Criminalistics and Personal Identification Techniques

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental terms, key pioneers, principles, and physical movement identification techniques in criminalistics.

Criminalistics

The branch of forensic science that deals with physical evidence that has to be collected, preserved, examined, and compared in order to serve the end of justice, applying principles of various sciences to solve problems in criminal matters.

Forensic Science

The application of principles of various sciences to law, consisting of a course or group of subjects that give light to legal issues.

Forum

The Latin word from which 'forensic' was derived, meaning a 'market place' or a place where people gather for 'public discussion'.

Dr. Hans Gross

An Austrian magistrate known as the Father of Modern Criminalistics who described the 'Search for Truth' as the ultimate goal of all investigative and detective works and advocated for scientific crime investigation.

Dr. Paul Kirk

The Father of Criminalistics in the United States.

August Vollmer

The head of the First Comprehensive Crime Laboratory in the U.S., established in Los Angeles.

Edmond Locard

The scientist who stated the Locard Exchange Principle and established the first practical crime laboratory in France.

Locard Exchange Principle

The principle stating that in every crime scene there leaves traces that would lead to the identity of its author.

Law of Multiplicity of Evidence

The principle stating that the greater the number of similarities and dissimilarities, the greater is the probability for the conclusion to be correct.

Comparison

The process of using a standard specimen to compare evidence under question in order to effect identification.

Exclusion

A process of elimination where if two or more persons have to be identified and all but one is not yet identified, the one whose identity has not been established may be known.

Gait

Refers to the manner of walking or moving on foot.

Gait Line

The straight line connecting the center of succeeding steps, measured from heel to heel.

Foot Line

The longitudinal line drawn on each foot mark.

Ataxic Gait

A gait in which the foot is raised high, thrown forward, and brought down suddenly.

Cerebellar Gait

A gait associated with staggering movement.

Cow's Gait

A swaying movement during walking due to knock-knee.

Paretic Gait

A gait in which the steps are short, the feet are dragged, and the legs are held more or less widely apart.

Spastic Gait

A gait in which the legs are held together and move in a stiff manner, causing the toes to drag and catch.

Waddling Gait

A manner of walking resembling a duck.

Frog Gait

A hopping gait seen in infantile paralysis.

Mannerisms

Characteristic movements of the body peculiar to individual persons, such as ways of sitting or movements of the hands, body, or facial muscles.