Tool Marks Quiz

What are tool marks?

• Patterns left by footwear impressions on soft surfaces.

• Marks left on a surface by a tool, often from impressions, scratches, or abrasions.

• Fingerprint impressions left on smooth surfaces.

• Marks left by tires on a rough surface.

Which of the following best describes an impression mark?

• A deep scratch left by a sharp object.

• A flat, smooth area created by heavy impact.

• An indentation left when a tool presses into a softer material.

• A faint, temporary mark left by fingerprints.

Striation marks are created when:

• A tool is pressed into a soft material without movement.

• A tool moves across a surface, leaving scratch-like patterns.

• A tool is used to break a surface completely.

• A soft object moves over a harder surface.

Why is casting an effective method for preserving tool marks?

• It removes the tool mark from the scene without damaging it.

• It creates an exact replica of the mark for analysis.

• It permanently removes the tool mark from the crime scene.

• It cleans the tool mark for better visibility.

When collecting tool mark evidence, photography is used to:

• Make the tool mark clearer.

• Preserve the mark by taking high-resolution images from multiple angles.

• Remove the tool mark from the scene.

• Change the appearance of the tool mark for analysis.

What factor can influence the appearance of a tool mark?

• The brand of the tool.

• The type of material the tool contacts.

• The speed of the investigator.

• The color of the tool.

Which of the following materials is commonly used to cast tool marks?

• Wax

• Glue

• Silicone or plaster

• Paint

Tool marks are important in criminal investigations because they:

• Identify the exact manufacturer of a tool.

• Link specific tools to crime scenes and suspects.

• Show exactly when a tool was used at the crime scene.

• Can tell investigators the motive of the suspect.

Which type of tool mark would you expect on a door that was pried open with a crowbar?

• Fingerprint mark

• Blood mark

• Striation mark

• Chemical mark

Why might an investigator cast a tool mark instead of photographing it alone?

• Photographs can fade over time.

• A cast provides a three-dimensional replica that can show depth and detail.

• Casts are easier to store than photographs.

• Casting takes less time than photographing.