DNA Analysis for Criminal Justice: Principles and Techniques

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in DNA analysis?

Accepted Answer

To amplify specific regions of DNA for further analysis

Answer

To separate DNA fragments by size

Answer

To identify genetic mutations

Answer

To analyze DNA methylation patterns

Question 2

Which DNA analysis technique is primarily used to separate DNA fragments of different lengths?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)

Answer

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis

Question 3

What is the primary role of STR (short tandem repeat) analysis in DNA profiling?

Accepted Answer

To identify unique genetic markers for individual identification

Answer

To detect genetic diseases

Answer

To study evolutionary relationships

Answer

To diagnose infectious diseases

Question 4

What is the significance of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in DNA analysis?

Accepted Answer

It provides a theoretical model for allele frequencies in a population at genetic equilibrium

Answer

It allows for the calculation of genetic inheritance patterns

Answer

It helps identify genetic mutations

Answer

It predicts the evolution of populations

Question 5

In criminal investigations, which of these is NOT a commonly used DNA analysis method?

Accepted Answer

RNA analysis

Answer

STR analysis

Answer

Mitochondrial DNA analysis

Answer

Y-chromosome analysis

Question 6

Which of the following steps is NOT involved in DNA extraction?

Accepted Answer

DNA amplification

Answer

Cell lysis

Answer

Protein digestion

Answer

Ethanol precipitation

Question 7

What is the primary purpose of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) in DNA analysis?

Accepted Answer

To amplify specific DNA fragments

Answer

To separate DNA fragments by size

Answer

To detect the presence of specific DNA sequences

Answer

To determine the origin of a DNA sample

Question 8

Which technique is used to separate DNA fragments based on their size and electrical charge?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

PCR

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

DNA extraction

Question 9

What is a DNA profile?

Accepted Answer

A unique pattern of DNA fragments from an individual

Answer

A complete sequence of an individual's DNA

Answer

A database of DNA samples from known individuals

Answer

A method for determining the age of a DNA sample

Question 10

Which of the following is a potential limitation of DNA analysis?

Accepted Answer

It can be subject to contamination or degradation

Answer

It can only be used to identify individuals

Answer

It is always 100% accurate

Answer

It is too expensive to be used routinely

Question 11

How is DNA evidence used in criminal investigations?

Accepted Answer

To identify suspects and exclude innocent individuals

Answer

To determine the time and location of a crime

Answer

To provide a complete reconstruction of a crime scene

Answer

To predict the behavior of future criminals

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a common source of DNA for forensic analysis?

Accepted Answer

Fingerprints

Answer

Blood

Answer

Saliva

Answer

Hair (with roots)

Question 13

What is the purpose of the CODIS database in the context of DNA analysis?

Accepted Answer

To store and compare DNA profiles from known and unknown individuals

Answer

To generate DNA profiles from crime scene evidence

Answer

To interpret DNA test results

Answer

To regulate the use of DNA analysis in criminal investigations

Question 14

Who is credited as the 'father of DNA fingerprinting'?

Accepted Answer

Alec Jeffreys

Answer

Francis Crick

Answer

Kary Mullis

Answer

James Watson

Question 15

What technique is used to amplify specific DNA regions for analysis?

Accepted Answer

PCR

Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

Capillary electrophoresis

Answer

RFLP analysis

Question 16

Which component is NOT part of a nucleotide's structure?

Accepted Answer

Uracil

Answer

Deoxyribose sugar

Answer

Phosphate group

Answer

Adenine

Question 17

What is the primary purpose of using a DNA extraction kit?

Accepted Answer

To purify DNA from a sample

Answer

To amplify DNA

Answer

To analyze DNA fragments

Answer

To create a DNA profile

Question 18

What process involves separating DNA fragments based on their size and electrical charge?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

PCR

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

DNA hybridization

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of a VNTR (Variable Number Tandem Repeat)?

Accepted Answer

STR

Answer

SNP

Answer

Mitochondrial DNA

Answer

Y-chromosome DNA

Question 20

Which of the following is an essential component of DNA?

Accepted Answer

Adenine

Answer

Glucose

Answer

Sodium

Answer

Potassium

Question 21

What is the name of the process that makes copies of DNA before cells divide?

Accepted Answer

Replication

Answer

Transcription

Answer

Translation

Answer

Amplification

Question 22

Which laboratory technique is used to make multiple copies of a specific DNA sequence?

Accepted Answer

PCR

Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

DNA fingerprinting

Answer

Serology

Question 23

Which of the following is not a legitimate use of DNA analysis in criminal investigations?

Accepted Answer

Predicting future criminal behavior

Answer

Identifying suspects

Answer

Excluding suspects

Answer

Determining paternity

Question 24

Which technique is used to separate DNA fragments based on their size?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

PCR

Answer

DNA fingerprinting

Answer

DNA sequencing

Question 25

What is the function of restriction enzymes in DNA analysis?

Accepted Answer

They cut DNA at specific nucleotide sequences

Answer

They amplify DNA sequences

Answer

They sequence DNA

Answer

They fingerprint DNA

Question 26

Enzymes are essential for DNA extraction. Which one listed below is specifically involved in this process?

Accepted Answer

Helicase

Answer

Polymerase

Answer

Ligase

Answer

Restriction enzyme

Question 27

PCR is a significant technique in DNA analysis. What is its primary purpose?

Accepted Answer

Amplifying DNA fragments

Answer

Separating DNA fragments

Answer

Digesting DNA molecules

Answer

Visualizing DNA bands

Question 28

DNA fingerprinting involves the use of various techniques. Which of the following is a widely used method for DNA fingerprinting?

Accepted Answer

STR analysis

Answer

qPCR

Answer

Sanger sequencing

Answer

Microarray

Question 29

CODIS is a crucial tool in forensic DNA analysis. What is its primary significance in criminal investigations?

Accepted Answer

Identifying a suspect through their DNA profile

Answer

Confirming the presence of DNA evidence

Answer

Determining the type of crime committed

Answer

Providing information about the victim

Question 30

Contaminated DNA evidence can have serious consequences in a criminal investigation. Which of the following is NOT a potential impact of contaminated DNA evidence?

Accepted Answer

It can provide additional information about the crime

Answer

It can lead to false accusations

Answer

It can make it difficult to interpret results

Answer

It can prevent the identification of a suspect

Question 31

Capillary electrophoresis is a technique commonly employed in DNA analysis. What is its primary function in this context?

Accepted Answer

Separating DNA fragments by size

Answer

Amplifying DNA fragments

Answer

Visualizing DNA bands

Answer

Identifying genetic mutations

Question 32

How do you determine whether a suspect's DNA profile matches a DNA sample collected from a crime scene?

Accepted Answer

Compare the length of the STR fragments in each sample.

Answer

Compare the number of alleles present in each sample.

Answer

Compare the DNA sequences of both samples.

Question 33

In forensic investigations, how does DNA analysis help identify unknown individuals?

Accepted Answer

DNA analysis allows investigators to match DNA profiles from crime scene evidence to profiles in databases.

Answer

DNA analysis can identify an individual's physical characteristics like eye color and hair texture.

Answer

DNA analysis can determine both the age and gender of an individual.

Question 34

Which of the following is the process of creating numerous copies of a specific DNA segment?

Accepted Answer

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

Answer

Sanger Sequencing

Answer

RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism)

Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Question 35

In PCR, the primary enzyme utilized is:

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase

Answer

Restriction endonuclease

Answer

Reverse transcriptase

Answer

Ligase

Question 36

Which of the following is not a step in the process of DNA extraction?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

Protein digestion

Answer

Cell lysis

Question 37

In DNA analysis, the purpose of restriction enzymes is to:

Accepted Answer

Sever DNA at specific sequences

Answer

Sequence DNA

Answer

Amplify DNA

Answer

Separate DNA fragments

Question 38

A limitation of using DNA evidence in criminal investigations is that:

Accepted Answer

Obtaining a sufficient sample can be challenging.

Answer

It is always 100% reliable.

Answer

It is not legally admissible in court.

Answer

It can only be used to identify the offender.

Question 39

A DNA profile is defined as:

Accepted Answer

A distinct pattern of DNA fragments

Answer

A fingerprint

Answer

The sequence of all the genes in a cell

Answer

A person's genetic code

Question 40

Which of the following techniques is used to separate DNA fragments?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

PCR

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

RFLP

Question 41

An ethical implication of using DNA databases in criminal investigations is:

Accepted Answer

Possible discrimination or privacy breaches.

Answer

It has no ethical implications.

Answer

It always leads to accurate convictions.

Question 42

A potential future application of DNA analysis is:

Accepted Answer

Personalized medicine

Answer

Time travel

Answer

Creating designer babies

Answer

Predicting the weather

Question 43

The significance of CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) is that it:

Accepted Answer

Serves as a national DNA database for criminal investigations.

Answer

Provides ethical guidelines for using DNA evidence.

Answer

Is a метод for sequencing DNA.

Question 44

Which enzyme is primarily responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands during replication?

Accepted Answer

DNA polymerase

Answer

Ligase

Answer

Helicase

Answer

Primase

Question 45

What is the technique used to separate DNA fragments based on their size and charge?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

PCR

Answer

RFLP analysis

Answer

DNA sequencing

Question 46

What is a key characteristic of short tandem repeats (STRs) that makes them useful in DNA profiling?

Accepted Answer

They are highly variable in length and number of repeats, allowing for unique identification of individuals.

Answer

They are found in all DNA samples.

Answer

They code for essential proteins.

Question 47

Which of the following is an essential quality control measure in DNA analysis?

Accepted Answer

Including appropriate positive and negative controls in each PCR reaction to ensure accuracy.

Answer

Performing the analysis in a sterile environment.

Answer

Using only the most expensive reagents.

Question 48

What is a fundamental difference between nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear DNA is inherited from both parents, while mitochondrial DNA is inherited exclusively from the mother.

Answer

Nuclear DNA is found in all cells, while mitochondrial DNA is only found in reproductive cells.

Question 49

What is the primary purpose of a DNA database?

Accepted Answer

To store and compare DNA profiles for identification purposes, linking individuals to crimes or establishing familial relationships.

Answer

To provide genetic counseling to individuals.

Answer

To develop new DNA analysis techniques.

Question 50

Which of the following is a potential ethical concern associated with the use of DNA analysis in criminal investigations?

Accepted Answer

The potential misuse of genetic information for discriminatory purposes.

Answer

The cost of DNA analysis.

Answer

The accuracy of DNA analysis.

Question 51

What is the primary role of a forensic scientist in DNA analysis?

Accepted Answer

To collect, analyze, and interpret DNA evidence to aid in criminal investigations.

Answer

To develop new DNA analysis methods.

Answer

To perform DNA extractions only.

Answer

To testify in court about DNA results.