Forensic Science
Unit II Objectives
Chapter 5-Pollen and Spore Evidence. Complete the objectives and complete questions
11, 15, and 17 from chapter 5.
 Define forensic palynology

Describe the structure and variations of pollen grains.

Distinguish between seedless, gymnosperms and angiosperms

Describe the function of pollen grains.

Discuss the proper collection of pollen and spores.
a. What can be used to collect the pollen or spores?
b. How should the spore or pollen be packaged?
c. List what information should appear on the evidence chain of command form

Summarize how pollen and spore evidence is analyzed and evaluated.
Chapter 12-Soil Examination. Complete the objectives and answer questions 7, 8, 9, and
11 from chapter 12
 Discuss how soil is formed

Describe variation in sand crystals based on:
a. grain size
b. shape
c. mineral content

Describe the identifying features of the minerals commonly found in sand:
a. Quartz
b. Feldspar
c. Mica
d. Magnetite
e. Describe organic components of sand

Describe how to perform a soil or sand analysis including a microscopic and macroscopic
exam as well as some chemical testing to identify a type of sand or soil.
Chapter 14- Glass Evidence. Complete the objectives and answer questions 8, 11, 12, 13,
17a-c, 19a-c, 20
 List some of the characteristics of glass.

Given a diagram of a bullet striking glass, identify where the glass is compressed and
where the glass is under tension

Compare the number of concentric rings formed from an object striking glass at a high
rate of speed object, such as a bullet, to a low rate of speed object, such as a rock.

Analyze glass fracture patterns to determine the sequence of the broken glass.

Analyze the glass fracture pattern to determine the path of a bullet traveled.

Indicate the direction the light bends in reference to the normal line as it moves
a. From a less dense medium to a more dense medium
b. From a more dense medium to a less dense medium
Chapter 15: Casts and Impressions. Complete the objectives.
 Discuss the importance of impressions found at a crime scene to forensics.
 Distinguish between latent, patent, and plastic impressions

Explain how various types of impressions can be used as trace evidence.

Describe information that can be learned about a specific individual through an analysis
of their shoe impression
Describe the type of information that can be learned about a person’ gait if given a series
of footprints.
Describe what type of information about a crime scene can be gained by analyzing
footprints found at the crime scene.
Explain how some latent shoe prints might be classified as individual evidence.




Discuss the importance of first photographing a foot or tire print before trying to make a
latent print.

Describe the following physical features of tires that help to identify a particular type of
tire.
a. Ridges
b. Grooves
c. Measurements of ridges and grooves
d. Number of ridges and grooves.
e. Angle of ridges and grooves

Describe the following wear patterns on tires that would help to identify a specific car.
a. Under inflated tires
b. Unbalanced tires
c. Worn tires
d. Damaged tire

Describe at least four factors that would contribute to the individuality of bite mark
evidence

Describe how to take a bite impression from a suspect.

Describe how to prepare transparency overlays of the bite impression.

Match a bite mark found at a crime scene with the bite impression of a suspect.