Test Bank for Forensic Chemistry, 3e by

Test Bank for Forensic Chemistry, 3e by Suzanne Bell (All Chapters)

Section 1.1 Question 1

Metrology is best described as *a) The science of making measurements

b) Characterization of scientific meters

c) The process of obtaining reliable weights

d) A process that each forensic laboratory develops for forensic chemical analysis

Section 1.1 Question 2 Data that is fit for purpose

• does not have to be falsifiable
• cannot be generated for most cases so we just do the best that we can
• is always reported in SI units

*d) answers the relevant question clearly and completely

e) None of the above

Section 1.1 Question 3 All of the following are characteristics of "good data" as defined in this course except

a) Falsifiability

b) Reasonable

c) Fit for purpose

d) Defensible

e) Reliable

*f) Trick question - all apply

Section 1.1 Question 4 The NUSAP system

a) Is used in courtrooms to vet scientific experts

b) Guarantees that data is correct

• replaced the discredited OLDSAP system

*d) provides a framework for ensuring that quantitative data is clear and complete

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Section 1.1 Question 5

A forensic toxicology report states that:

"The concentration of heroin in the blood was 0.031 ug/mL ± 0.05 ug/mL"

What element(s) of the NUSAP system are missing? Mark all that apply.

a) The number

b) The units

c) The spread

*d) The assessment *e) The pedigree

Section 1.1 Question 6 What does the "pedigree" term in the NUSAP system refer to?

• The breed of a drug-sniffing dog

*b) The system within a forensic laboratory that stands behind the data that it reports

c) The calibration certificates of analytical balances used in casework

d) The training and experience of the analyst

Section 1.1 Question 7 The term uncertainty in forensic chemistry refers to

a) The doubt associated with a number or result

*b) The spread or variation of data

c) The accuracy of a result

d) The different type of units that can be used to report a number

e) The error

f) None of the above

Section 1.2 Question 1 When dealing with significant figures, the best practice is usually to

a) Panic, as I don't like or understand significant figures

b) Round after every step

c) Ignore it and hope it goes away

*d) Round at the end of the full calculation

e) Clear the calculator after each step and re-enter to be sure it is right

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Section 1.2 Question 2 The number of significant digits in a number is defined as *a) All the digits we are certain of, plus one

b) All digits to the right of the decimal point

c) All digits to the left of the decimal point

d) All digits that are retained by a calculator or spreadsheet

e) All the digits that are retained when scientific notation is used

Section 1.2 Question 3 Data obtained from a digital measuring device or instrument is always better than data from an analog device

a) True

*b) False

Section 1.2 Question 4 Significant figures ultimately arise from

a) Math and trigonometry

b) Rounding rules

c) Metrological conventions and standards

*d) Instruments used to obtain measurements

Section 1.2 Question 5 A result from a forensic chemistry analysis is reported as

• ug/L

The decimal point indicates that

a) There are zeros implied; the result can be read as 1274.000..

*b) There are four significant digits

c) Because of how the measurement was made, the rounding procedure is not

clear

d) The value was rounded from 0.5

Section 1.2 Question 6

A drug seizure weight is reported as:

85.33 g ± 0.04 g The spread (uncertainty) is reported in *a) Absolute uncertainty

b) Relative uncertainty

c) Neither

d) Both

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Section 1.2 Question 7 A seizure of heroin is analyzed to obtain the %purity of the drug. An intermediate calculation involves the weight of the sample which is recorded at 75.54 mg. The balance uncertainty is 0.31 mg.What is the relative uncertainty of the sample weight reported to two significant digits?

• 0.0024
• 243.7
• 0.4

*d) 0.0041

e) None of the above

Section 1.2 Question 8 An analytical syringe used to inject samples into a GC has an absolute uncertainty of ±0.05 uL. What is the relative uncertainty of a 2.5 uL injection?

• 25%
• 0.05 uL
• 50%
• 0.50

*e) None of the above

Section 1.2 Question 9 The tolerance of a pipette used in dilutions is listed as 1.0%. If the pipette is used to deliver 15.0 mL, what is the absolute uncertainty?

• 1.5%
• 0.15 mL or 150 uL

*c) 1.5 mL

• 15.0 uL

e) None of the above

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