Biology · Law Legal Studies

Forensic Science Techniques

654 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

What is the correct sequence in DNA fingerprinting?

  1. (1) Isolation of DNA (2) Digestion of DNA by restriction endonucleases (3) Separation of DNA fragments by electrophoresis (4) Transferring (blotting) of separated DNA fragments to synthetic membranes (5) Detection of hybridised DNA fragments by autoradiography (6) Hybridisation using labelled VNTR probe

  2. (1) Isolation of DNA (2) Separation of DNA fragments by electrophoresis (3) Digestion of DNA by restriction endonucleases (4) Transferring (blotting) of separated DNA fragments (5) Hybridisation using labelled VNTR probe (6) Detection of hybridised DNA fragments by autoradiography

  3. (1) Digestion of DNA by restriction endonucleases (2) Isolation of DNA (3) Transferring (blotting) of separated DNA fragments to synthetic membranes (4) Separation of DNA fragments by electrophoresis (5) Hybridisation using labelled VNTR probe (6) Detection of hybridised DNA fragments by autoradiography

  4. (1) Isolation of DNA (2) Digestion of DNA by restriction endonucleases (3) Separation of DNA fragments by electrophoresis (4) Transferring (blotting) of separated DNA fragments to synthetic membranes (5) Hybridisation using labelled VNTR probe (6) Detection of hybridised DNA fragments by autoradiography

  5. (1) Isolation of DNA (2) Digestion of DNA by restriction endonucleases (3) Transferring (blotting) of separated DNA fragments to synthetic membranes (4) Separation of DNA fragments by electrophoresis (5) Hybridisation using labelled VNTR probe (6) Detection of hybridised DNA fragments by autoradiography
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The correct sequence in DNA fingerprinting is: (1) Isolation of DNA (2) Digestion of DNA by restriction endonucleases (3) Separation of DNA fragments by electrophoresis (4) Transferring (blotting) of separated DNA fragments to synthetic membranes (5) Hybridisation using labelled VNTR probe (6) Detection of hybridised DNA fragments by autoradiography

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a computational tool used to calculate theoretical polymerase chain reaction methods that can be used to directly quantify and clonally amplify nucleic acids including DNA, cDNA or RNA?

  1. Allele-specific PCR

  2. Hot start PCR

  3. Dial-out PCR

  4. Digital PCR

  5. In silico PCR
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Digital PCR (dPCR) is a computational tool used to calculate theoretical polymerase chain reaction methods that can be used to directly quantify and clonally amplify nucleic acids including DNA, cDNA or RNA.

Multiple choice

Which of the following techniques is employed by forensic scientists to assist them for the identification of individuals by their respective DNA profiles?

  1. Genome sequencing

  2. DNA testing

  3. DNA hybridisation

  4. DNA replication

  5. Forensic archaeology
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It is also called DNA profiling, DNA typing or genetic fingerprinting. DNA profiles are encrypted sets of numbers that reflect a person's DNA makeup, which can also be used as the person's identifier.

Multiple choice

Which step of DNA sequencing is skipped during shot-gun sequencing?

  1. Computer analysis

  2. Cloning of DNA fragment

  3. Primer reaction

  4. Mapping step
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Shotgun sequencing randomly fragments the entire genome and sequences the fragments, then uses computational methods to assemble them. Unlike hierarchical (clone-by-clone) sequencing, it skips the labor-intensive step of creating a detailed physical map of the genome before sequencing.

Multiple choice

Assertion: Majority of the genome is non-coding but it also has very important role to play almost equal to the coding DNA. Reason: DNA fingerprinting matches the variable number of tandem repeats in order to conclude the results.

  1. Assertion and Reason both are correct and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.

  2. Assertion and reason both are correct and Reason is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion.

  3. Assertion is correct but Reason is wrong.

  4. Assertion and Reason both are incorrect.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The non-coding regions of DNA are employed for various important functions like mutation buffer, regulation of transcription, replication and other processes, which make it equally important as the coding region. DNA fingerprinting makes use of VNTRs, which are repeat sequences in the non-coding regions.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is computational tool used to calculate theoretical polymerase chain reaction results using a given set of primers to amplify DNA sequences from a sequenced genome?

  1. Allele-specific PCR

  2. Hot start PCR

  3. Dial-out PCR

  4. Digital PCR

  5. In silico PCR
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

In silico PCR refers to computational tools used to calculate theoretical polymerase chain reaction results using a given set of primers to amplify DNA sequences from a sequenced genome or transcriptome.

Multiple choice

Which technique is useful in solving mysteries related to robberies and thefts?

  1. Radiocarbon dating

  2. Computer tomography

  3. Gene cloning

  4. DNA fingerprinting
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

DNA fingerprinting is a forensic technique that analyzes unique patterns in an individual's DNA. It is widely used in criminal investigations to identify suspects, link suspects to crime scenes, or exonerate innocent people based on biological evidence like hair, blood, or saliva.

Multiple choice

Which among the following methods is utilised by the scientists to measure the expression levels of large numbers of genes simultaneously or to genotype multiple regions of a genome of an individual?

  1. Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis

  2. Restriction fragment length polymorphism

  3. DNA microarray

  4. Whole genome sequencing

  5. Northern blot
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A DNA microarray is a collection of microscopic DNA spots attached to a solid surface. Scientists use DNA microarrays to measure the expression levels of large numbers of genes simultaneously or to genotype multiple regions of a genome.

Multiple choice

Alec Jeffrey is associated with

  1. Polymerase chain reaction

  2. Recombinant DNA technology

  3. Southern blotting

  4. DNA finger printing
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

DNA finger printing was discovered by Alec Jeffrey.

Multiple choice

Which of the following DNA profiling techniques is employed where a differential extraction of DNA is not possible?

  1. RFLP analysis (Restriction fragment length polymorphism)

  2. PCR analysis (polymerase chain reaction)

  3. STR analysis (Short tandem repeats)

  4. AmpFLP (Amplified fragment length polymorphism)

  5. Y-chromosome analysis
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Recent innovations have included the creation of primers targeting polymorphic regions on the Y-chromosome (Y-STR), which allows resolution of a mixed DNA sample from a male and female or cases in which a differential extraction is not possible. Y-chromosomes are paternally inherited, so Y-STR analysis can help in the identification of paternally related males.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a computational tool used to calculate theoretical polymerase chain reaction results using a given set of primers to amplify DNA sequences from a sequenced genome?

  1. Allele-specific PCR

  2. Hot start PCR

  3. Dial-out PCR

  4. Digital PCR

  5. In silico PCR
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

In silico PCR refers to computational tools used to calculate theoretical polymerase chain reaction results using a given set of primers to amplify DNA sequences from a sequenced genome or transcriptome.

Multiple choice

Which among the following statements is/are not true?

  1. The Northern blotting is a laboratory method used to detect specific RNA molecules from a mixture of RNA molecules.

  2. PCR is a laboratory technique for amplifying a specific DNA sequence.

  3. Electroporation used to transfer polar molecules like DNA into host cells.

  4. The Southern blotting technique depends on similarities between the sequences of probe RNA and experimental RNA.

  5. Gel electrophoresis is a basic technique used to separate DNA, RNA or proteins.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Southern blotting technique is a laboratory method used to detect specific DNA molecules from among a many other DNA molecules. The Southern blotting technique depends on similarities between the sequences of probe DNA and experimental DNA.