FORENSIC SCIENCE Q&A

Personal Identification

1. Which is a French term which refers to a photograph of a suspect in both front and profile
views?
a. bertillion system c. portrait parle
b. anthropometry d. juxta post

2. What is the branch of science which deals with the anatomy, development, and diseases of
teeth and related structures used in the administration of justice?
a. forensic medicine c. forensic odontology
b. forensic petrography d. forensic science

3. Chain of molecules found in every nucleated cell of the body. Its totality is unique for the
individual, except identical twins.
a. RNA c. Neurons
b. DNA d. Deoxy Nucleic Acid

4. Impression designed by the ridges on the inside of the last joint of the finger or thumb on any
smooth surface through the media of an ink, sweat or any reagents capable of producing
visibility.
a. friction ridge c. latent print
b. furrow d. fingerprint

5. Which is the infallible means of identification?

a. anthropometry c. deoxy nucleic acid
b. photograph d. fingerprint

6. It is an art of reading palm which aims to foretell one’s future.

a. dactylomancy c. graphometry
b. palmistry d. dactylography

7. What is dactyloscopy?
a. the practical application of fingerprints in identification, comparison and classification
b. refers to study of fingerprints as a means of identification
c. a form of divination by means of fingers
d. an art of reading palm

8. What is the scientific of fingerprints as a means of identification?

a. dactyloscopy c. dactylomancy
b. dactylography d. palmistry

9. It is a form of divination by means of fingers. It includes finger movements upon tripods,

planchettes, pendulums, Ouija boards, or the use of finger rings and its movements.
a. dactyloscopy c. dactylomancy
b. dactylography d. palmistry

10. A part of the body which is involved in the studies such as dactyloscopy, dactylography and
dactylomancy.
a. hand c. finger
 b. sole d. face

11. Which is that branch of science which deals with the study of the prints of the palm of the
hand?
a. podoscopy c. poroscopy
b. chiroscopy d. dactyloscopy

12. Which branch of science deals with the examination of impressions left by sweat pores
present on the friction ridges and is a method personal identification?
a. podoscopy c. poroscopy
b. chiroscopy d. dactyloscopy

13. Which branch of science focuses on the study of the soles of the feet as a means of
identification?
a. podoscopy c. poroscopy
b. chiroscopy d. dactyloscopy

14. Palmar and plantar surfaces have friction ridges. Plantar refers to –
a. plants c. palm
b. fingers d. back of the hand

15. The study of fingerprint identification is governed by three (3) principles. Which is NOT a
principle of fingerprint identification?
a. individuality c. infallibility
b. immutability d. invincibility

16. No two (2) persons have exactly the same fingerprints. Which principle governs the
statement?
a. individuality c. infallibility
b. immutability d. invincibility

17. Fingerprint is an ideal means of personal identification because it cannot be forged. What
principle governs the statement?
a. individuality c. infallibility
b. immutability d. invincibility

18. Fingerprint does not change. This statement is supported by which principle?
a. individuality c. infallibility
b. immutability d. invincibility

19. Which is the epidermal hairless skin found on the ventral or lower surface of the hands and
feet covered with minute ridges and furrows and without pigment or coloring matters?
a. tongue c. veins
b. sweat pore d. friction skin

20. Which is part of the friction skin, which actually forms the fingerprint patterns and
impressions?
a. sweat pore c. ridge surface
b. sweat duct d. sweat gland
21. These are small openings found anywhere across the ridge surface and sometimes called
“islands” with color white in plain impression.
a. sweat pore c. ridge surface
b. sweat duct d. sweat gland

22. Which is that part of friction skin which is described as long hose-like structure, which serves
as the passageways of the sweat?
a. sweat pore c. ridge surface
b. sweat duct d. sweat gland

23. Which is responsible for the production of sweat and can be found in the dermis layer of the
skin?
a. sweat pore c. ridge surface
b. sweat duct d. sweat gland

24. What are the fundamental layers of the skin?

I. ridges
II. furrows
III. dermis
IV. epiderms

a. I, and II c. III, and IV

b. II, and III d. I and IV

25. Ridge surface is one of the components of the friction skin. What are found on a ridge
surface?
I. ridges
II. furrows
III. dermis
IV. epiderms

a. I, and II c. III, and IV

b. II, and III d. I and IV

26. What are the two main layers of the epidermis?

I. dermis
II. furrows
III. stratum corneum
IV. stratum mucosum

a. I, and II c. III, and IV

b. II, and III d. I and IV

27. What are the three (3) big families of fingerprint patterns?
I. arches
II. furrows
III. ridges
IV. whorls
V. friction skin
VI. loops
 a. I, IV and V c. III, IV and VI
b. I, II and III d. I. IV and VI

28. A pattern in which the ridges flow from one side to the other without recurving, usually
having a slight upward in the center, making the pattern like an arch.
a. ordinary arch c. simple arch
b. normal arch d. plain arch

29. In this type of arch, where one or more ridges at the center form an up thrust or make a
sufficient rise giving an angle of 90 degrees or less or a pattern similar to a loop but lacking one
or two of its essential elements.
a. right arch c. tented arch
b. acute arch d. special arch

30. It is that pattern in which one or more of the ridges enter on either side of the impressions,
then turn or make a recurve, passing or touching an imaginary line drawn between the delta and
the core, then flow toward the same side of the impression from where the ridges entered.
a. arch c. whorl
b. loop d. complex

31. Which is NOT an element of loop?

a. delta c. recurving ridge that passes between delta and core
b. core d. at least two ridge counts

32. It is that kind of loop which the ridges run toward the direction of the thumb.
a. radial loop c. plain loop
b. ulnar loop d. tented loop

33. A pattern consisting of a core, delta and one or more ridge forming a complete circuit.
a. arch c. whorl
b. loop d. complex

34. Which are the types of a whorl?

I. plain
II. tented
III. ulnar
IV. double loop
V. accidental
VI. central pocket
VII. radial

a. I, II, III and VII c. II, III, IV and VI

b. I, IV, V and VI d. II, III, VI and VII

35. Which is NOT an element of a plain whorl?

a. two deltas
b. five cores
c. complete circuit
d. at least one circuiting ridge is touched is crossed by imaginary line
36. A type of whorl which is composed of two (2) deltas and at least one (1) ridge makes a
complete circuit –
a. ulnar whorl c. radial whorl
b. plain whorl d. central pocket loop whorl

37. A pattern consisting of two (2) deltas, with one or more ridges forming a complete circuit
which may be oval, spiral, circular or any variant of a circle.
a. ulnar whorl c. radial whorl
b. plain whorl d. central pocket loop whorl

38. A pattern that has two (2) deltas and two (2) separate and distinct loop formations with
different sets of shoulders.
a. central pocket c. tented
b. plain d. double loop

39. A pattern characterized by the combination of two (2) different types of fingerprint patterns
like a loop and a whorl, a loop and a central pocket loop, or any combination of two different
loops and whorl type pattern.
a. tented c. double loop
b. central pocket d. accidental

40. It is where the core, delta and other ridge characteristics used for identification and
classification can be found.
a. type lines c. focal points
b. pattern area d. fingerprint card

41. Type of tracing where a whorl has less than three (3) tracing ridges –
a. Inner c. Outer
b. Meeting d. Complex

42. What must be the primary classification where no whorl appears in a set of fingerprint
impressions?
a. x/x c. 1/1
b. 0/0 d. */*

43. When prints are classified, markings are indicated at the bottom of each finger block to
represent the pattern type. What is the symbol for ulnar loops?
a. x c. l
b. u d. diagonal line

44. When prints are classified, whorls in any finger are classified by what?
a. W c. X
b. A d. –

45. What would be the mark when accidental whorl was found at the index finger in secondary
classification?
a. X c. A
b. W d. AW
46. What will be the numerator of the fingerprint classification when all ten (10) fingers are
amputated or missing since birth?
a. M 32 W MMM c. none
b. O – W OOO d. x/x

47. Rolled impressions are taken individually by rolling the ten fingers of a subject. All fingers
aside from thumbs are rolled –
a. towards the body of the fingerprint technician
b. away from the technician’s body
c. to the left
d. to the right

48. Rolled impressions are taken individually by rolling the ten fingers of a subject. Both thumbs
are rolled –
a. towards the body of the fingerprint technician
b. away from the technician’s body
c. to the left
d. to the right

49. What is the impression made simultaneously on the bottom of the fingerprint card that
serves as reference?
a. rolled impression c. first impression
b. plain impression d. second impression

50. This fingerprint classification is based on the ridge count of –

a. a loop appearing in the right thumb
b. a loop appearing in the right index finger
c. a loop appearing in the right little finger
d. a loop appearing in the right middle finger

Forensic Photography

1. It is an art and science which deals with the production of image upon sensitized materials
through the action of light, with the aid of an image forming device known as camera and its
accessories and the chemical process involved therein.
a. police photography c. photography
b. forensic photography d. xerox

2. The word photography was derived from two (2) Greek words. What is the literal translation of
those words?
a. to take a photograph c. to paint by the aid of light
b. drawing by means of camera d. to draw by the aid of light

3. It deals with the production of image upon sensitized materials through the action of light, with
the aid of an image forming device known as camera and its accessories and the chemical
process involved therein to be used in crime scene documentation and in evidence.
a. police photography c. photography
b. forensic photography d. forensic graphology
4. What deals with the production of image upon sensitized materials through the action of light,
with the aid of an image forming device known as camera and its accessories and the chemical
process involved therein for the purpose of photographing the crime scene and the objects
found therein for court presentation?
a. police photography c. photography
b. forensic photography d. forensic graphology

5. The device for capturing image must be devoid of light. It is the function of what major part of
a camera?
a. aperture / lens c. shutter
b. film holder d. light tight box

6. Major part of the camera which allows sufficient amount of light in forming image.
a. aperture / lens c. shutter
b. film holder d. light tight box

7. What major part of the camera has the function of holding the light sensitized material firmly?
a. aperture / lens c. shutter
b. film holder d. light tight box

8. Which major part of a camera controls the amount light penetrating the film through the lens?
a. aperture c. shutter
b. film holder d. light tight box

9. Object or real evidence are those that are addressed to the senses of the court. What is the
other term for object / real evidence?
a. documentary evidence c. direct evidence
b. derivative evidence d. autoptic evidence

10. Which is used in photographing and recording unseen objects and is commonly used in dirty
documents, burnt documents, obliterated / altered documents, and in some cases, blood spilled
in dark surfaces?
a. ultraviolet photography c. x-ray photography
b. infrared photography d. macro-etching

11. Which is used in photographing and recording the internal structure of the body for medico-
legal purpose?
a. ultraviolet photography c. x-ray photography
b. infrared photography d. macro-etching

12. What photography is employed when verifying and photographing the watermarks and other
essential details of genuine and fake money?
a. ultraviolet photography c. x-ray photography
b. infrared photography d. macro-etching

13. The photographing of objects which are directly enlarged on the negative and magnified
from 1 to 9 times.
a. ultraviolet photography c. x-ray photography
b. infrared photography d. photomacrography
14. Which is the purpose of mug shots in police operations?
a. evidence against the accused c. public information drive of the police station
b. documentation d. personal identification

15. Which kind of lens is ideal in crime scene photography?

a. telephoto c. normal
b. zoom d. wide angle

16. The ideal lens to use in crime scene photography must provide what view?
a. panoramic view c. chromatic
b. parallax d. normal view

17. This means the absence of all colors –

a. black c. transparent
b. white d. red

18. Which of the following means the presence of all colors?

a. black c. transparent
b. white d. red

19. Not all lights are seen by the naked eye. The visibility of light depends on what?
a. color c. brightness
b. wavelength d. speed

20. Millimicrons may determine the wavelength of a light. Which part of the eye detects a light?
a. lens c. optic nerves
b. retina d. pupil

21. Lights that are invisible are what?

a. with wavelengths that are too short to excite the eye
b. with wavelengths that are too long to excite the eye
c. with wavelengths that are neither too short nor too long to excite the eye
d. with wavelengths that are either too short or too long to excite the eye

22. The retina of the eye is comparable to what part of the camera?
a. light sensitized material c. shutter
b. film holder d. aperture

23. It has a wavelength of .01 to 30 millimicrons and also known as X-ray. The statement refers
to what?
a. roentgen ray c. black light
b. coherent d. heat light

24. Infrared light is commonly used in examining burnt documents. Infrared is also known as –
a. roentgen ray c. black light
b. coherent d. heat light
25. A entrapment operation was conducted and the suspect was arrested. It must be
established that the payment was received by the suspect so he was subjected to examination.
Which light is used in determining whether the suspect held / touched the marked money?
a. roentgen ray c. black light
b. coherent d. heat light

26. The questioned document examiner believes that some writings in the copy of the subject
check was obliterated. What light is useful in verifying the suspicion of the examiner?
a. roentgen ray c. black light
b. coherent d. heat light

27. What is the positive print produced when the object is placed on top of the light sensitized
material?
a. calotype c. black photograph
b. shadow photograph d. x-ray

28. Which is the color of a visible light that has the longest wavelength?
a. cyan c. blue
b. green d. red

29. Which is the color of a visible light that has the shortest wavelength?
a. cyan c. blue
b. green d. red

30. Which color of visible light has neither the longest nor shortest wavelength?
a. cyan c. blue
b. green d. red

31. Which of the following correctly describes visible light?

a. light that excites the lens of the eye
b. light which has a wavelength that is either too long or too short to excite the eye
c. light which has a wavelength that is neither too long nor too short to excite the eye
d. light has no wavelength

32. It is developed by Joseph Nicephore Niepce. A photography with the aid of sunlight wherein
the light sensitized material is exposed under the sun.
a. calotype c. heliograph
b. shadow photography d. calligraphy

33. The investigator used a camera using photographic paper. Which of the following must be
used as developer?
a. dektol c. Ampex VR 1000
b. d-76 d. dektron

34. Camera and its essential parts are comparable to eyes and its parts. Camera is a product of
technical evolution. The eye is product of what?
a. mechanical evolution c. sociological evolution
b. ecological evolution d. organic evolution
35. What is the distance measured between the optical center of the lens to the film plane when
lens is set at infinity position?
a. focal length c. depth of field
b. focal distance d. parallax

36. Which is the distance measured between the optical center of the lens to the film plane?
a. focal length c. depth of field
b. focal distance d. parallax

37. How does the negative print appear in the light sensitized material?
a. inverted c. right-side up
b. colored d. invisible

38. Panoramic view may be produced depending on the focal length of the lens. What should be
the focal length to have a panoramic view of the field?
a. less than the diagonal of the material
b. more than the diagonal of the material
c. more than twice the diagonal of the material
d. with variable focal length

39. What is that partition of the lens with a hole in its center that cut off marginal beams?
a. diaphragm c. pinhole
b. aperture d. shutter

40. What is the process of removing unexposed silver halides remaining in the emulsion after
the first stage which is done for 20 to 30 minutes?
a. developing c. fixation
b. emulsion d. stop bath

41. What is the intermediate bath between the development and fixation using water and acetic
acid or sometimes plain water done for 30 seconds?
a. fixation c, stop bath
b. developing d. emulsion

42. Which of the following refers to the chemical process of reduction?

a. fixation c, stop bath
b. developing d. emulsion

43. Which of the following is done through exclusion or omission of an image in the final print?
a. burning-in c. deduction
b. dodging d. cropping

44. Which is the remedy when a positive print is underdeveloped?

a. burning-in c. deduction
b. dodging d. cropping

45. What is the holding back some lights to a specific area to make it lighter in density?
a. burning-in c. deduction
b. dodging d. cropping
46. Which is the presentation of photographic evidence in court in a side by side position?
a. exemplar c. juxta position
b. left and right position d. adjacent presentation

47. What is the maximum distance of recognition by the aid of moonlight?

a. 25 yards c. 2 feet
b. 16 to 17 yards d. 10 – 13 yards

48. The brightness of sunlight may be determined by the shadow or a person / object. What is
the sunlight when the person / object casts uniform and highly distinctive shadow?
a. hazy sunlight c. dull sunlight
b. bright sunlight d. cloudy bright sunlight

49. Which is the mechanical and chemical result of photography?

a. evidence c. exhibit
b. exemplar d. photograph

50. Which is the bending of light when hitting sharp object?

a. reflection c. diffraction
b. refraction d. transparent

Questioned Document Examination

1. Any material containing marks, symbols, or signs either visible, partially visible that may
present or ultimately convey a meaning to someone.
a. records c. statement
b. document d. deposition

2. It is any material wherein a right is established or an obligation is extinguished.

a. records c. statement
b. document d. deposition

3. It means some issue has been raised or which is under scrutiny –

a. questioned c. disposition
b. argument d. suspected

4. Examples of this kind of document are official receipts, sales invoice, and vouchers.
a. public document c. commercial document
b. private document d. official document

5. These kinds of documents form part of public records.

a. notarized documents c. love letters
b. last will and testament d. official receipts

6. Which of the following is the most common class of questioned document?

a. documents with fraudulent alterations
b. documents with issues on age / date
c. holographic wills
d. documents with questioned signatures
7. That kind of document entirely written, dated and signed by the testator –
a. private document c. commercial document
b. public document d. official document

8. Which is a document entirely written, dated and signed by the same person?
a. holographic will c. last will and testament
b. last will d. deed of sale

9. There are four kinds of documents. What kind of document is a diary?

a. public document c. official document
b. private document d. commercial document

10. The result of very complicated series of acts, being as a whole a combination of certain
series of visible mental and muscular habits by long continued painstaking effort.
a. handwriting c. line quality
b. writing d. signature

11. A legal term used to describe a witness who by reason of his special training, skills,
education and experience is permitted to express an opinion regarding the issue, or a certain
aspect of the issue, which is involved in a court action.
a. technician c. expert witness
b. scientist d. extraordinary witness

12. Which is the blotting out or shearing over the writing to make the original invisible?
a. obliteration c. alteration
b. erasure d. burning

13. Documents whose origins are known and can be proven and which can be legally used as
examples to compare with other matters in question.
a. collected c. disputed
b. questioned d. exemplar

14. Results from observed facts processed by logic, or common sense in accordance with the
established rules or laws.
a. hypothesis c. interpretation
b. conclusion d. evaluation

15. Indicator of writing weakness characterized by irregular and shaky strokes –

a. alteration c. obliteration
b. tremors d. forgery

16. What forgery requires the aid of model signature by means of carbon outline, indention or
canal-line, or transmitted or projection process?
a. simple c. traced
b. simulated d. alteration

17. In this type of forgery, the signature is made without any attempt on the part of the forger to
imitate the original signature.
a. simple c. traced
b. simulated d. alteration
18. Which is the most skillful type of forgery?
a. simple c. traced
b. simulated d. alteration

19. What is the additional stroke necessary for the legibility of the letter?
a. embellishment c. hiatus
b. diacritic d. spurious

20. Which is indicated by the irregular thickening of the ink line when the writing slowdown or
stops?
a. tremors c. diacritic
b. hesitation d. hiatus

21. Going back over a defective portion of a writing stroke.

a. retracing c. retouching
b. obliteration d. diacritic

22. Which is the imaginary line upon which the writing rests?
a. baseline c. linear aligner
b. trajectory d. aligner

23. Which is the normal or usual deviation found between repeated specimens of any individual
handwriting?
a. line quality c. natural variation
b. handwriting d. writing

24. These are additional ornamental strokes for the purpose of design or flourish –
a. embellishment c. hiatus
b. diacritic d. spurious

25. The series of lines or curves written in a single letter.

a. tremors c. stroke
b. baseline d. diacritic

26. Fraudulent writing which is copied / drawn though perfect in form, but hardly shows freedom
of movement.
a. tremor of sickness c. tremor of fraud
b. tremor of old age d. genuine tremor

27. Habits which are parts of basic writing system or which are modifications of the system of
writing found among so large a group of writers that have only slight identification value.
a. specific characteristics c. individual characteristics
b. class characteristics d. peculiar characteristics

28. It is the result of the writer’s muscular control, coordination, age, health, nervous
temperament, frequency of writing, personality and character.
a. specific characteristics c. individual characteristics
b. class characteristics d. peculiar characteristics
29. Signatures or other handwritings or hand printings written by an individual upon request for
the purpose of comparison with other handwriting or for specimen purposes.
a. suspected standards c. unknown documents
b. requested standards d. questioned standards

30. These documents are written five (5) years before and after the date of the questioned
signature or writing.
a. requested standards c. contemporaneous standards
b. collected standards d. specimen signatures

31. Which is the average force with which the pen comes in contact with the paper?
a. Pen Emphasis c. Rhythm
b. Pen Pressure d. Pen Position

32. What is the act of intermittently forcing the pen against the paper surface with increased
pressure?
a. Pen Emphasis c. Rhythm
b. Pen Pressure d. Pen Position

33. What is the balance quality of movement or harmonious recurrence of stroke or impulse?
a. Pen Emphasis c. Rhythm
b. Pen Pressure d. Pen Position

34. This pertains to the relative degree of proficiency of the writer –

a. Speed c. Pen Lift
b. Skill d. Pen Position

35. This could be slow, deliberate, average and rapid writing movement which also helps the
technician determine the authenticity of the writing –
a. Speed c. Pen Lift
b. Skill d. Pen Position

36. Which of the following refers to the interruption in a stroke caused by removing the writing
instrument?
a. Speed c. Pen Lift
b. Skill d. Pen Position

37. The very obvious increased in width of a letter –

a. Skill c. Pen Pressure
b. Shading d. Pen Emphasis

38. Which of the following is the location of the pen in relation to paper surface?
a. Pen Pressure c. Pen Emphasis
b. Pen Position d. Rhythm

39. Which of the following is the genuine signature used in preparing simulated or traced
signature?
a. Exemplar c. Requested
b. Model d. Collected
40. The accused made it appear that the signature he wrote was affixed by a different person.
What the accused did is an example of what forgery?
a. Traced c. Altered
b. Simulated d. Spurious

41. Which of the following is a movement usually employed in vertical writing?

a. finger c. forearm
b. hand d. whole arm

42. Which is the writing movement when the entire arm is without rest and is employed in very
large writing?
a. finger c. forearm
b. hand d. whole arm

43. Which of the following is the writing movement usually employed in forming small letters?
a. finger c. forearm
b. hand d. whole arm

44. Which is the writing movement when the elbow is the pivot of the lateral movement?
a. finger c. forearm
b. hand d. whole arm

45. A special form of pen lift distinguishable in that a perceptible gap appears in the writing –
a. base line c. hesitation
b. hiatus d. blunt

46. Those which have been introduced into the handwriting whether consciously or
unconsciously by the writer, in addition to class characteristics –
a. individual characteristics c. class characteristics
b. simulated signature d. accidental characteristics

47. Handwriting characteristics derived from the system of handwriting that a person learns in
school –
a. class characteristics c. personal signature
b. strokes in handwriting d. handwriting style

48. The author wrote a statement. Some of “a” may be mistaken for “u” so he corrected it by
adding lines. The correction refers to –
a. embellishment c. hiatus
b. diacritic d. hesitation

49. A paper which has been treated in such a way as to minimize the changes of forgery by
erasure whether mechanical or chemical –
a. safety paper c. special type of paper
b. coupon bond d. acetate paper

50. Which of the following is also known as “block lettering” or “roman capitals?”
a. print writing c. block writing
b. forged writing d. cursive