Historical Applications of Forensic Science

What was an early application of fingerprints in ancient China?

• To identify criminals in court.

• To verify identities on important documents.

• To track population demographics.

• To create artistic impressions.

How was the murderer identified in the 1247 AD Chinese case involving flies?

• The murderer confessed after being interrogated.

• Flies were attracted to the invisible traces of blood on the murderer's sickle.

• The victim's body was found near the murderer's home.

• Witnesses saw flies swarming around the murderer.

What was the primary role of coroners when the system was introduced in England in 1149?

• To prosecute criminals in court.

• To provide medical treatment to victims.

• To investigate deaths, especially those under suspicious circumstances.

• To manage royal finances.

What significant contribution did Fortunato Fidelis make to forensic science in 1598?

• He developed the first method for DNA analysis.

• He established the first forensic laboratory.

• He integrated forensic work into the medical field, examining bodies to determine the cause of death.

• He invented a new type of fingerprinting technique.

How did the development of the high-powered microscope in the late 1600s impact forensic science?

• It allowed for the first chemical analysis of substances.

• It enabled scientists to observe microscopic details like blood cells and fibers, previously invisible.

• It led to the invention of the first lie detector.

• It was primarily used for astronomical observations.

How did Paul Revere identify General Joseph Warren's body after the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1776?

• Through his unique facial features.

• By matching his dental records, specifically his false teeth.

• Based on his military uniform.

• Using eyewitness testimony from soldiers.

In the 1784 murder case in England, what type of physical evidence was crucial in linking the suspect to the crime?

• Fingerprints found on the weapon.

• A unique bullet casing.

• A scrap of paper wadding from the pistol matched to a piece in the suspect's pocket.

• Bloodstains on the suspect's clothing.

What is the primary principle behind spectroscopy as applied in forensic chemistry?

• A method of identifying substances by their mass.

• A method of identifying substances by the light they emit or absorb.

• A method of identifying substances by their magnetic properties.

• A method of identifying substances by their electrical conductivity.

How did the introduction of photography in forensics in 1864 significantly improve criminal investigations?

• It allowed for faster transportation of evidence to labs.

• It enabled investigators to capture exact visual records of crime scenes.

• It provided a new method for fingerprint analysis.

• It helped in the immediate identification of suspects.

What was anthropometry, developed by Alphonse Bertillon in 1879, primarily used for in forensic science?

• Analyzing chemical compositions of unknown substances.

• Measuring specific physical traits for suspect identification.

• Documenting crime scenes with detailed sketches.

• Classifying different types of blood samples.