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Quizzes > Science > Other Sciences

Take the Ultimate CSI Quiz: Test Your Crime Scene Smarts

Ready for CSI trivia? Prove your forensic expertise!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of forensic tools and magnifying glass for a CSI quiz on a golden yellow background

This CSI quiz helps you spot clues, read evidence, and think like an investigator. Play through TV and real-world cases, then use the practice case or the forensics refresher for extra practice, so you learn fast and see where your skills need work.

What does the acronym "CSI" stand for in forensic investigations?
Criminal Scene Investigation
Crime Scene Investigator
Crime Scene Investigation
Crime Simulation Index
CSI stands for Crime Scene Investigator, referring to forensic professionals who analyze evidence at crime scenes. This acronym has been popularized by television shows but is also used in real law enforcement. CSI personnel are trained to document, collect, and preserve physical evidence.
Which of the following is the first step when arriving at a crime scene?
Collect evidence
Interview witnesses
Process photographs
Secure the scene
Securing the scene is the first step to prevent contamination and preserve evidence integrity. Investigators establish perimeters and control access before documentation or collection. Without securing, evidence can be corrupted or lost, compromising the investigation.
Fingerprints are classified based on their:
Patterns of ridges
Color
Width
Chemical composition
Fingerprint patterns are categorized by the arrangement of ridge patterns, such as loops, whorls, and arches. These ridge formations are unique to each individual and form the basis of fingerprint identification. No other characteristic like color is used for classification.
Which powder is commonly used to visualize latent fingerprints under ultraviolet light?
Aluminum powder
Black powder
Fluorescent powder
Magnetic powder
Fluorescent powders contain chemicals that glow under ultraviolet light, making latent fingerprints visible. These powders adhere to the moisture and oils left by the ridges of the skin. Regular black powders absorb light but do not fluoresce, making fluorescent powders critical under alternate light sources.
The term "chain of custody" refers to:
Order of processing photos
Documentation of evidence handling
Sequence of witness interviews
Timeline of crime events
Chain of custody documents every person and process the evidence encounters from collection to presentation in court. This ensures that evidence has not been tampered with or compromised. Proper documentation includes dates, times, and personnel initials.
Which tool is typically used for collecting small trace evidence like fibers?
Tweezers
Broom
Brush
Shovel
Tweezers allow precise handling of small trace evidence without contamination. They help lift single fibers, hairs, or small debris from surfaces. Using tools like brushes or sponges can disturb or mix evidence.
What is the main purpose of photographing a crime scene before evidence collection?
Distract witnesses
Preserve original layout
Test chemicals
Clean the area
Photographing documents the scene in its original state before any alteration. It provides an objective record for analysis and court presentation. Photos capture spatial relationships that may be lost during evidence removal.
In forensic terminology, Locard's exchange principle suggests that:
All evidence is DNA
Two witnesses always agree
Perpetrators leave traces
Suspects always confess
Locard's exchange principle states that every contact leaves a trace. This foundational concept implies that perpetrators both deposit and pick up materials when interacting with a scene. It underpins the collection of trace evidence like fibers, hair, and soil.
Rigor mortis refers to:
Cooling of the body
Decomposition
Discoloration
Stiffening of muscles after death
Rigor mortis describes the postmortem stiffening of muscles due to chemical changes in muscle fibers. It typically begins 2 to 4 hours after death and dissipates after 48 hours. Temperature and environmental conditions affect its onset and duration.
Which forensic technique separates mixtures to identify chemical components?
Spectrophotometry
Electrophoresis
Gas chromatography
PCR
Gas chromatography separates volatile substances based on their distribution between a stationary phase and a gas mobile phase. It is widely used in forensic labs to identify drugs, toxins, and arson accelerants. The result is a chromatogram with peaks corresponding to different compounds.
Luminol is used at crime scenes to detect:
Latent prints
Blood traces
Gunshot residue
DNA
Luminol reacts with the iron in hemoglobin to produce a blue chemiluminescent glow, revealing latent blood traces even after cleaning. It is highly sensitive and can detect blood diluted up to 1 part per million. However, it can also react with certain metals and bleaches, requiring confirmatory tests.
Which layer of hair contains pigment granules?
Root
Medulla
Cuticle
Cortex
The cortex is the thickest layer of hair and contains pigment granules that determine hair color. Beneath the cuticle, it provides strength and elasticity to the hair shaft. Analysis of the cortex helps criminalists distinguish human from animal hair.
The CODIS database is used for:
DNA profile matching
Fingerprint analysis
Toxicology results
Bullet matching
The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) is an FBI-managed database that stores DNA profiles from convicted offenders, unsolved crime scene evidence, and missing persons. It enables law enforcement agencies to link cases through DNA matches. Access to CODIS is strictly regulated to protect privacy.
What type of evidence is a shoe print cast at a scene?
Testimonial evidence
Impression evidence
Biological evidence
Digital evidence
Impression evidence records the shape or contour of an object, such as shoe prints, tire tracks, or tool marks. Casts of shoe prints can link a suspect to a crime scene. Unlike biological evidence, impressions capture the negative space of objects.
Antemortem wounds are those that occur:
After death
During autopsy
Before death
During embalming
Antemortem wounds occur before death and show signs of healing, such as inflammation and fibrin deposition. They contrast with postmortem injuries, which lack vital reactions. Forensic pathologists use these differences to reconstruct events.
What is the primary function of a comparison microscope in forensics?
Compare two samples simultaneously
Detect toxins
Measure blood alcohol
Amplify DNA
A comparison microscope has two objective lenses connected to a single eyepiece, allowing simultaneous viewing of two specimens. It is essential in firearms analysis to match bullets and cartridge cases from separate sources. This side-by-side comparison reveals class and individual characteristics.
What does PCR amplify for forensic analysis?
Proteins
Carbohydrates
Specific DNA sequences
Lipids
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifies targeted DNA segments exponentially to generate sufficient material for analysis. It uses cycles of heating and cooling with a DNA polymerase enzyme to replicate DNA. PCR revolutionized forensic genetics by enabling profiling from minute samples.
Short tandem repeats (STRs) are used in DNA profiling because:
They code for proteins
They degrade quickly
They are identical in all humans
They exhibit high variability
Short tandem repeats (STRs) are repeating sequences of 2 - 6 base pairs in non-coding regions of DNA. They exhibit high variability between individuals, making them ideal markers for human identification. Forensic labs typically analyze 13 to 20 STR loci to create a DNA profile.
Mass spectrometry in toxicology primarily measures:
Density
Viscosity
Mass-to-charge ratio of ions
pH of samples
Mass spectrometry ionizes chemical compounds and measures the mass-to-charge ratio of the resultant ions. This data helps identify unknown substances and quantify known analytes in toxicology. High sensitivity and specificity make it a cornerstone of forensic drug analysis.
Diatoms in tissue samples are most useful for confirming:
Gunshot wounds
Strangulation
Drowning
Poisoning
Diatom analysis involves detecting microscopic algae in the bone marrow or tissues of drowned victims. The presence of diatoms indicates inhalation of water containing these organisms. This method helps distinguish drowning from other causes of death.
The developmental stage of blowfly larvae on a body is primarily used to estimate:
Blood type
Victim identification
Cause of death
Postmortem interval
Blowflies are among the first insects to colonize a corpse. Their larvae develop at known rates, allowing forensic entomologists to estimate time since death. Environmental factors are also considered in these calculations.
Gunshot residue analysis typically looks for particles containing:
Mercury, cadmium, and tin
Lead, barium, and antimony
Aluminum, iron, and nickel
Oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon
Gunshot residue (GSR) particles often contain primer elements such as lead, barium, and antimony. Detection uses microscopy and elemental analysis to confirm a person's presence near a fired weapon. Other metals like tin or cadmium are not typical GSR components.
Y-STR analysis is particularly useful in:
Comparing tool marks
Matching blood spatter patterns
Identifying bone fragments
Sexual assault cases when female DNA overwhelms male DNA
Y-chromosome short tandem repeat (Y-STR) analysis targets male-specific DNA markers, making it useful in mixtures where female DNA predominates. It helps distinguish male contributors in sexual assault investigations. However, it cannot differentiate between male paternal relatives.
Which chemical marker in vitreous humor is used to estimate postmortem interval?
Sodium concentration
Glucose concentration
Potassium concentration
Calcium concentration
After death, potassium levels in vitreous humor rise at a predictable rate as cells break down. Forensic investigators measure this increase to estimate time since death. Vitreous humor is less prone to contamination than blood.
In complex DNA mixture interpretation, the term "probability of exclusion" refers to:
Probability that a random person would be excluded as a contributor
Probability of contamination
Chance to include all contributors
Chance of a false positive
Probability of exclusion quantifies how likely a non-contributor's DNA profile would be ruled out of a mixture. It's critical in assessing the weight of DNA evidence, especially in low-template or mixed samples. Statistical models integrate this measure to support or refute hypotheses in court.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Crime Scene Investigation Basics -

    Grasp key principles of the Crime Scene Investigation quiz, from evidence collection to chain of custody, to reinforce foundational knowledge.

  2. Analyze Forensic Techniques -

    Apply scientific CSI methods like fingerprint analysis and blood spatter interpretation to solve quiz scenarios with confidence.

  3. Recall CSI TV Show Trivia -

    Strengthen your memory of iconic moments and character details from the CSI TV show quiz to enhance your pop culture proficiency.

  4. Apply Las Vegas Crime Lab Procedures -

    Use authentic lab protocols and investigative workflows in realistic quiz questions to improve practical forensic skills.

  5. Evaluate Case Outcomes -

    Critically assess evidence and procedural decisions throughout the quiz to determine the most plausible conclusions in complex cases.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Crime Scene Documentation Techniques -

    High-quality photography and sketching ensure accurate crime scene recording; always include scales and shot logs to meet University of Leicester forensic guidelines. Use a three-tier photo method - overview, midrange, close-up - to capture every detail. A simple mnemonic "Over, Mid, Close" helps you remember the order under pressure.

  2. Chain of Custody and Evidence Packaging -

    Maintaining an unbroken chain of custody is critical to admissibility, as outlined in FBI crime lab protocols. Label each item with collector initials, date, and location, then seal in tamper-evident bags. Remember the phrase "Seal, Sign, Send" to lock in proper procedure.

  3. Blood Spatter Analysis Basics -

    Calculate impact angles using the formula sin(θ) = width/length of droplets, a method endorsed by the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts (IABPA). Determining the point of convergence helps reconstruct suspect positions. Practice with sample data sets from university case studies to build confidence.

  4. DNA Profiling and PCR Essentials -

    Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplifies trace DNA by doubling target strands each cycle - 30 cycles yield over a billion copies, per NCBI standards. Taq polymerase is key for high-temperature replication; remember "Taq Tackles Temperature" to recall its function. Reviewing gel electrophoresis images from academic journals cements your understanding.

  5. Fingerprint Pattern Classification -

    The Henry system divides prints into loops, whorls, and arches - covering over 95% of patterns in IAI case work. A handy mnemonic "LWA" ensures you categorize prints quickly under exam conditions. Compare real AFIS database examples online to sharpen your identification skills.

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