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Forensic Analysis Techniques Flashcards

7 cards from real CSI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. What is the significance of 'cast-off' bloodstain patterns at a crime scene?

    Answer: They indicate a bloody weapon was swung through the air

    Cast-off patterns are created when a blood-covered weapon is swung, flinging blood onto surrounding surfaces in an arc.

  2. In digital forensics, what is 'file carving'?

    Answer: Recovering files based on header and footer signatures without file system metadata

    File carving reconstructs files from raw disk data by identifying known file headers and footers, even when file system data is deleted or corrupt.

  3. Which chemical test is used as a presumptive test for the presence of blood?

    Answer: Kastle-Meyer (phenolphthalein) test

    The Kastle-Meyer test uses phenolphthalein as an indicator; hemoglobin catalyzes the oxidation of phenolphthalein to produce a pink color.

  4. What is 'entomotoxicology' in forensic science?

    Answer: Study of drugs and toxins in insects found on remains to determine intoxication at death

    Entomotoxicology analyzes drugs and toxins within insects feeding on decomposing remains, as insects can retain substances from the body they consumed.

  5. In forensic anthropology, what does 'age-at-death estimation' from skeletal remains primarily examine?

    Answer: Bone density, epiphyseal fusion, and wear patterns on joints and teeth

    Age estimation examines developmental markers in younger individuals (epiphyseal fusion) and degenerative changes (bone density, joint wear) in adults.

  6. What does 'secondary transfer' of trace evidence mean?

    Answer: Evidence moves from a secondary surface to a tertiary surface without direct contact with the original source

    Secondary transfer occurs when trace evidence moves from Person A to Person B, then from Person B to Person C, creating indirect links.

  7. Which analytical technique produces a 'fingerprint' spectrum unique to molecular compounds used to identify unknown substances?

    Answer: Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)

    FTIR measures how a compound absorbs infrared light across wavelengths, producing a unique absorption spectrum that identifies molecular structure.