UPSSSC Advt 15-Exam/2026 — Forensic Science carries 25 questions (25 marks) in the Main Written Exam — the highest weightage in the Subject Related Knowledge section. This practice set covers all major topics: Crime Scene Investigation, Fingerprint Analysis, Ballistics, Toxicology, Serology, DNA Analysis, Questioned Documents, and Cyber Forensics. Each question is at B.Sc. graduate level. Answer key at the bottom.
Forensic Science Weightage in UPSSSC Forensic Science Laboratory Exam
| Section Component | Questions | Marks | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forensic Science (Part-1) | 25 | 25 | 25% |
| Physics + Chemistry + Biology + Maths (Part-1) | 40 | 40 | 40% |
| Computer & IT Concepts (Part-2) | 15 | 15 | 15% |
| UP General Knowledge (Part-3) | 20 | 20 | 20% |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 100% |
Forensic Science alone accounts for one-fourth of the entire exam. Scoring well here is critical for a high rank.
25 MCQs in Forensic Science
Topic 1: Crime Scene Investigation (5 Questions)
1. Which of the following is the correct sequence for processing a crime scene?
- Collection → Documentation → Analysis → Reconstruction
- Documentation → Collection → Analysis → Reconstruction
- Documentation → Collection → Reconstruction → Analysis
- Analysis → Documentation → Collection → Reconstruction
2. The Locard's Exchange Principle states that:
- Every crime scene has a unique signature
- Every contact leaves a trace
- Evidence degrades at a fixed rate
- Physical evidence is always transferable
3. Which type of evidence requires the most careful packaging to prevent contamination for DNA analysis?
- Glass fragments
- Biological evidence (blood, semen, saliva)
- Fibre samples
- Paint chips
4. What is the primary purpose of a control sample at a crime scene?
- To test the forensic equipment
- To compare with the questioned sample to determine its origin
- To preserve evidence for court
- To calibrate laboratory instruments
5. Which of the following is NOT a method of crime scene documentation?
- Photography
- Sketching
- Note-taking
- Witness interrogation
Topic 2: Fingerprint Analysis (4 Questions)
6. Which of the following is a characteristic of a loop fingerprint pattern?
- It has no delta
- It has one delta and a core
- It has two deltas
- It has three deltas
7. The Henry Classification System is used for:
- Classifying blood groups
- Classifying fingerprint patterns
- Classifying firearms
- Classifying handwriting characteristics
8. Which fingerprint powder is most suitable for use on dark-coloured surfaces?
- Black powder (carbon-based)
- Grey powder (aluminium-based)
- White powder (titanium dioxide-based)
- Magnetic powder (iron-based)
9. Ninhydrin is used to develop latent fingerprints on:
- Non-porous surfaces like glass
- Porous surfaces like paper
- Metallic surfaces
- Wet surfaces
Topic 3: Forensic Ballistics (4 Questions)
10. The science that studies the motion of projectiles is called:
- Ballistics
- Trajectory
- Aerodynamics
- Forensic Physics
11. The unique markings on a bullet fired from a rifled barrel are called:
- Class characteristics
- Striations (individual characteristics)
- Calibre marks
- Gunshot residues
12. What is the most common test for detecting gunshot residue (GSR) on hands?
- FTIR Spectroscopy
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDX)
- Gas Chromatography
- Thin Layer Chromatography
13. The term 'calibre' of a firearm refers to:
- The length of the barrel
- The internal diameter of the barrel
- The number of bullets it can hold
- The firing mechanism type
Topic 4: Forensic Toxicology (4 Questions)
14. Marsh's test is used to detect which poison?
- Cyanide
- Strychnine
- Arsenic
- Mercury
15. The chain of custody in forensic toxicology refers to:
- The sequence of chemical tests performed
- The documented chronological history of evidence handling
- The metabolic pathway of a toxin in the body
- The classification schedule of controlled substances
16. Which biological sample is most commonly used for post-mortem toxicological analysis?
- Saliva
- Blood
- Hair
- Nail clippings
17. The lethal concentration of a substance is denoted as:
- LD50
- EC50
- LC50
- IC50
Topic 5: Forensic Serology & DNA Analysis (4 Questions)
18. The confirmatory test for blood is based on the detection of:
- Haemoglobin
- Haemoglobin crystallisation (Takayama test / Teichmann test)
- RBC count
- Blood group antigens
19. STR (Short Tandem Repeat) analysis is used in forensic science for:
- Determining blood group
- DNA profiling and individual identification
- Detecting poisons in blood
- Classifying firearm ammunition
20. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in DNA analysis is used to:
- Separate DNA fragments by size
- Amplify specific DNA sequences
- Sequence the entire genome
- Visualise DNA bands under UV light
Topic 6: Questioned Documents (2 Questions)
21. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic examined in handwriting analysis?
- Letter spacing
- Pen pressure
- Chemical composition of ink
- Slope and alignment
22. Indented writing on a page below the original can be visualised using:
- UV light
- Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA)
- Magnifying glass
- Chemical reagents
Topic 7: Cyber Forensics (2 Questions)
23. The process of making deleted files recoverable from a storage device is called:
- Data encryption
- Data compression
- Data recovery / file carving
- Data masking
24. A forensic copy of a hard drive that captures every bit including deleted files and unallocated space is called a:
- Logical copy
- Bit-stream image (forensic image)
- Backup file
- Compressed archive
25. Which of the following is the primary goal of cyber forensics?
- To hack into systems
- To preserve and analyse digital evidence in a forensically sound manner
- To recover lost passwords
- To monitor network traffic
Answer Key
| Q No. | Answer | Topic | Q No. | Answer | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Documentation → Collection → Reconstruction → Analysis | Crime Scene | 14 | Arsenic | Toxicology |
| 2 | Every contact leaves a trace | Crime Scene | 15 | Documented chronological history of evidence handling | Toxicology |
| 3 | Biological evidence (blood, semen, saliva) | Crime Scene | 16 | Blood | Toxicology |
| 4 | To compare with the questioned sample | Crime Scene | 17 | LC50 | Toxicology |
| 5 | Witness interrogation | Crime Scene | 18 | Haemoglobin crystallisation test | Serology |
| 6 | One delta and a core | Fingerprint | 19 | DNA profiling and individual identification | DNA Analysis |
| 7 | Classifying fingerprint patterns | Fingerprint | 20 | Amplify specific DNA sequences | DNA Analysis |
| 8 | White powder (titanium dioxide) | Fingerprint | 21 | Chemical composition of ink | Documents |
| 9 | Porous surfaces like paper | Fingerprint | 22 | ESDA | Documents |
| 10 | Ballistics | Ballistics | 23 | Data recovery / file carving | Cyber |
| 11 | Striations (individual characteristics) | Ballistics | 24 | Bit-stream image (forensic image) | Cyber |
| 12 | Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDX) | Ballistics | 25 | Preserve and analyse digital evidence | Cyber |
| 13 | Internal diameter of the barrel | Ballistics |
Topic-Wise Performance Tracker
Use this table to identify your weak areas:
| Topic | Questions | Correct | Incorrect | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crime Scene Investigation | Q1–Q5 (5) | —/5 | —/5 | —/5 |
| Fingerprint Analysis | Q6–Q9 (4) | —/4 | —/4 | —/4 |
| Forensic Ballistics | Q10–Q13 (4) | —/4 | —/4 | —/4 |
| Forensic Toxicology | Q14–Q17 (4) | —/4 | —/4 | —/4 |
| Serology & DNA Analysis | Q18–Q20 (4) | —/4 | —/4 | —/4 |
| Questioned Documents | Q21–Q22 (2) | —/2 | —/2 | —/2 |
| Cyber Forensics | Q23–Q25 (2) | —/2 | —/2 | —/2 |
| Total (25 Questions) | 25 | —/25 | —/25 | —/25 |
Common Exam Traps in Forensic Science
Trap 1: Crime Scene Sequence
Trap: "Collection comes before Documentation" Truth: The correct sequence is Documentation → Collection → Reconstruction → Analysis. Documentation (photography, sketching, notes) must happen before any evidence is collected.
Trap 2: Fingerprint Terminologies
Trap: Confusing 'class characteristics' with 'individual characteristics' Truth: Class characteristics are common to a group (e.g., loop pattern). Individual characteristics (e.g., minutiae points, ridge details) are unique to each individual.
Trap 3: Confirmatory vs Presumptive Tests
Trap: Thinking presumptive tests are conclusive Truth: Presumptive tests (e.g., Kastle-Meyer for blood) are screening tools. Confirmatory tests (e.g., Takayama crystal test, DNA analysis) are needed for conclusive identification.
Trap 4: PCR vs Electrophoresis
Trap: Confusing PCR (amplification of DNA) with gel electrophoresis (separation of DNA fragments by size) Truth: PCR amplifies DNA; gel electrophoresis separates the amplified products. Both are used in STR analysis.
Trap 5: Ballistics — Calibre vs Gauge
Trap: Using 'calibre' for both rifled firearms and shotguns Truth: 'Calibre' refers to the barrel diameter of rifled firearms. For shotguns, the term 'gauge' is used.
How to Use This Practice Set
| Step | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Attempt all 25 questions without looking at the answer key | Simulate actual exam conditions |
| 2 | Mark your answers and time yourself (max 30 minutes for 25 questions) | Build speed and accuracy |
| 3 | Check the answer key and calculate your score | Identify weak topics |
| 4 | For incorrect answers, revisit the corresponding topic in the syllabus | Targeted revision |
| 5 | Re-attempt the set after 48 hours | Reinforce learning |
Next Steps for Preparation
| Resource | Purpose |
|---|---|
| UPSSSC FSL Syllabus Breakdown | Complete subject-wise syllabus with Hindi terminology |
| Selection Process & Salary | Understand exam pattern, marking scheme, and career growth |
| Expected PET Cutoff 2026 | Check your shortlisting chances based on PET-2025 score |
| All-in-One Score Calculator | Calculate your exam score with negative marking |
Bookmark this page for regular updates and more practice sets. For the latest UPSSSC FSL exam preparation resources, visit ExamRankCheck regularly.
Also check our UPSSSC FSL Syllabus Breakdown for the complete subject-wise syllabus and All-in-One Score Calculator for exam score calculation.