CRJ 320 WEEK 1 Assignment II

CRJ 320 WEEK 1 Assignment II
Directions Please answer only 20 of any of the following questions  Each of your responses should be at least 3 to 5 sentences in length.

Chapter 1 Questions:

1.	How does the textbook define forensic science?

2.	Why is Mathieu Orfila considered “the father of forensic toxicology?”

3.	What was Francis Galton- principal contribution to forensic science?

4.	How did Calvin Goddard advance the science of firearms examination?

5.	What is Locard- exchange principle?

6.	What major advance in forensic science did the state of California undertake in 1972?

7.	How does the British system of forensic laboratories differ from that of the United States?

8.	How has the emergence of the “fee-for-service” system affected the practice of forensic science in Great Britain?

9.	List three reasons for the unparalleled growth of crime laboratories in the United States since the 1960s.

10.	Describe how the structure of the U.S. federal government has affected the organization of crime labs in the United States.

11.	List three main reasons for the wide variation in total services offered by crime labs in different communities.

12.	Describe the basic duties of the physical science unit in a crime lab and give three examples of the type of work performed by a physical science unit.

13.	In addition to the physical science unit, what four units typically are found in full service crime labs? List at least one function performed by each of these units.

14.	List two optional units found in most crime labs and give at least one example of the type of work done by each.

15.	List the main functions of the forensic scientist.

16.	What important principle was established in the case of Frye v. United States?

17.	How did the court- ruling in the case of Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. affect the admissibility of scientific evidence in federal courts?

18.	How does the testimony of an expert witness differ from the testimony of a lay witness?

19.	List two ways in which a forensic odontologist can assist in criminal investigations.

Chapter 2 Questions:

1.	How does the textbook define physical evidence?

2.	What is the first critical step in crime-scene investigation?  Why is this step so important?

3.	List the three methods of crime-scene recording.

4.	What is the most important prerequisite for photographing a crime scene?  Why is this so critical?

5.	What is a rough sketch and what information must it accurately reflect?

6.	What information must be included in any notes taken at the crime scene?

7.	Besides the crime scene itself, what locations must investigators search?

8.	What items from deceased victims must be collected and sent to a forensic laboratory?

9.	What is the main objective in collecting and packaging physical evidence?

10.	What is the best way to maintain the integrity of evidence that is collected and submitted to the crime laboratory?

11.	Why is it important to package items of physical evidence in separate containers?

12.	Why should ordinary mailing envelopes not be used for packaging physical evidence?

13.	Describe a druggist fold and explain why it is a superior way to package small amounts of trace evidence.

14.	Why should bloodstained evidence not be stored in airtight containers? What is the best way to store such evidence?

15.	Define chain of custody and explain why maintaining a proper chain of custody is important. What are the possible consequences of failing to maintain a proper chain of custody?

16.	What is a standard/reference sample and why is it important to the criminalist?

17.	What is a substrate control and why is it important?

18.	Why is it important to include a brief description of the case history on an evidence submission form?

19.	What two diseases have sensitized the law enforcement community to the potential health hazards that can exist at crime scenes? Name three basic types of protective clothing that investigators use to guard against contamination by infectious materials at a crime scene.

20.	List four situations in which a warrantless search may be justified.