Hair Analysis Practice Quiz

Why is hair considered a valuable source of evidence in forensic science?

• It is easy to find at a crime scene.

• It can provide information about the criminal's diet.

• It can help determine if the hair is human or nonhuman.

• It can be used to identify the criminal's fingerprints.

How can a criminal unknowingly leave hair behind at a crime scene?

• By touching surfaces.

• By shedding hair naturally.

• By leaving fingerprints.

• By dropping personal items.

What can the structure of hair help forensic scientists determine?

• The age of the person.

• The gender of the person.

• If the hair is human or nonhuman.

• The height of the person.

Why is hair easily transferred to a victim or crime scene?

• Because it is magnetic

• Because it is lightweight and can stick to surfaces

• Because it is heavy

• Because it is invisible

What is one of the physical characteristics of hair that provides class evidence?

• Its color

• Its tough outer coating

• Its length

• Its smell

Match the following types of DNA with their corresponding descriptions:

• Small, circular DNA found in bacteria

• Ribosomal DNA

• DNA that is part of the ribosome structure

• Plasmid DNA

• DNA found in the mitochondria, inherited maternally

• Mitochondrial DNA

• DNA found in the cell nucleus, containing most of the genetic information

• Nuclear DNA

What type of evidence do hairs with an attached follicle or root provide?

• Class evidence

• Individual evidence

• Circumstantial evidence

• Trace evidence

What type of DNA is found in hairs without a root or follicle?

• Nuclear DNA

• Ribosomal DNA

• Plasmid DNA

• Mitochondrial DNA

What can hairs without a root or follicle reveal?

• Individual identity

• Family relationships

• Blood type

• Age of the individual

What is one limitation of using hair as evidence in forensic investigations?

• It can determine the exact time a hair was left at a crime scene.

• It can always identify the person who left the hair.

• It may be a secondary transfer.

• It can be used to determine blood type.