person had been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease then death would have been expected even if sudden.

question

What two methods to pathologist use to obtain DNA from victim for future DNA analysis?

answer

A drop of blood or a hair with the blub still attached

question

What are the three major subgroupings of forensic psychiatry?

answer

Criminal forensic psychiatry, civil forensic psychiatry, administrative forensic psychiatry.

question

Dactyloscopy

answer

the study of fingerprints. the word is drived from the Greek daktulos, meaning finger.

question

Anthropometry

answer

the study of human body measurements. the word is derived from the Greek anthropos, meaning man.

question

Loop

answer

fingerprint pattern with one or more ridges entering from one side, curving, then going out on the same side entered.

question

Delta

answer

triangular area found in all loop and whorl patterns

question

Core

answer

area found near the center of all loop and whorl patterns.

question

Whorl

answer

fingerprint pattern with at least two deltas and a core.

question

Arch

answer

least common and simpliest fingerprint pattern. they have no delta or core. all ridges enter one side and exit the other.

question

Visible Print

answer

fingerprint left by a finger that has touched blood, paint, ink, or the like.

question

Latent Print

answer

fingerprint made by the deposit of perspiration or body oils; invisible to the naked eye until developed.

question

Minutiae

answer

in description of fingerprints, ridge characteristics.

question

Bifurcations

answer

common minutiae, shaped like a two-pronged fork.

question

Locard Exchange Principle

answer

there is always a cross transfer of evidence between suspect and victim or locale.

question

Cuticle (Hair)

answer

tough, clear outside covering of the hair shaft.

question

Cortex (Hair)

answer

middle layer of the hair shaft that provides strength; compromises most of the hair mass.

question

Medulla (Hair)

answer

the spongy anterior core of hair that gives it flexibilty; appears as a canal in the middle of the shaft.

question

Keratin

answer

A fiber protein that is the principal component of hair, skin, and nails is

question

False Positive

answer

a test result that comes out positive when it should not; often caused by comtamination or failure to run a control.

question

Catalyst

answer

a small amount of a substance that increases the rate of a reaction without being used up in the process.

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Viscosity

answer

the resistance of a fluid to flow. water is low relative to syrup. heating generally lowers this of a liquid.

question

Homopolymers

answer

polymers made up of one type of repeating unit. each is made from one monomer only.

question

Polyethers

answer

a series of carbon atoms connected by oxygen atoms.

question

Chromatography

answer

A technique that is used to separate the components of a mixture based on the tendency of each component to travel or be drawn across the surface of another material.

question

Elute

answer

to extract one material from another, usually by means of a solvent.

question

Designer Drug

answer

drugs synthesized with particular pharmacological characteristics, designed for abuse and evasion of specific drug laws.

question

Cheliloscopy

answer

the study of lip prints, from the Greek word cheilos, meaning lip.

question

Conchoidal Fracture

answer

A curved fracture surface; looks like the inside of a clam shell

question

Hemoglobin

answer

the oxygen carrier that gives red blood cells their color. it is composed of four globen (protein) chains, each with heme group.

question

Precipitin Test

answer

test that distingushes between human and animal blood

question

Chemiluminescence

answer

the emmission of light from a chemical reaction. within an organism such as a firefly. it is called bioluminescence.

question

Antigens

answer

foreign substances in the body that are capable of causing disease. the presence of antigens triggers an immune response, usually the production of antibodies.

question

Agglutinate

answer

an allergic reaction where red blood cells clump together, usually in response to a particular antibody.

question

Serology

answer

the laboratory study of body fluids using specific antigen and serum antibody reactions.

question

Erythrocytes

answer

red blood cells.

question

Leukocytes

answer

White Blood Cells

question

ABO

answer

a basic classification system for blood types based upon the reaction of antigens and antibodies.

question

Taxonomy

answer

the classification ont things in an orderly way that indicates natural relationships.

question

Carrion

answer

the carcass of a dead and decaying animal.

question

Postmortem Interval (PMI)

answer

the time elapsed since a person has died.

question

Caliber

answer

A measure of the inside diameter of a firearm barrel

question

Bore

answer

the interior diameter of a gun barrel.

question

Gauge

answer

A measure related to the diameter of the bore and the size of the shotshell designed for that bore

question

Shot

answer

lead spheres in a shotgun shell.

question

Slug

answer

a single shot or bullet in a shotgun shell.

question

Striae

answer

parallel sets of scratches on a bullet caused by unique markings in the bore of a rifled weapon.

question

Head Stamp

answer

numerals, letters, and symbols on the base of a cartridge showing the manufacturer, caliber, and code.

question

Breech

answer

portion of the gun that contains the firing mechanism.

question

Magazine

answer

a container that holds cartridges under spring pressure to be fed into the gun's chamber; also called a clip.

question

Chamber

answer

part of the firearm that contains a cartridge for firing.

question

Blind Forgery

answer

one made without a model of this signnature or writing being forged.

question

Forgery

answer

an item prepared with the intent to deceive or defraud. it can be an autograph, a book, a painting, a baseball card, a stamp, an antique, or almost anything.

question

Simulated Forgery

answer

one made by copying a genuine signature.

question

Traced Forgery

answer

one made by tracing a genuine signature.

question

Indented Writing

answer

impressions left under paper that has been written on.

question

When were psychologists recognized in court?

answer

Jenkins v United States 1962

question

Name the 4 roles of a forensic psychologists.

answer

1. Research: investigate legal processes and phenomena 2. Intervention (aka treatment or therapy) 3. Assessment: psychological appraisal 4. Consultation: provide information to agencies including police departments judges, attorneys and jail staff

question

What is the most prevalent area of forensic psychology research?

answer

Eyewitness testimony

question

Confession.

answer

Admission of guilt • Most damaging piece of evidence in a trial

question

False confession.

answer

Admission of guilt by an innocent person

question

Name the 3 primary reasons for a false confession.

answer

1. Publicity 2. To end punishment 3. Highly suggestible and stressed

question

Name 2 main roles of a forensic psychologist in assessment.

answer

1. Involves test administration 2. Testify as expert witness

question

What are the 3 primary states when testifying as an expert witness?

answer

1. Dangerousness: likelihood to cause emotional or physical harm 2. Competency: ability to understand nature and purpose of court proceedings 3. Insanity: legal term for unsoundness of mind such that nature of a (criminal) act was not perceived to be wrong

question

What are the 4 areas of dangerousness?

answer

1. Violence 2. Suicide 3. Child and domestic abuse 4. Sexual abuse

question

Name 2 way to be considered for insanity.

answer

1. Cannot distinguish fantasy from reality 2. Subject to uncontrollable impulsive behavior

question

Name 2 possible verdicts if one is found insane.

answer

1. Not guilty by reason of insanity 2. Not guilty by reason of temporary insanity

question

Signature

answer

Unique manner in which a person commits crime to emotionally fulfill himself

question

Who was the Vampire of Sacramento? Give some background information.

answer

• Richard Trenton Chase • Unemployed, white male, 27 years old • Lived alone, 1 block from killings • Found body parts and bloodstained blender, calendar with more dates

question

What is Algor mortis? Time Frame

answer

Definiton:Decrease in body temperature after death Time:Body cools at a rate of 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit per hour for the first 12 hours then 1 degree Fahrenheit per hour for the next 12 to 18 hours

question

What is Livor Mortis? Time Frame?

answer

Definition:Purple/red discoloration in the dependent areas of the body due to accumulation of blood after cardiac activity has ceased Time:Begins between 30 minutes to 2 hours after death Usually "fixed" by 8 to 12 hours after death

question

What are the specific types of lividity and what causes them?

answer

Cherry red lividity: carbon monoxide poisoning, cyanide poisoning and cold temperatures ~Minimal lividity: hypovolemic shock or anemia

question

What was the first published account involving a convition based on bite marks as evidence.

answer

Doyle v. State; Texas, 1954

question

Pathology

answer

The study of disease

question

Biopsy

answer

Examination of a tissue sample

question

Theory

answer

A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena

question

Autopsy

answer

An examination of the body after death usually with such dissection as will expose the vital organs for determining the cause of death.

question

Cytopathology

answer

study of the diseases of cells

question

Clinical pathology

answer

Involves the analysis and interpretation of the chemical, hormonal, and biochemical components of body fluids to determine whether a disease is present

question

Microbiology

answer

Involves the testing and diagnosis of material to determine which infectious organism is infecting or investing the patient

question

Histopathology

answer

Microscopic analysis of diseased tissue

question

Hematopathology

answer

Diagnosis blood disease And blood forming organs

question

Neuropathologist

answer

Focuses on disease of the nervous system

question

Dermatopathology

answer

Focuses on skin diseases

question

Forensic pathology

answer

Main effort is to determine the cause of death and the circumstances of how the death occurred

question

Coroner

answer

Word comes a from the Anglo-Norman word corouner, a word derived from coroune ("crown"). May not be physician/ pathologist. Usually decides if an autopsy is needed then hires a hospital/ forensic pathologist to perform. Is given past medical records and injuries

question

Medical Examiner

answer

Forensic pathologist (death investigator) Does not work from a medical chart. Examining clothes is very important in establishing how the death occurred

question

CT

answer

Computed tomography

question

MRI

answer

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

question

Postmortem interval

answer

Time of death

question

Algor mortis

answer

Cooling of the body; normal temp is approx 98.6° and this is maintained 1-3 hours after death then the body begins to cool at a rate of approx 1° per hour

question

Livor mortis

answer

Discoloration of the body; occurs when the heart stops beating, the blood stops circulating and stagnates.

question

Rigor mortis

answer

Stiffening of the body; begins 20 minutes after death with the smaller muscles of the jaw then continues over the next 6-12 hours and over the next 12-24 hours disappears ually in the same way it appeared

question

Postmortem lividity

answer

the setting of the blood in the body after death, which results in a blue/purple discoloration of the skin

question

Contusion

answer

A black or blue injury

question

Cadaveric spasm

answer

The muscles contract forcibly at the moment of death

question

Autolysis

answer

Self loosen; occurs inside the body and affects internal organs, including the brain.

question

Marbling

answer

Greenish discoloration begins around the belly button and the numerous veins beneath the skin become visible and may also show greenish discoloration

question

Mummification

answer

The skin shrinks and dries, occurs under specific environmental conditions

question

Adipocere

answer

Waxy fat; happens with bodies under water

question

Floaters

answer

Decomposed bodies ; wet floaters found in water and dry floaters are found on land

question

Macerated

answer

softening and breaking down of skin from prolonged exposure to moisture

question

Skeletonization

answer

The end result of decomp.. Accelerated by bugs who have infested the body.

question

Forensic entomologist

answer

Person who studies bugs; can determine the approximate postmortem interval based on the type and stage of the insect larvae present

question

Presumptive ID

answer

Identification found on a persons unidentifiable body that is not considered an ID. A positive ID must be made, usually done by friends or relatives.

question

Forensic odontologist

answer

Forensic dentist; can examine and x-ray the teeth and compare to files of the deceaseds local dentist.

question

Forensic anthropologist

answer

Person who studies bones; can help determine the age, sex, race, and approx height. PHYSICAL anthro can reconstruct an accurate face from a skull.

question

Manner of death

answer

How death occurred; 5 possibilities - natural -accidental -suicide -homicide -undetermined

question

Pericardium

answer

Firbrous sac that encloses the heart. Opened during an autopsy to remove the heart.

question

Arteriosclerosis

answer

Hardening of the arteries

question

Myocardial Infarction

answer

The blockage of blood to the heart resulting I'm the death of the heart muscle

question

Small intestines

answer

Duodenum, jejunum, and ileum

question

Meninges

answer

Membranes that surround the brain.

question

Dura mater

answer

(Meninges) lies just beneath the internal surface of the skull; firm, touch, and fibrous membrane that covers the outside of the brain.

question

Epidural hemmorhage

answer

Hemorrhage due to trauma between the dura mater and the skull

question

Subdural hemorrhage

answer

Blood lies below the dura mater

question

Arachnoid

answer

Two filmy, thin, transparent membranes that cover the brain directly below the mater

question

Pia mater

answer

The transparent innermost membrane covering the brain

question

Leptomenginges

answer

The almost inseparable combination of the delicate middle arachnoid (spider-web like membrane) and the transparent inner membrane covering the brain, the pia mater

question

Provisional anatomic diagnoses

answer

A listing made of the autopsy findings made by a forensic pathologist

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