4.05 Review and Critical Thinking Questions
Review Questions
1. What are the three types of fingerprints found in the human population? How often does each occur?
1. Loop Fingerprints, 60-60%
2. Whorl Fingerprints, 30-35%
3. Arch Fingerprints, 5%
2. What is a medulla? What do forensic scientists use this for?
The medulla is the set of cells that run through hair. Forensic scientists use the medulla to look at the shape and color of pigment and also to see if the hair has been bleached or dyed.
3. What is a precipitin test? What is it used for?
The precipitin test is used to distinguish between human and animal blood.
4. What makes fingerprints individual? How do scientists match a fingerprint to a specific person?
The ridge characteristics such as ending and closures are what make fingerprints individual. Since everyone has their own unique fingerprint scientist take a known fingerprint and an unknown and look for point-to-point comparisons to see if they match up.
5. How are fingerprints discovered at crime scenes?
Some fingerprints are visible; if not a device called the Reflected Ultraviolet Imaging System aims UV light at areas where fingerprints might be. If there is a fingerprint it will reflect back under the UV light or finger print power can be dusted over areas.
Critical Thinking Questions
1. Of the three types of physical evidence discussed in this module, which one do you think you would be most interested in working with in an investigation? Why?
I would like to work with fingerprints. Once you have the rights tools they’re not that hard to find. Matching up the prints seem cool, it’s like a 1000 piece puzzle.
2. What do you think would be the most challenging aspect of collecting and analyzing hair samples? Why?
The most challenging aspect of collecting and analyzing hair samples would be finding a hair sample to collect. I doubt looking for hair is easy. Also, with hair you don’t know whose hair it is unless you have another hair sample to compare it to.
3. Why do you think
1. What are the three types of fingerprints found in the human population? How often does each occur?
1. Loop Fingerprints, 60-60%
2. Whorl Fingerprints, 30-35%
3. Arch Fingerprints, 5%
2. What is a medulla? What do forensic scientists use this for?
The medulla is the set of cells that run through hair. Forensic scientists use the medulla to look at the shape and color of pigment and also to see if the hair has been bleached or dyed.
3. What is a precipitin test? What is it used for?
The precipitin test is used to distinguish between human and animal blood.
4. What makes fingerprints individual? How do scientists match a fingerprint to a specific person?
The ridge characteristics such as ending and closures are what make fingerprints individual. Since everyone has their own unique fingerprint scientist take a known fingerprint and an unknown and look for point-to-point comparisons to see if they match up.
5. How are fingerprints discovered at crime scenes?
Some fingerprints are visible; if not a device called the Reflected Ultraviolet Imaging System aims UV light at areas where fingerprints might be. If there is a fingerprint it will reflect back under the UV light or finger print power can be dusted over areas.
Critical Thinking Questions
1. Of the three types of physical evidence discussed in this module, which one do you think you would be most interested in working with in an investigation? Why?
I would like to work with fingerprints. Once you have the rights tools they’re not that hard to find. Matching up the prints seem cool, it’s like a 1000 piece puzzle.
2. What do you think would be the most challenging aspect of collecting and analyzing hair samples? Why?
The most challenging aspect of collecting and analyzing hair samples would be finding a hair sample to collect. I doubt looking for hair is easy. Also, with hair you don’t know whose hair it is unless you have another hair sample to compare it to.
3. Why do you think