HOSA Forensic Science: Forensic Anthropology
Practice
Health Science Competition (CTSO)
HOSA Forensic Science — Health Science Competitive Event
HOSA Forensic Science is a two-person team competitive event that evaluates the ability to apply forensic and medical science knowledge to simulated investigations. Round 1 is a 50-question MCQ test; Round 2 requires written analysis of an autopsy or crime scene case study.
Free Practice Tests & Papers
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HOSA Forensic Science: Forensic Psychology & Psychiatry
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Exam Details & Pattern
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be an active HOSA — Future Health Professionals member (secondary, post-secondary, or collegiate level)
- Forensic Science is a team event: exactly 2 participants must register and compete together
- Must comply with the current year's HOSA Competitive Events Guidelines and HOSA dress code and academic integrity policies
Marking Scheme & Pattern
Round 1 — Objective Test50 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes; individual scores may be averaged or combined per HOSA rules
Round 2 — Case StudyTeam receives a simulated forensic case (autopsy report, crime scene data, or toxicology report); must produce a written analysis/report within the allotted time
ScoringCombined score from Round 1 (objective) + Round 2 (case study quality, accuracy, completeness)
Negative MarkingNone for Round 1
Syllabus Overview
Forensic Pathology & Death Investigation
Cause vs. manner of death (natural, accidental, homicide, suicide, undetermined), Autopsy procedures & findings, Postmortem changes (livor mortis, rigor mortis, algor mortis, decomposition), Blunt force trauma, sharp force trauma & gunshot wounds, Asphyxia (strangulation, drowning, smothering), Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Toxicology
Drug classification (stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, opioids), Toxidromes (recognizing drug effect patterns), Blood, urine & vitreous humor analysis, Drug metabolism & pharmacokinetics, Alcohol metabolism (BAC, Widmark formula, retrograde extrapolation), Poisoning (carbon monoxide, cyanide, heavy metals), Toxicological report interpretation
DNA, Serology & Genetics
DNA structure & the Central Dogma, DNA profiling (STR analysis), CODIS database & DNA comparison, Blood typing (ABO & Rh system), Serology testing (Luminol, Kastle-Meyer, precipitin tests), Chain of custody in biological evidence handling, Touch DNA & low-copy-number analysis
Forensic Anthropology & Entomology
Skeletal analysis (sex, age, stature, ancestry determination), Antemortem vs. perimortem vs. postmortem bone trauma, Postmortem interval (PMI) estimation via insect succession (blow flies, beetles), Forensic botany basics (plant growth over remains), Taphonomy
Crime Scene Investigation & Trace Evidence
Crime scene documentation (photography, sketching, notes), Evidence collection & packaging protocols, Chain of custody documentation, Fingerprint analysis (latent, patent, plastic prints; AFIS), Locard's Exchange Principle, Fiber & hair microscopy, Glass fracture analysis, Tool mark examination, Tire & shoe tread impressions
Questioned Documents & Ballistics
Handwriting analysis (comparison, forgery detection), Ink & paper analysis (ESDA, chromatography), Firearm & ammunition identification, Gunshot residue (GSR) testing, Trajectory analysis, Firearms databases (NIBIN)
Forensic Psychology & Other Applications
Criminal profiling basics (organised vs. disorganised offenders), Victimology, Eyewitness testimony reliability & cognitive biases, Forensic interviewing techniques, Digital forensics overview (metadata, device logs), Fingerprint databases & biometric identification
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HOSA Forensic Science an individual or team event?
HOSA Forensic Science is strictly a team event with exactly two participants per team. Both members collaborate on the Round 2 written case study analysis. Round 1 objective test performance contributes to the overall team score.
What topics should I prioritise for the Round 1 objective test?
Focus heavily on forensic pathology (cause & manner of death, PMI), toxicology (drug metabolism, BAC calculations), DNA/serology analysis, and crime scene investigation procedures. These areas tend to have the highest question density in HOSA Forensic Science tests.
Where can I find official study materials for HOSA Forensic Science?
The official HOSA Competitive Events Guidelines (released annually at hosa.org) list the topic areas and recommended references. Common references include forensic science textbooks by Richard Saferstein ('Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science') and Henry Lee, as well as HOSA's own practice resources.
