Forensic Science Quiz

According to reports from the U.S. Department Justice and the Innocence Project, what percentage of wrongful convictions has forensic science contributed to?

• 39%

• 50%

• 60%

• 25%

What did the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine find about bite-mark analysis in 2009?

• It was inconclusive

• It was not supported by sufficient scientific data

• It was supported by sufficient scientific data

• It was not mentioned in the report

What does Chris Fabricant define as 'junk science' in his book?

• Scientific evidence that is not used in criminal courts

• Scientific evidence that is based on folklore

• Subjective speculation masquerading as scientific evidence

• Scientific evidence that is widely accepted

What is the main issue with forensic techniques being used in the criminal legal system?

• They are not based on valid scientific evidence

• They are not admissible in court

• They are not reliable

• They are too expensive to implement

Who decides what forensic evidence is admissible in criminal courts?

• The scientific community

• The defense attorney

• The judge

• The prosecutor

What is the main reason for the lack of accountability in cases where faulty forensic evidence is found?

• The lack of qualified experts

• The lack of funding for investigations

• The lack of legal mechanism for holding individuals accountable

• The lack of public interest in the issue

What is the main incentive for forensic experts to not question the validity of forensic techniques?

• To protect their livelihoods

• To avoid legal repercussions

• To maintain their credibility in the field

• To uphold the integrity of the criminal justice system

What is the primary reason for the lack of standards in forensic science education at universities?

• Lack of funding for research

• Lack of qualified professors

• Lack of scientific understanding among students

• Passing down folklore from generation to generation

What was the deciding factor for the jurors in the Swinton trial despite the introduction of bite-mark evidence?

• The DNA evidence

• The eyewitness testimony

• The bite-mark evidence

• The lack of acceptance of the use of bite-mark evidence

What is the main issue with using polygraph tests in criminal courts?

• They are not reliable

• They are not widely accepted by the scientific community

• They are too expensive

• They are not admissible in court