Practice Exam: Criminalistics - Questioned Documents & Forensic Chemistry (Set 23)
A 30-question practice exam covering document examination, handwriting analysis, and forensic chemistry including toxicology.
1. In handwriting analysis, what refers to the design of letters that is fundamental to a writing system?
A.Line quality
B.System of writing
C.Slant
D.Alignment
2. A forger attempts to replicate a genuine signature while looking at it. This is known as what type of forgery?
A.Traced forgery
B.Simulated forgery
C.Freehand forgery
D.Cut-and-paste forgery
3. An investigator finds a document where a word was removed using a rubber eraser and then typed over. What is this type of alteration?
A.Interlineation
B.Mechanical erasure
C.Chemical erasure
D.Obliteration
4. Which of the following is a key identifying characteristic when examining documents produced by a dot-matrix printer?
A.Pitch and font style
B.Ribbon ink condition
C.Pin damage and alignment defects
D.Toner-to-paper fusion method
5. What is the primary purpose of using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) in ink analysis?
A.To determine the age of the ink
B.To separate the chemical components of the ink
C.To measure the thickness of the ink line
D.To identify the brand of the pen
6. What branch of forensic chemistry deals with the detection and identification of poisonous substances in body fluids, tissues, and organs?
A.Arson investigation
B.Forensic toxicology
C.Explosives analysis
D.Serology
7. Under RA 9165, what is the minimum quantity of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) that qualifies as a non-bailable offense?
A.10 grams
B.25 grams
C.50 grams
D.100 grams
8. What preliminary field test is commonly used by police officers in the Philippines to screen for the presence of methamphetamine (shabu)?
A.Duquenois-Levine Test
B.Marquis Reagent Test
C.Van Urk's Test
D.Kastle-Meyer Test
9. A bloody shirt is found at a crime scene. To preserve the biological evidence for DNA analysis, what is the most critical first step?
A.Immediately place it in a sealed plastic bag.
B.Spray it with a preservative solution.
C.Allow it to air-dry completely away from direct sunlight.
D.Freeze the shirt while it is still wet.
10. In questioned document examination, what term describes the visible record of the path of a writing instrument on a surface?
A.Pen pressure
B.Stroke
C.Diacritic
D.Retrace
11. What type of forgery is created when a forger writes a signature in their own style, with no attempt to copy the genuine model?
A.Simulated forgery
B.Traced forgery
C.Simple or Spurious forgery
D.Carbon-outline forgery
12. An examiner uses an Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA) on a document. What is this device primarily used to reveal?
A.Alterations made with different inks
B.Indented writing
C.Watermarks on the paper
D.The presence of security fibers
13. Which instrument is used to compare the fine details and individual characteristics of two bullets or cartridge cases side-by-side?
A.Stereoscopic microscope
B.Comparison microscope
C.Gas chromatograph
D.Spectrophotometer
14. In the analysis of paper, what does the term 'watermark' refer to?
A.A post-production security feature
B.A defect from the manufacturing process
C.A design impressed into the paper during manufacture
D.A stain caused by liquid spillage
15. The confirmatory test for the presence of blood, which involves the formation of salmon-pink rhomboid crystals, is known as:
A.Benzidine Test
B.Phenolphthalein Test (Kastle-Meyer)
C.Teichmann Test (Hematin Crystal Test)
D.Luminol Test
16. What is the main objective of chain of custody in the handling of physical evidence?
A.To demonstrate the evidence is relevant to the case.
B.To account for the life of the evidence from collection to court presentation.
C.To prevent unauthorized personnel from viewing the evidence.
D.To ensure the evidence is properly labeled with the case number.
17. A suspect is believed to have fired a gun recently. Which chemical test is used to detect nitrite residues (from gunpowder) on their hands?
A.Takayama Test
B.Acid Phosphatase Test
C.Diphenylamine Test (Paraffin Test)
D.Florence Test
18. According to RA 9165, which government agency is designated as the primary body for the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs?
A.Philippine National Police (PNP)
B.Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)
C.National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
D.Department of Health (DOH)
19. What is the phenomenon of a typewriter producing letters that are not perfectly aligned on the baseline?
A.Transitory defect
B.Alignment defect
C.Permanent defect
D.Typeface mismatch
20. Handwriting feature that refers to the average force used in writing, as evidenced by the width and darkness of the strokes.
A.Pen pressure
B.Pen lift
C.Shading
D.Rhythm
21. Which of the following is considered a 'class characteristic' of a manufactured product like paper or ink?
A.A unique tear pattern on a piece of paper.
B.The general chemical formula of a specific brand of ink.
C.A random bubble defect in a sheet of glass.
D.A specific striation mark on a tool.
22. The process of making a document appear older than it actually is, is known as:
A.Anachronism
B.Artificial aging
C.Restoration
D.Document charring
23. What is the primary active component in marijuana that is tested for in forensic toxicology?
A.Cannabidiol (CBD)
B.Morphine
C.Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
D.Codeine
24. At a suspected arson scene, where is the best place to collect samples for accelerant testing?
A.At the highest point of the charred area.
B.From any ashes found in the center of the room.
C.At the point of origin, from porous materials and soil.
D.From the ceiling directly above the fire.
25. An alteration on a document where the original writing is covered with an opaque material to block it from view is called:
A.Erasure
B.Obliteration
C.Addition
D.Insertion
26. When collecting a suspect's handwriting standards (exemplars), what is the most important consideration?
A.The writing should be done on the same day.
B.The exemplars should be comparable to the questioned text (e.g., cursive to cursive).
C.The suspect should be allowed to copy the questioned document directly.
D.The writing should be done with the same brand of pen.
27. What is the term for writing that shows a lack of fluency, appearing jerky and slow, which is often a sign of forgery or disguise?
A.Rhythmic writing
B.Spontaneous writing
C.Hesitation
D.Tremor
28. A confirmatory test for semen, which looks for the presence of the p30 protein or Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), is the:
A.Barberio's Test
B.PSA Test (p30 Test)
C.Florence Test
D.Acid Phosphatase Test
29. A document is suspected of being a forgery because the signature appears too perfect and identical to another known genuine signature. This suggests what type of forgery?
A.Traced forgery
B.Freehand forgery
C.Simulated forgery
D.Spurious forgery
30. During a crime scene search for chemical evidence, which item is LEAST likely to be of interest for toxicological or chemical analysis?
A.A half-empty bottle of prescription pills.
B.A syringe found near the victim.
C.A stained piece of carpet that smells of gasoline.
D.A printed email found on the victim's desk.