Forensic Science & Analysis Flashcards

During a forensic structural inspection following a building collapse, which factor is most critical to establish when determining whether the failure was catastrophic or progressive?

Answer: The sequence and location of initial failure points

Identifying the sequence and initial location of structural failure is essential to distinguish progressive collapse (failure propagating from one point) from simultaneous catastrophic failure.

In forensic toxicology, what does the term 'postmortem redistribution' refer to?

Answer: Changes in drug concentration in tissues that occur after death

Postmortem redistribution describes how drug concentrations in blood and tissues change after death, complicating interpretation of toxicology results.

A forensic inspector notices 'spalling' on concrete columns after a fire. What does spalling indicate about the fire's characteristics?

Answer: The fire reached sufficient temperatures to cause rapid steam expansion within the concrete

Spalling occurs when intense heat causes moisture within concrete to turn to steam rapidly, creating explosive pressure that fractures the surface.

Which type of fingerprint is deposited when a finger with a substance (grease, blood) touches a surface?

Answer: Patent fingerprint

Patent (or visible) fingerprints are left by fingers coated in a contrasting substance like blood, grease, or paint, making them directly visible to the naked eye.

In forensic ballistics, what term describes the unique marks left on a bullet by the rifling of a specific firearm barrel?

Answer: Striations

Striations are microscopic scratch marks imparted to a bullet by the lands and grooves of a specific barrel's rifling, unique to that firearm.

A CPI inspector is examining a flood-damaged structure and suspects the water damage was pre-existing and not from the reported event. Which forensic indicator best supports pre-existing damage?

Answer: Tide marks or staining above the reported flood level with mold growth behind finished surfaces

Pre-existing water damage is revealed by staining or tide marks above the reported flood level and established mold behind finished surfaces, which requires time to develop.

When performing a forensic electrical analysis of a fire scene, which condition is most consistent with an electrical fault as the fire's origin?

Answer: Beading or resolidified copper globules on wiring within the area of fire origin

Copper beading (resolidified molten copper globules) on wiring at the origin point indicates the wire reached fault temperatures before the surrounding fire could cause the same effect.