1: The following pieces of evidence were found at separate explosion sites. For each item, indicate whether the explosion was caused by low or high explosives, and explain your answers: lead azide residues; nitrocellulose residues; ammonium nitrate residues; scraps of prima-cord; potassium chlorate residues.
2: What color test or tests would you run on a suspect ample to test for evidence of each of the following explosives? Explain your answers: tetryl; TNT; chlorate; nitrocellulose.
3: Matt is collecting evidence from the site of an explosion. Arriving at the scene, he immediately proceeds to look for the crater caused by the blast. After finding the crater, he picks through the debris at the site by hand, looking for evidence of detonators or foreign materials. Matt collects loose soil and debris from the immediate area, placing the smaller bits in paper folded into a druggist fold. Larger items he stores in plastic bags for transportation to the laboratory. What mistakes, if any did Matt make in collecting and storing this evidence.
4: While searching a murder scene, you find the following items that you believe may contain latent fingerprints. Indicate whether prints on each item should be developed using fingerprint powder or chemicals: a leather sofa; a mirror; a painted wooden knife handle; blood-soaked newspapers; a revolver.
5: Criminalist Frank is using digital imaging to enhance latent fingerprints. Indicate which features of digital imaging he would most likely use for each of the following tasks:
1. isolating part of a print and enlarging it for closer examination
2. increasing the contrast between a print and the background surface on which it is located
3. examining two prints that overlap each other.
6: Briefly explain the chemistry of an explosion. What is the difference between a low explosive and a high explosive?
7: Describe the process of collecting evidence of explosives?
8: What is the difference between screening and confirmatory tests? Why are both needed? What is a taggant? Which countries are presently using them?
9: List the three principles of fingerprints and briefly describe them.
10: Describe the procedures to locate and develop fingerprints.
11: Describe the procedures to preserve fingerprints.