Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Already
Graded A+ | Guaranteed Success!! Newest Exam
Forensic Science
A profession of scientists whose work answers questions for the courts
through reports and testimony; includes pathology, anthropology, DNA
analysis, toxicology, and criminalistics. Overall Definitions
Forensic Science Backlog
The accumulation of unprocessed forensic evidence in crime labs due to high
demand and insufficient resources; affects hundreds of thousands of cases.
Overall Definitions
LIMS
Laboratory Information Management System; software used to manage lab
workflow, track samples, maintain chain of custody, schedule tests, and
generate reports in forensic labs. Overall Definitions
LIMS functions
Track samples from receipt to final reporting; maintain chain of custody
records; generate case reports; manage test scheduling; support QA/QC
compliance and documentation. Overall Definitions
,Physical Evidence
Tangible items collected from a crime scene that can be subjected to
scientific testing to establish facts in a legal proceeding. Overall
Definitions
Producer (forensic consumerism)
The entity producing analytical reports; the forensic scientist. Overall
Definitions
Scientific Integrity
A commitment to truthfulness, personal accountability, and vigorous
adherence to standards of professional conduct; the foundation of reliable
forensic science.
Overall Definitions
Transparency (forensic labs)
Operating in a way that outside consumers can follow actions taken during
field or lab operations; ensures independence and identifies conflicts of
interest. Overall Definitions
Causes of Backlog
Underfunding of crime labs; insufficient qualified personnel; increasing
demand for forensic evidence; limited lab capacity; increasing case
complexity. Evidence & Backlog
, Challenges of Backlog
Delays in justice; evidence degradation over time; statute of limitations
expiring; re- traumatization of victims; wrongful convictions from
unanalyzed exculpatory evidence. Evidence & Backlog
DNA Backlog
Thousands of unanalyzed DNA samples awaiting processing in crime labs;
especially severe for sexual assault kit (rape kit) evidence. Evidence &
Backlog
Locations of Backlog
State crime labs; local/municipal crime labs; federal labs (FBI); specialized
DNA processing units; medical examiner offices. Evidence & Backlog
Rape Kit Backlog
Hundreds of thousands of sexual assault evidence kits that have not been
processed; delays justice for victims and allows perpetrators to remain free.
Evidence & Backlog
CSI Effect
The idea that portrayals of forensic science in popular media (TV and true-
crime
documentaries) change public perceptions and behaviors, most often
affecting juror expectations about scientific evidence in criminal trials. CSI
Effect