Which routine biological specimen is NOT typically taken by an investigator?

Which routine biological specimen is NOT typically taken by an investigator?

• A. Peripheral blood
• B. Urine
• C. Vitreous fluid
• D. Saliva

Answer: (D)

The correct choice indicates that saliva is not typically collected as a routine biological specimen in investigative settings. While saliva can certainly contain valuable biological information and is used in some specific cases, it does not hold the same prominence as other specimens such as peripheral blood, urine, or vitreous fluid in a forensic context. Peripheral blood is one of the most common specimens collected, as it contains a wealth of information including DNA, potential toxins, and other substances that can indicate a person’s health status at the time of death or injury. Urine is also frequently collected, particularly in cases involving drug testing and metabolic analysis, as it can reveal the presence of substances that may not be detectable in blood after a certain time frame. Vitreous fluid, found in the eyeball, is often collected during autopsy because it can provide information about the person’s electrolyte balance and help in estimating the time of death, especially in cases where decomposition has begun. Saliva, while useful in certain scenarios (especially for DNA analysis in living subjects or in some criminal investigations), is not routinely collected in forensics compared to these other specimens. The volatility of substances in saliva, as well as the difficulty in standardizing collection methods, makes it less ideal for routine analyses in most investigative

The correct choice indicates that saliva is not typically collected as a routine biological specimen in investigative settings. While saliva can certainly contain valuable biological information and is used in some specific cases, it does not hold the same prominence as other specimens such as peripheral blood, urine, or vitreous fluid in a forensic context.

Peripheral blood is one of the most common specimens collected, as it contains a wealth of information including DNA, potential toxins, and other substances that can indicate a person’s health status at the time of death or injury. Urine is also frequently collected, particularly in cases involving drug testing and metabolic analysis, as it can reveal the presence of substances that may not be detectable in blood after a certain time frame.

Vitreous fluid, found in the eyeball, is often collected during autopsy because it can provide information about the person’s electrolyte balance and help in estimating the time of death, especially in cases where decomposition has begun.

Saliva, while useful in certain scenarios (especially for DNA analysis in living subjects or in some criminal investigations), is not routinely collected in forensics compared to these other specimens. The volatility of substances in saliva, as well as the difficulty in standardizing collection methods, makes it less ideal for routine analyses in most investigative