Biology · Law Legal Studies

Forensic Science Techniques

725 Questions

Forensic science techniques involve the application of scientific methods like DNA fingerprinting, biometrics, and trace evidence analysis to solve crimes. These topics appear in specialized law enforcement and general science exams. Practice these questions to understand forensic fundamentals.

DNA fingerprinting methodsTrace evidence transferBiometrics and identificationForensic pathology

Forensic Science Techniques Questions

Multiple choice zoology genetics of the future hgp and dna fingerprinting dna fingerprinting human genome project and dna fingerprinting

Assertion:  DNA fingerprinting involves identifying differences in some specific regions in DNA sequence.

Reason:  In repetitive DNA sequences, a small stretch of DNA is repeated many times.

  1. If both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason

    is a correct explanation of the assertion

  2. If both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is

    not a correct explanation of the assertion

  3. If the assertion is true but the reason is false

  4. If both the assertion and reason are false

  5. If the assertion is false but reason is true
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Both statements are true: DNA fingerprinting relies on identifying differences in DNA sequences, and repetitive DNA sequences are indeed the basis for these differences. However, the reason explains the mechanism of the polymorphism, not the assertion directly.

Multiple choice zoology genetics of the future hgp and dna fingerprinting dna fingerprinting human genome project and dna fingerprinting

Basis of DNA fingerprinting is

  1. relative proportion of purines and pyrimidines

  2. relative difference in DNA occurrence in blood, skin and saliva

  3. relative amounts of DNA in ridges and groves of fingerprints

  4. satellite DNA occuring as highly short DNA segments.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

By cutting a sample of DNA into fragments and comparing it with other samples it's possible to work out if the DNA has come from the same person. This technique is called DNA fingerprinting, and is a technique used to help solve crimes where the suspect may have left a sample of body tissue at the crime scene. Satellite DNA consists of very large arrays of tandemly repeating, non-coding DNA. Satellite DNA is the main component of functional centromeres, and form the main structural constituent of heterochromatin. The term satellite is used to describe DNA sequences that comprise short head-to-tail tandem repeats incorporating specific motifs. So, the correct option is "Satellite DNA occurring as highly short DNA segments."

Multiple choice zoology genetics of the future hgp and dna fingerprinting dna fingerprinting human genome project and dna fingerprinting

Which of the following is incorrect about DNA finger printing?

  1. It is not inherited from parents to offspring

  2. Show high degree of polymorphism

  3. It is used to detect sex during fetal development

  4. It is used in medico-legal suits
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

DNA fingerprinting is based on inherited genetic markers, so it is inherited. It is not used to determine the sex of a fetus; other methods like ultrasound or amniocentesis are used for that.

Multiple choice zoology genetics of the future hgp and dna fingerprinting dna fingerprinting human genome project and dna fingerprinting

Biometry refers to

  1. Identification of humans by scanning face and fingerprints

  2. Measurement of mechanical displacement in humans

  3. A method of lie detection

  4. Body length relationships across the evolutionary scale
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Biometric recognition (also known as biometrics) refers to the automated recognition of individuals based on their biological and behavioral traits. Examples of biometric traits include fingerprint, face, iris, palmprint, retina, hand geometry, voice, signature and gait.

Multiple choice zoology genetics of the future hgp and dna fingerprinting dna fingerprinting human genome project and dna fingerprinting

DNA fingerprinting is useful for the study of 

  1. Polymorphism

  2. Forensics

  3. Identity and relationship

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

DNA or genetic fingerprinting relies on the principle that no two individuals share the same genetic code except for identical twins. DNA fingerprinting uses the pattern of DNA fragments caused by specific enzymes to identify individual organisms: humans, other animals, plants or any other organism with DNA. DNA fingerprinting is useful in paternity analysis, criminal cases, and many studies of ecology and evolution.

Multiple choice zoology genetics of the future hgp and dna fingerprinting dna fingerprinting human genome project and dna fingerprinting

Which is the most reliable method for identifying a person?

  1. Karyotype examination

  2. DNA fingerprinting

  3. Antibody fingerprinting

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Fingerprinting is a very useful method in identification of a person. A fingerprint is unique to an individual and is permanent. The best method is DNA fingerprinting. One of the most common DNA fingerprinting procedures is RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). Special enzymes are used to cut segments of a sample from which DNA is extracted. The procedure of RFLP focuses on repetitious sequences of DNA bases which vary greatly from individual to individual.

Multiple choice zoology genetics of the future hgp and dna fingerprinting dna fingerprinting human genome project and dna fingerprinting

DNA fingerprinting technique was first developed by 

  1. Boysen and Jensen

  2. Jeffreys, Wilson and Thien

  3. Schleiden and Schwann

  4. Edward and Steptoe
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
British geneticist Sir Alec Jeffrey is widely considered the father of DNA fingerprinting – a technique that has revolutionized forensic science. 
Therefore, the correct answer is option B.
Multiple choice zoology genetics of the future hgp and dna fingerprinting dna fingerprinting human genome project and dna fingerprinting

Which one of the following, scientists developed the process of DNA fingerprinting?

  1. Kary B. Mullis

  2. T. H. Morgan

  3. H. O. Smith

  4. Alec Jeffreys
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In 1984, Alec Jeffreys discovered the technique of genetic fingerprinting in a laboratory in the Department of Genetics at the University of Leicester. Professor Sir Alec John Jeffreys, FRS is a British geneticist, who developed techniques for DNA fingerprinting and DNA profiling which are now used all over the world in forensic science to assist police detective work.

Multiple choice zoology genetics of the future hgp and dna fingerprinting dna fingerprinting human genome project and dna fingerprinting

DNA profiling can be carried out using

  1. Blood

  2. Saliva

  3. Both A and B

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

DNA profiling can be carried out using a sample such as blood, saliva, semen or other appropriate fluid or tissue from personal items (e.g., a toothbrush, razor) or from stored samples (e.g., banked sperm or biopsy tissue). Samples obtained from blood relatives (related by birth, not marriage) can provide an indication of an individual's profile, as could human remains that had been previously profiled.

Multiple choice zoology genetics of the future hgp and dna fingerprinting dna fingerprinting human genome project and dna fingerprinting

Which one of the following scientists developed the process of DNA fingerprinting?

  1. Kary B. Mullis

  2. T. H. Morgan

  3. H. O. Smith

  4. Alec Jeffreys
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Sir Alec Jeffreys, professor of genetics is the pioneer of DNA profiling. DNA profiling (also called as DNA fingerprinting) is a forensic technique used to identify individuals by characteristics of their DNA.

Multiple choice zoology genetics of the future hgp and dna fingerprinting dna fingerprinting human genome project and dna fingerprinting

The commonly used DNA fingerprinting technique in forensic science study is

  1. Southern blotting

  2. Northern blotting

  3. Eastern blotting

  4. Western blotting
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Southern blotting and hybridization with probes can be used to locate a few specific fragments in a large pool of DNA. Southern blotting (named after Edwin M. Southern) is one technique used to transfer the denatured, single-stranded fragments from a gel to a thin solid medium.

Multiple choice zoology genetics of the future hgp and dna fingerprinting dna fingerprinting human genome project and dna fingerprinting

DNA fingerprinting is useful for the study of

  1. Forensic science

  2. Identity

  3. Relationship

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

DNA fingerprinting is a method used in the identification of the genetic information (DNA) in a person's cell. It is a forensic technique used to identify an individual by the characteristics of the DNA. It is also useful to identify the identity and relation of an individual with others.

Multiple choice zoology genetics of the future hgp and dna fingerprinting dna fingerprinting human genome project and dna fingerprinting

Which of the following is not required for any of the techniques of DNA finger printing available at present

  1. DNA-DNA hybridisation

  2. Polymerase chain reaction

  3. Zinc finger analysis

  4. Restriction enzymes
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
A zinc finger is a small protein structural motif that is characterized by the coordination of one or more zinc ions (Zn2+) in order to stabilize the fold. This proves that it does not require any DNA fingerprinting techniques.
So the correct option is 'Zinc finger analysis'.
Multiple choice bio-chemistry applications of biotechnology pcr cutting, insertion and ligation of dna gene cloning procedure biotechnological regulations asexual modes of reproduction

The polymerase chain reaction is a technique used for ____________.

  1. Amplification of DNA

  2. Amplification of enzymes

  3. Amplification of proteins

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Polymerase chain reaction is a technique used for amplification of DNA fragments. Its amplification cycle involve three steps - denaturation, annealing and polymerisation which are repeated for 'n', cycles.