Crime Scene Investigation Fundamentals

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the fundamentals of crime scene investigation and forensic science, aiding in understanding the evolution and practices within the field.

Forensic Science

The application of scientific principles and techniques from various disciplines—such as biology, chemistry, and physics—to the investigation of crime and the evaluation of legal evidence. It encompasses the recognition, collection, preservation, and analysis of physical materials (such as DNA, fingerprints, and trace evidence) to provide objective findings that support both criminal and civil judicial proceedings.

Locard's Exchange Principle

The principle stating that whenever two objects come into contact, materials are exchanged between them.

Anthropometry

The first scientific system of identification developed by Alphonse Bertillon, based on physical measurements.

Ballistics

The study of firearms and ammunition used in crime, including the analysis of bullets.

Forensic Toxicology

The branch of forensic science that studies the effects of drugs and poisons on the human body.

Document Examination

The analysis of handwriting, signatures, and printed materials to determine authenticity.

DNA Profiling

A forensic technique used to identify individuals based on their unique DNA characteristics.

Frye Standard

A legal standard that determines the admissibility of scientific evidence based on its acceptance by the scientific community.

Daubert Standard

A legal standard that allows the admission of expert testimony based on the judge's assessment of scientific validity and relevance.

Expert Witness

An individual with specialized knowledge or expertise who is called to testify in legal proceedings.

Forensic Science

The application of scientific principles and techniques from various disciplines—such as biology, chemistry, and physics—to the investigation of crime and the evaluation of legal evidence. It encompasses the recognition, collection, preservation, and analysis of physical materials (such as DNA, fingerprints, and trace evidence) to provide objective findings that support both criminal and civil judicial proceedings.

Locard's Exchange Principle

The principle stating that whenever 2 objects come into contact, materials are exchanged between them.

Anthropometry

The 1st scientific system of identification developed by Alphonse Bertillon in 1879, based on a series of body measurements.

Ballistics

The study of firearms and ammunition used in crime, including the analysis of bullets and tool marks.

Forensic Toxicology

The branch of forensic science that studies the effects of drugs and poisons on the human body.

Document Examination

The analysis of handwriting, signatures, and printed materials to determine authenticity.

DNA Profiling

A forensic technique used to identify individuals based on their unique DNA characteristics.

Frye Standard

A legal standard established in 1923 that determines the admissibility of scientific evidence based on its "general acceptance" by the relevant scientific community.

Daubert Standard

A legal standard established in 1993 that allows the admission of expert testimony based on the judge's assessment of scientific validity, peer review, and error rates.

Expert Witness

An individual with specialized knowledge or expertise who is called to testify in legal proceedings.

Mathieu Orfila

Known as the "Father of Forensic Toxicology," he published the first scientific treatise on the detection of poisons in 1814.

Francis Galton

Conducted the first definitive study of fingerprints and developed a methodology for classifying them in 1892.

Leone Lattes

In 1915, he devised a procedure for determining the blood group of a dried bloodstain.

Calvin Goddard

A pioneer in ballistics who refined the techniques of firearms examination using the comparison microscope in the late 1920s.

Albert S. Osborn

Published "Questioned Documents" in 1910, establishing the fundamental principles of document examination.

Hans Gross

An Austrian prosecutor who wrote the first treatise describing the application of scientific disciplines to criminal investigation in 1893.

Sir Alec Jeffreys

Developed the first DNA profiling (DNA fingerprinting) test in 1984.

Edmond Locard

Founder of the Institute of Criminalistics at the University of Lyons in 1910 and creator of the exchange principle.