Miscellaneous Questions of Forensic Science Set-1

Question 1) Lysergic acid is found in
a) Ergot fungus
b) Psilocybe mexicana
c) Lophophora Williamsii
d) Argemone Mexicana
Solution: a) It is a colourless, tasteless, odourless, semi-synthetic compound, the lysergic acid portion of which is a natural product of the ergot fungus Claviceps purpurea.

Question 2) Pump action of a firearm is also called
a) Lever action
b) Bolt action
c) Trombone action
d) Air action
Solution: c) The FN Browning Trombone is a pump-action long takedown rifle designed by John M. Browning in 1919, patented on 1 August 1922 and manufactured by FN Herstal from 1922 to 1974. Models manufactured post 1969 had a product code W. FN Trombone

Question 3) The following wounds will heal without a scar formation:
a) Abrasion
b) Laceration
c) Chop wound
d) Stab wound
Solution: a) A first-degree abrasion involves superficial damage to the epidermis. The epidermis is the first, or most superficial, layer of skin. A first-degree abrasion is considered mild. It won’t bleed.

Question 4) Vaginal secretion consists of
a) Urea
b) Doderlain’s bacilli
c) Glyoxalase I
d) Serum Cholinesterase
Solution: b) Doderlein’s bacillus is a large, Gram-positive bacterium found in vaginal secretions. It is named after the German obstetrician and gynaecologist, Albert Doderlein. This microbe produces lactic acid that has bactericidal action, inhibiting the growth of other microbes, such as staphylococci. Thus, Doderlein’s bacillus provides some sort of protection in the vagina against certain potentially harmful bacteria.

Question 5) Black mineral colours in the soil are generally related to the presence of the following elements:
a) Manganese and iron
b) Copper minerals
c) Chromium minerals
d) Iron phosphate minerals
Solution: a) Manganese (Mn) is an important micronutrient for plant growth and development and sustains metabolic roles within different plant cell compartments. The metal is an essential cofactor for the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of the photosynthetic machinery, catalysing the water-splitting reaction in photosystem II.

Question 6) The following is not a feature of a female skull
a) Prominent parietal eminence
b) Prominent frontal eminence
c) Prominent glabella
d) Roundish shaped orbits
Solution: c) The supra-orbital ridges, sometimes known as the brow ridges and the glabella (approximate centre of the forehead between the supra-orbital ridges) are more pronounced and rounded in males and less marked in females

Question 7) The author of the book entitled “Suspect Document” is a) Osborn & Osborn
b) Ordway Hilton
c) Wilson R. Harrison
d) R.A. Huber
Solution: c) Dr. Harrison has had over twenty years’ experience and is the Director of the Home Office Forensic Science Laboratory responsible for the examination of documents for the police forces of England and Wales, and for many government departments.

Question 8) Exciter filter is a part of the following microscope
a) Polarising microscope
b) Phase-contrast microscope
c) Fluorescence microscope
d) Transmission Electron microscope
Solution: c) Exciter filters permit only selected wavelengths from the illuminator to pass through on the way toward the specimen.

Question 9) Radioactivity of a substance can be measured by
a) TCD detector
b) MCT detector
c) EC detector
d) Geiger Muller Counter
Solution: d) A Geiger counter (also known as a Geiger–Müller counter) is an electronic instrument used for detecting and measuring ionizing radiation. It is widely used in applications such as Radiological protection, experimental physics and the nuclear industry.

Question 10)

Assertion (A): A phenolphthalein solution is used to show the possible presence of blood.

Reason (R): As there is non-specific peroxidase reaction with haemoglobin producing pink colour.
a) (R) is correct, but (A) is incorrect.
b) (R) is incorrect, but (A) is correct.
c) Both (A) and (R) are correct.
d) Both (A) and (R) are incorrect.
Solution: c) Phenolphthalein is a presumptive test that reacts with the heme molecule present in blood. A positive reaction gives a pink colour. While bloodstains normally appear red-brown in colour, the colour of the substrate or the age of a stain may affect the appearance or visibility of the stain.