Module 4
Module 4: Review and Critical Thinking
Review Questions
1. What are the three types of fingerprints found in the human population? How often does each occur? 60-65 percent of the population has loop fingerprints. 30-35 percent have whorl fingerprints. 5 percent have arch fingerprints.
2. What is a medulla? What do forensic scientists use this for? A medulla is a set of cells that run through the hair and is different depending on the species it came from.
3. What is a precipitin test? What is it used for? A precipitin test uses an antiserum that interacts with the blood. It is used to determine whether it’s human or animal blood.
4. What makes fingerprints individual? How do scientists match a fingerprint to a specific person? Our fingerprints have around 150 separate ridge characteristics in each fingerprint. Scientists match fingerprints by matching at least 8 to 16 different points.
5. How are fingerprints discovered at crime scenes? If the fingerprints aren’t visible to the naked eye, they use a device called the RUVIS. It aims UV light to areas where fingerprints might be.
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 think it would be really interesting to investigate the blood spatter. It’s cool that you can figure out so much just from the way the blood is on a surface.
2. What do you think would be the most challenging aspect of collecting and analyzing hair samples? Why? It would be challenging because the hair doesn’t always link directly to a person. But it can give a better idea of the person you’re looking for by determining the race, hair color, etc.
3. Why do you think forensic scientists study bloodstain patterns? What can be learned from them? Blood patterns can be used to determine what direction the blood was traveling and the spot where it came from.
4. Out of the types of evidence
Review Questions
1. What are the three types of fingerprints found in the human population? How often does each occur? 60-65 percent of the population has loop fingerprints. 30-35 percent have whorl fingerprints. 5 percent have arch fingerprints.
2. What is a medulla? What do forensic scientists use this for? A medulla is a set of cells that run through the hair and is different depending on the species it came from.
3. What is a precipitin test? What is it used for? A precipitin test uses an antiserum that interacts with the blood. It is used to determine whether it’s human or animal blood.
4. What makes fingerprints individual? How do scientists match a fingerprint to a specific person? Our fingerprints have around 150 separate ridge characteristics in each fingerprint. Scientists match fingerprints by matching at least 8 to 16 different points.
5. How are fingerprints discovered at crime scenes? If the fingerprints aren’t visible to the naked eye, they use a device called the RUVIS. It aims UV light to areas where fingerprints might be.
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 think it would be really interesting to investigate the blood spatter. It’s cool that you can figure out so much just from the way the blood is on a surface.
2. What do you think would be the most challenging aspect of collecting and analyzing hair samples? Why? It would be challenging because the hair doesn’t always link directly to a person. But it can give a better idea of the person you’re looking for by determining the race, hair color, etc.
3. Why do you think forensic scientists study bloodstain patterns? What can be learned from them? Blood patterns can be used to determine what direction the blood was traveling and the spot where it came from.
4. Out of the types of evidence