Question 1

What is the most common indicator used to estimate the time of death, even if it is only an approximation?

Accepted Answer

Rate of cooling of the corpse

Question 2

Lividity (hypostasis) begins to appear how soon after death?

Accepted Answer

1 to 2 hours

Question 3

If a body is moved or turned over within 12 hours of death, the lividity staining may gravitate to a new area.

Accepted Answer

true

Question 4

Which process results from lactic acid acidifying the muscle protoplasm, making them rigid?

Accepted Answer

Rigor Mortis

Question 5

Rigor Mortis is considered a highly reliable indicator of the exact time of death.

Accepted Answer

false

Question 6

What is the rare phenomenon of "instantaneous rigor" immediately after a violent or highly emotional death?

Accepted Answer

Cadaveric Spasm

Question 7

The "marbling" appearance on the skin during decomposition is caused by gases spreading to the:

Accepted Answer

Superficial veins

Question 8

Which condition involves a gradual drying of tissues into hard, leathery skin, often in dry heat?

Accepted Answer

Mummification

Question 9

Adipocere formation requires which specific environment?

Accepted Answer

Warm, moist, and oxygen-free

Question 10

Decomposition is the only incontrovertible sign of cellular death.

Accepted Answer

true

Question 11

DNA is the basic genetic material found in all body cells with nuclei EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Mature red blood cells (erythrocytes)

Question 12

Identical twins have the same DNA genetic make-up.

Accepted Answer

true

Question 13

In paternity testing, a child inherits how much of their DNA bands from the father?

Accepted Answer

50%

Question 14

Which of the following can be used to create a DNA profile?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Question 15

Saliva itself contains DNA, even without mouth skin cells.

Accepted Answer

false

Question 16

Modern "Single Locus Probes" are sensitive enough to produce a profile from a sample as small as:

Accepted Answer

A pinhead-sized stain

Question 17

A "reverse paternity test" is used to:

Accepted Answer

Identify a dead body by testing the DNA of its parents

Question 18

Only fresh hairs that have been pulled intact with their roots are suitable for DNA profiling.

Accepted Answer

true

Question 19

How many bands per person does a Single Locus Probe produce, making it easier to analyze mixtures (like in multiple rapes)?

Accepted Answer

2 bands

Question 20

Which injury is described as a "graze" or "scratch" that does not go deeper than the skin and does not bleed?

Accepted Answer

Abrasion

Question 21

The shape of a bruise (contusion) is usually a perfect indicator of the size of the object that caused it.

Accepted Answer

false

Question 22

Lacerations are caused by:

Accepted Answer

Blunt instruments

Question 23

Which type of wound has well-defined, regular edges and results in profuse bleeding?

Accepted Answer

Incised wound

Question 24

In a suicidal "cut throat" wound, you would expect to see:

Accepted Answer

No associated protective injuries

Question 25

The depth of a stab wound is a guide to the minimum length of the blade used.

Accepted Answer

true

Question 26

What are the ridges between the spiral grooves inside a rifle barrel called?

Accepted Answer

Lands

Question 27

A shotgun entry wound from "Long Range" (over 4 yards) appears as:

Accepted Answer

A mass of tiny separate holes

Question 28

"Petechial Haemorrhages" (small bleeding spots) on the eyelids are a classic sign of:

Accepted Answer

Asphyxia

Question 29

Drowning in fresh water is toxic to the heart because it liberates potassium from destroyed red blood cells.

Accepted Answer

true

Question 30

What is the horizontal groove around the neck called in cases of constriction?

Accepted Answer

Ligature mark

Question 31

Children are generally more susceptible to poisons than adults.

Accepted Answer

true

Forensic Trivia Challenge

2) Lividity (hypostasis) begins to appear how soon after death?

3) If a body is moved or turned over within 12 hours of death, the lividity staining may gravitate to a new area.

4) Which process results from lactic acid acidifying the muscle protoplasm, making them rigid?

5) Rigor Mortis is considered a highly reliable indicator of the exact time of death.

6) What is the rare phenomenon of "instantaneous rigor" immediately after a violent or highly emotional death?

7) The "marbling" appearance on the skin during decomposition is caused by gases spreading to the:

8) Which condition involves a gradual drying of tissues into hard, leathery skin, often in dry heat?

9) Adipocere formation requires which specific environment?

10) Decomposition is the only incontrovertible sign of cellular death.

11) DNA is the basic genetic material found in all body cells with nuclei EXCEPT:

12) Identical twins have the same DNA genetic make-up.

13) In paternity testing, a child inherits how much of their DNA bands from the father?

14) Which of the following can be used to create a DNA profile?

15) Saliva itself contains DNA, even without mouth skin cells.

16) Modern "Single Locus Probes" are sensitive enough to produce a profile from a sample as small as:

17) A "reverse paternity test" is used to:

18) Only fresh hairs that have been pulled intact with their roots are suitable for DNA profiling.

19) How many bands per person does a Single Locus Probe produce, making it easier to analyze mixtures (like in multiple rapes)?

20) Which injury is described as a "graze" or "scratch" that does not go deeper than the skin and does not bleed?

21) The shape of a bruise (contusion) is usually a perfect indicator of the size of the object that caused it.

22) Lacerations are caused by:

23) Which type of wound has well-defined, regular edges and results in profuse bleeding?

24) In a suicidal "cut throat" wound, you would expect to see:

25) The depth of a stab wound is a guide to the minimum length of the blade used.

26) What are the ridges between the spiral grooves inside a rifle barrel called?

27) A shotgun entry wound from "Long Range" (over 4 yards) appears as:

28) "Petechial Haemorrhages" (small bleeding spots) on the eyelids are a classic sign of:

29) Drowning in fresh water is toxic to the heart because it liberates potassium from destroyed red blood cells.

30) What is the horizontal groove around the neck called in cases of constriction?

31) Children are generally more susceptible to poisons than adults.