Test Bank For
Introduction to Forensic Science The Science of Criminalistics, 1E James T. Spencer
Chapters 1-19
Table of Contents
Preface and acknowledgements
I. Introduction
Chapter 1: Introduction to Forensic Science: Introduction, Historic Development, and Legal
Roles of Forensic Science
Chapter 2: Crime Scene Investigations and the 4th Amendment
Chapter 3: Science, Pseudoscience and the Law
II. Biological Evidence
Chapter 4: Methods for Examining Biological Evidence
Chapter 5: Forensic DNA
Chapter 6: Forensic Serology
Chapter 7: Anatomical Evidence: The Outside Story
Chapter 8: Forensic Medicine: The Inside Story
Chapter 9: Forensic Anthropology
Chapter 10: Forensic Ecology
III. Chemical Evidence
Chapter 11: Overview of Chemical Evidence
Chapter 12: Forensic Spectroscopy
Chapter 13: Forensic Toxicology
Chapter 14: Forensic Fire and Explosives
IV. Physical Properties in Evidence
Chapter 15: Physical Properties: Mineralogical, Soil, Glass, and Paint Analysis
Chapter 16: Firearms, Ballistics, and Impression Evidence
Chapter 17: Forensic Document Analysis, Photographic and Video Analysis, and Voice
Identification and Linguistics
Chapter 18: Forensic Engineering and Computer Science
V. Behavioral Forensic Evidence
Chapter 19: Behavioral Forensic Sciences
Sources and Credits
Appendices
Index
, Equations and Tables
Constants:
c = 3.00 x 108 m/sec
h = 6.63 x 10-34 Js
mp = 1.67 x 10-24 g (mass of proton)
Rydberg Constant (RH) = 2.18 x 10-18 J
Avogadro‟s Number (Na): 6.022 x 1023
Equations:
c = lv
KE= ½ mv2
Momentum (p = mv)
Work (W = Fd)
Force (F = m a)
⌈( ) ( )⌉
Engineering Equations:
o Velocity at the beginning of a skid: v = (2 g f d)½, where g is the gravitational
constant, f is the frictional coefficient, and d is the distance;
o Velocity at the beginning of a skid with an impact/crush: v = [2 g d f + 2
(K/m) x]½, where K is the measured crush coefficient for the car, x is the
crush depth measured from the crashed car, and m is the mass of the car;
, o Minimum speed skid formula: S1 = √ , where S1 is the initial
speed at the start of the skid (in mph), d1 is the distance of the skid before
stopping, and f is the frictional coefficient;
o Initial speed when striking a vehicle at the start of the skid: Sc =
√[ ] [ ], where Sc is the initial speed at the start
of the skid (in mph), d1 is the distance of the skid before impact, f is the
frictional coefficient, d2 is the depth of the crush in ft, and cf is the crush
factor in lb./ft.
CONFIDENTIAL
PLEASE DO NOT SHARE ANY OF THESE WITH STUDENTS!
Introduction to Forensic Science: The Science of Criminalistics
by James T. Spencer, Ph.D., Syracuse University FNSSI
Chapter One Questions
1. Explain the importance of the Joiner (1995) case as it pertain to forensic testimony.
a. It required that experts limit their opinions to straightforward extensions of the
data.
b. It set the trial judge as the “gatekeeper” for what scientific testimony is
admissible.
c. It established the minimum standards for the admissibility of scientific
evidence.
d. It required analysts to “face” defendents in court when presenting scientific
analyses.
e. It required courts to stand by earlier decisions of higher courts.
Correct Answer Reply: A. Joiner: There must be a significant connection
between the science/facts and the testimony of an expert in the field.
2. How did the Frye decision of 1923 impact the admissibility of forensic evidence?
a. It required that experts limit their opinions to straightforward extensions of the
data.
b. It set the trial judge as the “gatekeeper” for what scientific testimony is
admissible.
c. It established the minimum standards for the admissibility of scientific
evidence.
d. It required analysts to “face” defendents in court when presenting scientific
analyses.
e. It required courts to stand by earlier decisions of higher courts.
Correct Answer Reply: C. Established the scientific discipline as the gatekeeper
for scientific evidence and established minimum standards for the admissibility of
scientific evidence into courtroom proceedings.
, 3. How does basic research differ from applied research?
a. Basic research uses physical principles discovered through scientific research to
obtain a desired goal.
b. Basic research focuses upon the simpler aspects of a field while applied
research studies more complex problems.
c. Basic research deals primarily withjust the fundamental understanding of
phenomena.
d. Basic research seeks to understand the physical world for its own sake while
applied research usually has an immediate problem to solve.
e. It required courts to stand by earlier decisions of higher courts.
Correct Answer Reply: D. “The realm of science can be divided into pure
science, or research, and applied science. Basic research seeks to understand the
physical world for its own sake; in applied science we seek to use the physical
principles discovered to obtain a desired goal.” [K. Inman and N. Rudin.
Principles and Practice of Criminalistics: The Profession of Forensic Science,
CRC Press, 2001] Chemistry, biology and physics are generally basic scientific
fields while disciplines such as medicine, engineering, and forensic science are
applied sciences.
4. In his famous book of 1248, “Washing Away of Wrongs” or “Injustices Rectified”, the
Chinese magistrate named Sung T‟ze described one particularly famous case to
determine the person who committed homicide in a rice field using a harvesting knife.
The field that he primarily employed to solve the case was:
a. Forensic blood spatter.
b. Forensic entomology.
c. Forensic fingerprint analysis.
d. Forensic medicine.
e. Forensic ballistics.
Correct Answer Reply: B. In his text, Sung T‟ze reports the first written use of
forensic entomology to solve a murder case where a worker in the rice fields had
been murdered by means of a harvest scythe. Through physical inspection, such
as looking for blood and identifying marks, no evidence could be found linking
any possible assailants with the crime. To solve the case, however, T‟ze
ingeniously had all the suspects line up before him in the hot afternoon sun while
holding their scythes. Only one of the scythes attracted a swarm of blowflies to
the blade – the one with invisible, minute traces of blood remaining on the
blade. The owner later confessed to the crime. This use of forensic entomology
to solve a case brought about by an understanding of how the natural world
works, a basic tenant of forensic science.
5. Locard‟s Principle says that:
a. The trial judge will serve as the gatekeeper regarding the admissibility of
evidence in court.
b. While two objects may be indistinguishable, no two objects are ever identical.
Introduction to Forensic Science The Science of Criminalistics, 1E James T. Spencer
Chapters 1-19
Table of Contents
Preface and acknowledgements
I. Introduction
Chapter 1: Introduction to Forensic Science: Introduction, Historic Development, and Legal
Roles of Forensic Science
Chapter 2: Crime Scene Investigations and the 4th Amendment
Chapter 3: Science, Pseudoscience and the Law
II. Biological Evidence
Chapter 4: Methods for Examining Biological Evidence
Chapter 5: Forensic DNA
Chapter 6: Forensic Serology
Chapter 7: Anatomical Evidence: The Outside Story
Chapter 8: Forensic Medicine: The Inside Story
Chapter 9: Forensic Anthropology
Chapter 10: Forensic Ecology
III. Chemical Evidence
Chapter 11: Overview of Chemical Evidence
Chapter 12: Forensic Spectroscopy
Chapter 13: Forensic Toxicology
Chapter 14: Forensic Fire and Explosives
IV. Physical Properties in Evidence
Chapter 15: Physical Properties: Mineralogical, Soil, Glass, and Paint Analysis
Chapter 16: Firearms, Ballistics, and Impression Evidence
Chapter 17: Forensic Document Analysis, Photographic and Video Analysis, and Voice
Identification and Linguistics
Chapter 18: Forensic Engineering and Computer Science
V. Behavioral Forensic Evidence
Chapter 19: Behavioral Forensic Sciences
Sources and Credits
Appendices
Index
, Equations and Tables
Constants:
c = 3.00 x 108 m/sec
h = 6.63 x 10-34 Js
mp = 1.67 x 10-24 g (mass of proton)
Rydberg Constant (RH) = 2.18 x 10-18 J
Avogadro‟s Number (Na): 6.022 x 1023
Equations:
c = lv
KE= ½ mv2
Momentum (p = mv)
Work (W = Fd)
Force (F = m a)
⌈( ) ( )⌉
Engineering Equations:
o Velocity at the beginning of a skid: v = (2 g f d)½, where g is the gravitational
constant, f is the frictional coefficient, and d is the distance;
o Velocity at the beginning of a skid with an impact/crush: v = [2 g d f + 2
(K/m) x]½, where K is the measured crush coefficient for the car, x is the
crush depth measured from the crashed car, and m is the mass of the car;
, o Minimum speed skid formula: S1 = √ , where S1 is the initial
speed at the start of the skid (in mph), d1 is the distance of the skid before
stopping, and f is the frictional coefficient;
o Initial speed when striking a vehicle at the start of the skid: Sc =
√[ ] [ ], where Sc is the initial speed at the start
of the skid (in mph), d1 is the distance of the skid before impact, f is the
frictional coefficient, d2 is the depth of the crush in ft, and cf is the crush
factor in lb./ft.
CONFIDENTIAL
PLEASE DO NOT SHARE ANY OF THESE WITH STUDENTS!
Introduction to Forensic Science: The Science of Criminalistics
by James T. Spencer, Ph.D., Syracuse University FNSSI
Chapter One Questions
1. Explain the importance of the Joiner (1995) case as it pertain to forensic testimony.
a. It required that experts limit their opinions to straightforward extensions of the
data.
b. It set the trial judge as the “gatekeeper” for what scientific testimony is
admissible.
c. It established the minimum standards for the admissibility of scientific
evidence.
d. It required analysts to “face” defendents in court when presenting scientific
analyses.
e. It required courts to stand by earlier decisions of higher courts.
Correct Answer Reply: A. Joiner: There must be a significant connection
between the science/facts and the testimony of an expert in the field.
2. How did the Frye decision of 1923 impact the admissibility of forensic evidence?
a. It required that experts limit their opinions to straightforward extensions of the
data.
b. It set the trial judge as the “gatekeeper” for what scientific testimony is
admissible.
c. It established the minimum standards for the admissibility of scientific
evidence.
d. It required analysts to “face” defendents in court when presenting scientific
analyses.
e. It required courts to stand by earlier decisions of higher courts.
Correct Answer Reply: C. Established the scientific discipline as the gatekeeper
for scientific evidence and established minimum standards for the admissibility of
scientific evidence into courtroom proceedings.
, 3. How does basic research differ from applied research?
a. Basic research uses physical principles discovered through scientific research to
obtain a desired goal.
b. Basic research focuses upon the simpler aspects of a field while applied
research studies more complex problems.
c. Basic research deals primarily withjust the fundamental understanding of
phenomena.
d. Basic research seeks to understand the physical world for its own sake while
applied research usually has an immediate problem to solve.
e. It required courts to stand by earlier decisions of higher courts.
Correct Answer Reply: D. “The realm of science can be divided into pure
science, or research, and applied science. Basic research seeks to understand the
physical world for its own sake; in applied science we seek to use the physical
principles discovered to obtain a desired goal.” [K. Inman and N. Rudin.
Principles and Practice of Criminalistics: The Profession of Forensic Science,
CRC Press, 2001] Chemistry, biology and physics are generally basic scientific
fields while disciplines such as medicine, engineering, and forensic science are
applied sciences.
4. In his famous book of 1248, “Washing Away of Wrongs” or “Injustices Rectified”, the
Chinese magistrate named Sung T‟ze described one particularly famous case to
determine the person who committed homicide in a rice field using a harvesting knife.
The field that he primarily employed to solve the case was:
a. Forensic blood spatter.
b. Forensic entomology.
c. Forensic fingerprint analysis.
d. Forensic medicine.
e. Forensic ballistics.
Correct Answer Reply: B. In his text, Sung T‟ze reports the first written use of
forensic entomology to solve a murder case where a worker in the rice fields had
been murdered by means of a harvest scythe. Through physical inspection, such
as looking for blood and identifying marks, no evidence could be found linking
any possible assailants with the crime. To solve the case, however, T‟ze
ingeniously had all the suspects line up before him in the hot afternoon sun while
holding their scythes. Only one of the scythes attracted a swarm of blowflies to
the blade – the one with invisible, minute traces of blood remaining on the
blade. The owner later confessed to the crime. This use of forensic entomology
to solve a case brought about by an understanding of how the natural world
works, a basic tenant of forensic science.
5. Locard‟s Principle says that:
a. The trial judge will serve as the gatekeeper regarding the admissibility of
evidence in court.
b. While two objects may be indistinguishable, no two objects are ever identical.
