Forensic Science
Review Questions
1. How are fire scenes different than regular crime scenes for investigators? The individual responsible for the crime will not be at the crime site when the crime is discovered. Forensic scientists have to rely on the evidence at the scene to piece together who might have committed the crime. Also fires and explosion can cause a great deal of damage to the crime scene. The evidence traditionally found at other crime scenes is likely to be destroyed or damaged at these crime scenes, making it necessary for forensic scientists to focus on other types of evidence in their investigation.
2. What is the blast effect? The blast effect or the outward rush of gases from the bomb’s site of origin can be as high as 7,000 miles per hour. This essentially creates a gale that can cause further destruction to the structures around the blast.
3. What are the two types of high explosives? Two types of high explosives are dynamite and TNT.
4. What is a substrate control? Why is it done? A substrate control is an uncontaminated sample. This allows forensic scientists to compare the two samples to better observe whether a flammable liquid is present.
5. How is the evidence from a fire scene collected? What should be avoided? Any materials collected from a fire scene are placed in air-tight containers to prevent the further evaporation of any flammable liquid evidence. Depending on the size of the evidence, glass jars with lids and new, clean paint cans with airtight lids may be used to store evidence. Plastic bags are generally avoided as the material can interact with any flammable liquid left and produce dangerous gases.
Critical Thinking Questions
1. What do you think would be the most challenging part of investigating a fire or explosion crime scene? Why? I think the most challenging part of investigating a fire or explosion crime scene would be is that traces of accelerants and explosive materials can degrade quickly so forensic scientists have to act
1. How are fire scenes different than regular crime scenes for investigators? The individual responsible for the crime will not be at the crime site when the crime is discovered. Forensic scientists have to rely on the evidence at the scene to piece together who might have committed the crime. Also fires and explosion can cause a great deal of damage to the crime scene. The evidence traditionally found at other crime scenes is likely to be destroyed or damaged at these crime scenes, making it necessary for forensic scientists to focus on other types of evidence in their investigation.
2. What is the blast effect? The blast effect or the outward rush of gases from the bomb’s site of origin can be as high as 7,000 miles per hour. This essentially creates a gale that can cause further destruction to the structures around the blast.
3. What are the two types of high explosives? Two types of high explosives are dynamite and TNT.
4. What is a substrate control? Why is it done? A substrate control is an uncontaminated sample. This allows forensic scientists to compare the two samples to better observe whether a flammable liquid is present.
5. How is the evidence from a fire scene collected? What should be avoided? Any materials collected from a fire scene are placed in air-tight containers to prevent the further evaporation of any flammable liquid evidence. Depending on the size of the evidence, glass jars with lids and new, clean paint cans with airtight lids may be used to store evidence. Plastic bags are generally avoided as the material can interact with any flammable liquid left and produce dangerous gases.
Critical Thinking Questions
1. What do you think would be the most challenging part of investigating a fire or explosion crime scene? Why? I think the most challenging part of investigating a fire or explosion crime scene would be is that traces of accelerants and explosive materials can degrade quickly so forensic scientists have to act