Name______________
1st Midterm Review Sheet
Observations vs. Inferences
1. What is an observation?
Information gathered through your five senses.
2. What is an inference?
A statement or prediction based upon an observation.
Crime Scene Processing
3. What two important components are necessary to prove by the investigator(s)
when evaluating a crime scene?
1. That a crime occurred
2. That the person accused of the crime is responsible for the crime.
4. What are the top reasons for committing a crime?
Money, revenge, intense emotion
5. Who does the crime scene team involve?
SOCO, Investigators, Medical Examiner, Photographer, Technicians,
Medics
6. List the four types of crime scene investigation techniques.
7. The First Officer on the Scene has what duties?
Assess & assist at the crime scene, Detain witnesses, Arrest the
perp, Protect the crime scene, Take notes. (ADAPT)
8. What are the four features of crime scene documentation?
Notes, Photography, Sketches/Diagrams, Videography
9. What is the chain of custody?
The written record of all people who have had possession of an item
of evidence.
10. What is the difference between the medical examiner and a coroner?
M.E. has a medical degree. The coroner is elected with no training.
11. List the responsibilities of the medical examiner.
Identify deceased, time/date/mechanism/cause/manner of death,
notify next of kin.
12. What is the cardinal rule for the investigating officer?
Eyes open, mouth shut, hands in pockets.
13. What does the acronym “SOCO” stand for?
Scene of Crime Officer
Physical Evidence
14. What are the two general classifications of physical evidence?
Individual & Class
15. What is the main purpose of Identifiable (class) Evidence?
To narrow the field of suspects, focus the investigation
16. What happens to body temperature upon death (general)?
17. What is the role of the pathologist?
18. What is Hypostasis?
Fingerprinting
19. What are the three main categories of fingerprints?
Loop, Whorl, Arch
20. Which of the main categories accounts for the most common types of
fingerprint?
Loop
21. What can leave prints other than your fingers?
Foot, shoes, teeth, palm, etc
22. List 10 ridge characteristics other than deltas and be able to identify them.
Core, bifurcation, trifurcation, double bifurcation, eye, spur, ridge ending,
bridge, etc
23. What are the subcategories of a loop? Whorl? Arch?
Ulnar/radial or right/left slant, Plain whorl, Central Pocket, Double,
Accidental, Plain Arch, Tented Arch
24. What are the three TYPES of prints? Define each… (article)
Plastic – molded, like in wax
Visible – a transfer print of visible material, blood/oil/etc
Latent – a transfer print of invisible oils and water
25. How is a fingerprint formed? What is the main component of a fingerprint?
Oil secretions are transferred to a surface. Water is the main
componennt
26. Discuss superglue fuming…How? When do you use it?
Superglue fuming is used on non-porous surfaces and only as a last
resort.
27. Discuss the chemical ninhydrin and its relevance to fingerprinting.
Ninhydrin is used on porous surfaces. It yields a pink print. Can
possibly damage a print.
28. When should powders be used to visualize latent prints and when shouldn’t
they be used?
Powders are used on non-porous surfaces only.
29. State the difference between a porous and non-porous surface.
Porous surfaces have small holes in them
30. What does AFIS stand for?
Automated Fingerprint Identification System
31. Describe the correct method in fingerprinting an individual.
Roll prints from outside to inside. Ink nail to nail and tip to crease.
32. Discuss how the FBI fingerprint classification numbering system works.
Gives a numerical value to each finger that has a whorl print on it.
33. Discuss the process of iodine fuming. Why is this the preferred chemical
method of visualizing prints.
Iodine crystals are placed in an enclosure with the sample print.
The sublimation of the iodine into fumes temporarily binds to the print. This is not
permanent.
34. Why is fingerprinting considered the universal method of classification.
Fingerprints are an individual characteristics and it has common
features for all humans.
35. Explain why a fingerprint is an INDIVIDUAL characteristic and not a CLASS
characteristic.
No single fingerprint has the same category, subcategory, and
minutiae.
36. What age to fingerprints first form? How do they change over the course of
an individual’s lifetime?
Before birth. They don’t change naturally but can be forcibly
changed.
37. Discuss the process of lifting a print using powder.
Gentle twisting motion to capture powder and then gently brush
fibers above the print. Blow or tap off excess powder. Apply adhesive strip (tape)
in a way that minimizes air bubbles.
38. Discuss some sources of error when lifting latent prints using powder.
Too much powder is used. Air bubbles. Smudging print.
39. What are Minutiae?
Ridge characteristics.
40. What case lead to fingerprinting being considered the most effective method
of classification?