Forensic Science Chapter 1 n 2

Chain of Custody

the documented and unbroken transfer of evidence

Circumstantial Evidence

(indirect evidence) evidence used to imply a fact but not prove it directly

Class Evidence

material that connects an individual or thing to a certain group

Direct Evidence

evidence that (if true) proves an alleged fact, such as an eyewitness account of a crime

Individual Evidence

a kind of evidence that identifies a particular person or thing

deductive reasoning

deriving the consequences from the facts using a series of logical steps

fact

a statement or assertion of information that can be verified

forensic

the application of scientific knowledge to legal questions

observation

what a person percieves using his or hers senses

opinion

personal belief founded on judgement rather than direct experience or knowledge