PHA6936 Final Exam – University of Florida | 2026/2027
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
College of Pharmacy – Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Forensic Science Program
PHA6936 – SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
FINAL EXAMINATION
Comprehensive Preparation Questions & Verified Correct Answers
200+ Multiple-Choice, True/False, and Case-Based Questions
Latest 2026/2027 Academic Update
Graded A+ | 100% Verified Answers with Detailed Rationales
Page 1
, PHA6936 Final Exam – University of Florida | 2026/2027
Section Topic Page
Section 1 Foundational Forensic 3
Science Principles
Section 2 Crime Scene Processing & 7
Documentation
Section 3 Blood Spatter Analysis 11
Section 4 Fingerprint Science 14
Section 5 Document Examination 18
Section 6 Firearms & Toolmarks 20
Section 7 Forensic Biology & Serology 24
Section 8 Fire & Arson Investigation 28
Section 9 Controlled Substances 30
Section 10 Post-Mortem Changes 33
(Thanatology)
Section 11 Analytical Instrumentation – 35
FTIR Spectroscopy
Section 12 Analytical Instrumentation – 38
Raman Spectroscopy
Section 13 Analytical Instrumentation – 40
Gas Chromatography
Section 14 Analytical Instrumentation – 43
Mass Spectrometry
Section 15 Mass Analyzers 46
Section 16 HPLC Principles 49
Section 17 Quality Assurance & 51
Laboratory Standards
Section 18 Drug Stability & 53
Physicochemical Factors
Section 19 Expert Testimony & Report 56
Writing
Page 2
, PHA6936 Final Exam – University of Florida | 2026/2027
Section 1: Foundational Forensic Science Principles
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1. What is the basic tenet of forensic science that states 'every contact leaves a
trace'?
A. Daubert Standard
B. Locard's Exchange Principle
C. Frye Rule
D. Chain of Custody Principle
Rationale: Locard's Exchange Principle, formulated by Dr. Edmond Locard, is the foundational
tenet of forensic science. It states that whenever two objects come into contact, there is a cross-
transfer of physical material between them. This principle underpins all forensic evidence
collection and analysis, as it provides the scientific basis for linking suspects, victims, and crime
scenes through physical evidence transfer.
2. Which of the following is NOT one of the two classifications of evidence in
forensic science?
A. Associative evidence
B. Inceptive evidence
C. Circumstantial evidence
D. Demonstrative evidence
Rationale: The two primary classifications of evidence in forensic science are associative
evidence (which links people, places, and objects together) and inceptive evidence (which
addresses whether an offense has actually occurred). Circumstantial evidence and demonstrative
evidence are legal classifications, not forensic science evidence classifications.
3. The Evidence Linkage Principle involves three points. Which of the following
correctly identifies these three points?
A. Prosecutor, Defense Attorney, Judge
B. Victim, Suspect, Scene
C. Crime Scene, Laboratory, Courtroom
D. Witness, Victim, First Responder
Rationale: The Evidence Linkage Principle identifies three critical points: Victim, Suspect, and
Scene. The goal of forensic science is to establish linkages between these three points through
Page 3
, PHA6936 Final Exam – University of Florida | 2026/2027
physical evidence analysis. When evidence can connect all three points, the strongest investigative
conclusions can be drawn.
4. Who was the first to develop a personal identification system using body
measurements in the 19th century?
A. Francis Galton
B. William Herschel
C. Alphonse Bertillon
D. Henry Faulds
Rationale: Alphonse Bertillon developed the first systematic personal identification method in
the late 19th century, known as Bertillonage or anthropometry. This system used 11 precise body
measurements including head length, width, and height, along with photographs and descriptions
of distinguishing marks. Although eventually replaced by fingerprinting, it represented a major
advancement in criminal identification.
5. William Herschel's original initiative in 1877 is credited with establishing which
forensic science practice?
A. Blood spatter analysis
B. Ballistic fingerprinting
C. Fingerprinting for identification
D. DNA profiling
Rationale: William Herschel, a British colonial administrator in India, initiated the practice of
using fingerprints for personal identification in 1877. He required natives to sign contracts with
handprints, recognizing the uniqueness and permanence of fingerprint patterns. This work laid
the groundwork for the later development of systematic fingerprint classification systems by
Henry and Galton.
6. Contextual bias refers to environmental influences and past experiences that
sway decision-making in forensic analysis.
True
False
Rationale: Contextual bias occurs when a forensic examiner's judgment is influenced by
irrelevant contextual information, such as knowledge of a suspect's identity or other case details.
Page 4
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
College of Pharmacy – Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Forensic Science Program
PHA6936 – SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
FINAL EXAMINATION
Comprehensive Preparation Questions & Verified Correct Answers
200+ Multiple-Choice, True/False, and Case-Based Questions
Latest 2026/2027 Academic Update
Graded A+ | 100% Verified Answers with Detailed Rationales
Page 1
, PHA6936 Final Exam – University of Florida | 2026/2027
Section Topic Page
Section 1 Foundational Forensic 3
Science Principles
Section 2 Crime Scene Processing & 7
Documentation
Section 3 Blood Spatter Analysis 11
Section 4 Fingerprint Science 14
Section 5 Document Examination 18
Section 6 Firearms & Toolmarks 20
Section 7 Forensic Biology & Serology 24
Section 8 Fire & Arson Investigation 28
Section 9 Controlled Substances 30
Section 10 Post-Mortem Changes 33
(Thanatology)
Section 11 Analytical Instrumentation – 35
FTIR Spectroscopy
Section 12 Analytical Instrumentation – 38
Raman Spectroscopy
Section 13 Analytical Instrumentation – 40
Gas Chromatography
Section 14 Analytical Instrumentation – 43
Mass Spectrometry
Section 15 Mass Analyzers 46
Section 16 HPLC Principles 49
Section 17 Quality Assurance & 51
Laboratory Standards
Section 18 Drug Stability & 53
Physicochemical Factors
Section 19 Expert Testimony & Report 56
Writing
Page 2
, PHA6936 Final Exam – University of Florida | 2026/2027
Section 1: Foundational Forensic Science Principles
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1. What is the basic tenet of forensic science that states 'every contact leaves a
trace'?
A. Daubert Standard
B. Locard's Exchange Principle
C. Frye Rule
D. Chain of Custody Principle
Rationale: Locard's Exchange Principle, formulated by Dr. Edmond Locard, is the foundational
tenet of forensic science. It states that whenever two objects come into contact, there is a cross-
transfer of physical material between them. This principle underpins all forensic evidence
collection and analysis, as it provides the scientific basis for linking suspects, victims, and crime
scenes through physical evidence transfer.
2. Which of the following is NOT one of the two classifications of evidence in
forensic science?
A. Associative evidence
B. Inceptive evidence
C. Circumstantial evidence
D. Demonstrative evidence
Rationale: The two primary classifications of evidence in forensic science are associative
evidence (which links people, places, and objects together) and inceptive evidence (which
addresses whether an offense has actually occurred). Circumstantial evidence and demonstrative
evidence are legal classifications, not forensic science evidence classifications.
3. The Evidence Linkage Principle involves three points. Which of the following
correctly identifies these three points?
A. Prosecutor, Defense Attorney, Judge
B. Victim, Suspect, Scene
C. Crime Scene, Laboratory, Courtroom
D. Witness, Victim, First Responder
Rationale: The Evidence Linkage Principle identifies three critical points: Victim, Suspect, and
Scene. The goal of forensic science is to establish linkages between these three points through
Page 3
, PHA6936 Final Exam – University of Florida | 2026/2027
physical evidence analysis. When evidence can connect all three points, the strongest investigative
conclusions can be drawn.
4. Who was the first to develop a personal identification system using body
measurements in the 19th century?
A. Francis Galton
B. William Herschel
C. Alphonse Bertillon
D. Henry Faulds
Rationale: Alphonse Bertillon developed the first systematic personal identification method in
the late 19th century, known as Bertillonage or anthropometry. This system used 11 precise body
measurements including head length, width, and height, along with photographs and descriptions
of distinguishing marks. Although eventually replaced by fingerprinting, it represented a major
advancement in criminal identification.
5. William Herschel's original initiative in 1877 is credited with establishing which
forensic science practice?
A. Blood spatter analysis
B. Ballistic fingerprinting
C. Fingerprinting for identification
D. DNA profiling
Rationale: William Herschel, a British colonial administrator in India, initiated the practice of
using fingerprints for personal identification in 1877. He required natives to sign contracts with
handprints, recognizing the uniqueness and permanence of fingerprint patterns. This work laid
the groundwork for the later development of systematic fingerprint classification systems by
Henry and Galton.
6. Contextual bias refers to environmental influences and past experiences that
sway decision-making in forensic analysis.
True
False
Rationale: Contextual bias occurs when a forensic examiner's judgment is influenced by
irrelevant contextual information, such as knowledge of a suspect's identity or other case details.
Page 4
