What is PCR? Why is it useful to forensic scientists?

What will be an ideal response?


PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a technique for replicating or copying a portion of a DNA strand outside a living cell. Three advantages of PCR are that (1) PCR can be used with short DNA strands, (2) shorter strands are more stable and less subject to degradation than longer strands, and (3) PCR can amplify minute quantities of DNA, thus overcoming the limited-sample-size problem often associated with crime-scene evidence.

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Which of the following is NOT a sub-area of document analysis?

a. Forensic accounting b. Handwriting identification c. Examination of lottery tickets d. Examination of suicide notes

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The autopsy may be considered to be an extension of the crime scene as it offers an additional opportunity to search for evidence useful in the investigation

a. True b. False

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What are the different types of police corruption? What themes run through the findings of the Knapp Commission and the Wickersham Commission? What innovative steps might police departments take to reduce or eliminate corruption among their officers

?

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With regard to preparedness activities, the first step after an incident is to mobilize help.

Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)

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