Question 1

DNA is unique to all individuals except ______.

Accepted Answer

Identical twins share the same DNA because they are formed from the same fertilized egg that splits into two embryos.

Question 2

The first exoneration in the United States took place in ______.

Accepted Answer

The first exoneration in the United States, based on DNA evidence, took place in 1989. This marked a significant milestone in the use of forensic science to correct wrongful convictions.

Question 3

The results from a polygraph tests are admissible in ______.

Accepted Answer

Polygraph test results are generally not admissible in court, but New Mexico is an exception where they can be admitted under certain circumstances.

Question 4

Of the three stages of eyewitness identification, remembering what happened is also known as perception.

Accepted Answer

Perception is the initial stage of eyewitness identification where the witness observes the event. Remembering what happened is related to memory, not perception.

Question 5

Perception refers to remembering the crime.

Accepted Answer

Perception refers to the process of recognizing and interpreting sensory stimuli, not remembering the crime.

Question 6

The right to counsel during the criminal process stems from the Fourth Amendment.

Accepted Answer

The right to counsel during the criminal process is guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, not the Fourth Amendment. The Fourth Amendment addresses protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Question 7

There is no right to an attorney for photographic identifications.

Accepted Answer

During photographic identifications, there is no constitutional right to have an attorney present, as this process is not considered a critical stage of the criminal proceedings where legal representation is required.

Question 8

In a rape prosecution, the issue of whether there was consent rather than whether the defendant was the perpetrator is considered to be a DNA problem/issue of ______.

Accepted Answer

The issue of consent in a rape prosecution is considered a matter of relevancy, as it pertains to the relevance of the evidence (including DNA evidence) to the question of whether the sexual act was consensual, rather than to the technical aspects of DNA analysis such as laboratory procedures, significance, or contamination.

Question 9

In which of the following circumstances will polygraph results be admitted into evidence at trial in federal district courts?

Accepted Answer

Polygraph results are generally not admissible in federal district courts due to questions about their reliability. However, they may be admitted under special and limited circumstances, such as when both parties agree to their admissibility.

Question 10

What is the name of the method named after a Paris police officer, who worked to identify criminals by precise physical measurements and identification of unusual physical characteristics?

Accepted Answer

The Bertillon method, named after Alphonse Bertillon, is a system of physical measurements, photographs, and record-keeping used for identifying criminals. This method was an early effort at scientific policing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Question 11

Memory is our personal story of what happened.

Accepted Answer

Memory serves as a personal narrative, comprising our recollections and experiences, thus shaping our individual stories of what has happened in our lives.

Question 12

DNA was first used in criminal cases in which decade?

Accepted Answer

DNA was first used in criminal cases in the 1980s, with the first case being solved in 1986 in England.

Question 13

Identification does not involve threats to accuracy.

Accepted Answer

Identification can involve threats to accuracy because it may rely on subjective judgments, imperfect methods, or incomplete information, leading to potential errors or biases in identifying individuals or objects.

Question 14

An eyewitness identification method in which neither the administrator nor the eyewitness knows who the suspect is known as a blind administration.

Accepted Answer

In a blind administration, the person conducting the lineup or photo array does not know who the suspect is, preventing any unintentional cues or biases from influencing the eyewitness's identification.

Question 15

The Fifth Amendment protects individuals against being required to disclose information or what is termed testimonial evidence.

Accepted Answer

The Fifth Amendment includes protection against self-incrimination, allowing individuals to refuse to answer questions or provide information that could incriminate themselves.

Question 16

The test of scientific technique in which judges are asked to study the research and expert views to reach their own conclusions as to whether a technique will be applicable and helpful is known as the ______ test.

Accepted Answer

The Daubert test refers to a legal standard used in the federal court system (and adopted by many state courts) to assess the admissibility of expert witnesses' testimony and scientific evidence. It requires that the evidence be relevant, reliable, and based on scientifically valid reasoning and methodology.

Question 17

One term for the nonsuspects in a lineup is "foils."

Accepted Answer

Foils are individuals included in a lineup who are known not to be the suspect but are used to ensure that the identification process is fair and not suggestive.

Question 18

The average length of time served by inmates who were exonerated is ______.

Accepted Answer

The average length of time served by inmates who were exonerated is approximately 14 years. This statistic highlights the significant portion of their lives that wrongfully convicted individuals often lose before their innocence is recognized and they are released.

Question 19

Identification is an exact process.

Accepted Answer

Identification involves estimating the likelihood that a given set of characteristics matches a known entity, which can be subject to errors and uncertainties, making it not always exact.

Question 20

All of the following were identified as applications of DNA in the criminal process except ______.

Accepted Answer

Rehabilitation is not directly related to the use of DNA in the criminal process. DNA is primarily used for detection, investigation, and determining guilt or innocence, not for the rehabilitation of offenders.

Quiz 9: Eyewitness and Scientific Identifications