FIS – Exam 1 Study Guide and Practice Questions
An important ethical consideration for forensic scientists and crime scene investigators is being
aware and open about the possibility of error in our tools, techniques, or our interpretation
thereof.
True
False - ANS✔✔ True
For small police departments, which form of forensic education is currently the most common
for crime scene investigators?
Police officer
A police officer with additional training
A civilian with additional training
A civilian with a science-based college degree and additional training - ANS✔✔ A police officer
with additional training
Both forensic science research (in the lab) and applied forensic casework explicitly use the
scientific method in what way?
They test hypotheses in order to confirm a theory.
They attempt to explain why or how something happened.
There is a limitation to their conclusions
They rely on using empirical observations. - ANS✔✔ They test hypotheses in order to confirm a
theory.
One of the biggest weaknesses for investigators trying to avoid bias is the human brain's
tendency towards apophenia.
,True
False - ANS✔✔ True
Which statement is not falsifiable?
Inside a mass spectrometer, the octane found in gasoline breaks down into ions with a m/z ratio
of 14, 28, 32, 48, 54, and 93.
One member of each chromosome in a pair is inherited from your mother and the other from
your father.
The first insects to appear at a human cadaver are blow flies
Each tire produced by a mold has visually discernable differences. - ANS✔✔ Each tire produced
by a mold has visually discernable differences.
What is the purpose of a journal such as "Forensic Science International?"
To teach new practitioners what they need to know.
To keep practitioners up to date.
They post job listings.
Reading them is essential to keeping accreditation. - ANS✔✔ To keep practitioners up to date.
Which specialist would be responsible for identifying the voice of someone who has left a
threatening phone call on the governor's voice mail?
Behavioral Scientist/Forensic Psychologist
Digital Examiner
Criminalist
, Engineer - ANS✔✔ Digital Examiner
Which forensic specialty would handle a potential bite mark?
Criminalist
Toxicologist
Odontologist
Pathologist - ANS✔✔ Odontologist
Which group is the ultimate destination for physical evidence and forensic information?
District Attorneys
Detectives
Forensic Scientists
Crime Scene Investigators - ANS✔✔ District Attorneys
Which section would you only expect to find in a crime lab that served a very large, urban
population?
Fingerprinting
Drug testing/Toxicology
Firearms Examination
Violent Crime Case Review - ANS✔✔ Violent Crime Case Review
Which of the following is rarely to never a function of a crime lab?
An important ethical consideration for forensic scientists and crime scene investigators is being
aware and open about the possibility of error in our tools, techniques, or our interpretation
thereof.
True
False - ANS✔✔ True
For small police departments, which form of forensic education is currently the most common
for crime scene investigators?
Police officer
A police officer with additional training
A civilian with additional training
A civilian with a science-based college degree and additional training - ANS✔✔ A police officer
with additional training
Both forensic science research (in the lab) and applied forensic casework explicitly use the
scientific method in what way?
They test hypotheses in order to confirm a theory.
They attempt to explain why or how something happened.
There is a limitation to their conclusions
They rely on using empirical observations. - ANS✔✔ They test hypotheses in order to confirm a
theory.
One of the biggest weaknesses for investigators trying to avoid bias is the human brain's
tendency towards apophenia.
,True
False - ANS✔✔ True
Which statement is not falsifiable?
Inside a mass spectrometer, the octane found in gasoline breaks down into ions with a m/z ratio
of 14, 28, 32, 48, 54, and 93.
One member of each chromosome in a pair is inherited from your mother and the other from
your father.
The first insects to appear at a human cadaver are blow flies
Each tire produced by a mold has visually discernable differences. - ANS✔✔ Each tire produced
by a mold has visually discernable differences.
What is the purpose of a journal such as "Forensic Science International?"
To teach new practitioners what they need to know.
To keep practitioners up to date.
They post job listings.
Reading them is essential to keeping accreditation. - ANS✔✔ To keep practitioners up to date.
Which specialist would be responsible for identifying the voice of someone who has left a
threatening phone call on the governor's voice mail?
Behavioral Scientist/Forensic Psychologist
Digital Examiner
Criminalist
, Engineer - ANS✔✔ Digital Examiner
Which forensic specialty would handle a potential bite mark?
Criminalist
Toxicologist
Odontologist
Pathologist - ANS✔✔ Odontologist
Which group is the ultimate destination for physical evidence and forensic information?
District Attorneys
Detectives
Forensic Scientists
Crime Scene Investigators - ANS✔✔ District Attorneys
Which section would you only expect to find in a crime lab that served a very large, urban
population?
Fingerprinting
Drug testing/Toxicology
Firearms Examination
Violent Crime Case Review - ANS✔✔ Violent Crime Case Review
Which of the following is rarely to never a function of a crime lab?
