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

Information on which of the following biometric features will be collected by the by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) under the UID project?

I. Face II. Ten finger-prints III. Iris

  1. I only

  2. I and II only

  3. II and III only

  4. III and I only

  5. I, II and III
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The Cabinet Committee on Unique Identification Authority of India related issues (CC-UIDAI) on May 18, 2010 approved in principle the adoption of the approach outlined by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for collection of biometric attributes of residents (face, all ten fingerprints and iris) for the UID project. The UIDAI decided to collect face, all ten fingerprints and iris attributes of the residents for ensuring uniqueness of the identities.

Multiple choice

Directions: The last sentence in the following passage has been deleted. Select the sentence, out of the available options, that best suits the end of the passage.

The discovery of DNA fingerprinting had huge implication for the non-criminal legal system and led to an overhaul of the UK's Immigration legislation. Current UK immigration legislation accepts results of DNA testing as the ultimate proof or relationship between a child and his or her relatives. Accordingly, DNA test results will normally (although not invariably) provide conclusive evidence as to whether a child is related, as claimed, to one or both of his alleged parents. Before January 1991, it was up to the applicant to decide whether or not to obtain DNA evidence in support of his or her application or appeal. In January 1991, a government scheme was introduced, which enables entry clearance officers (ECOs) to offer to arrange DNA tests in cases where

  1. the applicants are persistent even after the claim having been rejected on filial grounds

  2. the court has intervened in favour of the applicant, although the administration may have rejected the claim

  3. the UK sponsors are prepared to bear the costs

  4. they are not satisfied that persons seeking admission as children are related to their UK sponsor

  5. other genetic determination tests fail to prove conclusively the sponsorship claims
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

 (4) is grammatically and logically correct as the pronoun 'they' refers to ECOs and the test is needed only where parenthood is in doubt. 

Multiple choice

Which among the following does not characterises the process of DNA microarray?

  1. A DNA microarray is a collection of microscopic DNA spots attached to a solid surface.

  2. Probe-target hybridization is usually detected and quantified by detection of fluorophore, platinum, or chemiluminescence-labeled targets.

  3. DNA microarray experiment can accomplish many genetic tests in parallel.

  4. DNA microarrays can be used to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms.

  5. DNA microarrays involves the hybridization between two DNA strands.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Probe-target hybridization is usually detected and quantified by detection of fluorophore, silver, or chemiluminescence-labeled targets to determine relative abundance of nucleic acid sequences in the target.

Multiple choice

Which of the following markers used in DNA fingerprinting of plants show high level of polymorphism and are reproducible also?

  1. Sequence characterised amplified region (SCAR)

  2. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs)

  3. Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs)

  4. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR)

  5. Minisatellites
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Minisatellites consist of regions containing repeat sequences 16 to 64 base pairs. Different individuals have different number of repeats as mutation rate is high in these regions. Thus,  these markers show high level of polymorphism and are reproducible also.

Multiple choice

A single nucleotide polymorphism is a variation, at a single position in a DNA sequence among individuals. Which of the following techniques of epigenetics is used to find the single nucleotide polymorphism?

  1. Direct sequencing

  2. Pyrosequencing

  3. Methylation-sensitive single-strand conformation analysis (MS-SSCA)

  4. High resolution melting analysis (HRM)

  5. Methylation-sensitive single-nucleotide primer extension (MS-SnuPE)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

High-resolution melting analysis (HRM) is used to find the single nucleotide polymorphism. The method is based on the technique of real time PCR. The extent of DNA methyaltion is calculated from the C : T ratio as determined by changes in temperature and subsequent release of the fluorescent dye.

Multiple choice

There are numerous types of genetic markers. Which of the following has been used to trace the phylogeny of different organisms?

  1. Variable Number Tandem Repeat or VNTR

  2. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism or SNP

  3. Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA or RAPD

  4. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism or AFLP

  5. Short Tandem Repeat or STR
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

It is a type of polymerase chain reaction but in this case DNA segments that are amplified would be random. It has been used to trace the phylogeny (is the sequence of events involved in the evolutionary development of a species or taxonomic group of organisms) of various animals and plants.

Multiple choice

DNA fingerprinting refers to

  1. molecular analysis of profiles of DNA samples

  2. analysis of DNA samples using imprinting devices

  3. techniques used for molecular analysis of different specimens of DNA

  4. techniques used for identification of fingerprints of individuals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

DNA fingerprinting is the technique of determining nucleotide sequences of certain areas of DNA which are unique to each individual. DNA contains noncistronic hyper variable repeat sequences called VNTR. DNA fingerprinting involves the identification of these VNTRs.

Multiple choice

DNA fingerprinting refers to

  1. molecular analysis of profiles of DNA samples

  2. analysis of DNA samples using imprinting devices

  3. techniques used for molecular analysis of different specimens of DNA

  4. techniques used for identification of fingerprints of individuals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

DNA fingerprinting is the technique of determining nucleotide sequences of certain areas of DNA which are unique to each individual. DNA contains noncistronic hyper variable repeat sequences called VNTR. DNA fingerprinting involves the identification of these VNTRs.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an incorrect statement?

  1. DNA finger printing was developed by Alec Jaffrey.

  2. Non-coding repetitive sequences present throughout the chromosome are called as plasmids.

  3. DNA profiling technique is used in parental testing and criminal investigation.

  4. Exonucleases remove nucleotides from the terminal ends either 5’ or 3’ of DNA in one strand of duplex.

  5. EcoRI was isolated from the bacterium Escherichia coli RY13 strain.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Short, non-coding repetitive sequences present throughout the chromosome are called as minisatellites. A plasmid is an extrachromosomal, extranuclear DNA molecule occurring free in the cytoplasm and capable of autonomous replication.

Multiple choice

Which of the following are phylogenetic footprinting–based methods? P. ConSite Q. PromH(W) R. MEME S. AlignACE

  1. P and Q

  2. P and R

  3. P and S

  4. Q and R

  5. R and S
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Phylogenetic Footprinting–Based Method The identification of conserved noncoding DNA elements that serve crucial functional roles is referred to as phylogenetic footprinting; the elements are called phylogenetic footprints. This type of method can apply to both prokaryotic and eukaryotic sequences. ConSite is a web server that finds putative promoter elements by comparing two orthologous sequences. PromH(W) is a web-based program that predicts regulatory sites by pair- wise sequence comparison.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is INOCRRECT?

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

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

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

  4. Gel electrophoresis is a basic technique used to separate DNA, RNA or proteins.

  5. PCR is a laboratory technique for amplifying a specific DNA sequence.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A 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.