Forensics quiz 2 stuff..

Physical Evidence

Any object that can establish that a crime has been committed or link a crime and its victim or perpetrator.

Identification

The process of determining a substance’s physical or chemical identity.

Comparison

The process of ascertaining whether two or more objects have a common origin.

Individual Characteristics

Properties of evidence that can be attributed to a common source with a high degree of certainty, such as fingerprints or DNA.

Class Characteristics

Properties of evidence that can be associated only with a group and not a single source, such as paint chips or fibers.

Forensic Databases

Computerized archives of information relating to physical evidence, like CODIS for DNA and AFIS for fingerprints.

Crime-Scene Reconstruction

The process of determining or eliminating events that occurred at a crime scene by analyzing physical evidence.

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

The study of bloodstains at a crime scene to establish the actions that led to their deposition.

Angle of Impact

The angle at which a blood droplet strikes a surface.

Area of Convergence

The point on a two-dimensional plane from which the bloodstains originated.

Area of Origin

The three-dimensional location from which the blood spatter emanated.

Spatter Pattern

Bloodstains created when blood is subjected to force and projected onto a surface.

Backspatter

Blood directed back toward the source of force.

Cast-Off Pattern

A bloodstain pattern created when blood is flung from a moving, blood-bearing object.

Transfer Stain

A bloodstain pattern created when a wet, bloody surface contacts another surface.

Patent Fingerprints

Visible impressions that can be seen without physical or chemical development.

Plastic Fingerprints

3D impressions found in substances like clay, wax, soap, or mud.

Patient Fingerprints

2D prints made by the transfer of a visible substance from a finger to a surface.

Negative Fingerprints

2D prints made by removing material from a surface.

Latent Fingerprints

Invisible 2D prints formed by the transfer of natural oils and sweat from a finger to a surface.

Porous Surfaces

Materials such as paper, cardboard, and unfinished wood that absorb fingerprint residues.

Nonporous Surfaces

Smooth materials like glass, plastic, and metal that do not absorb fingerprint residues.

Semi-porous Surfaces

Materials that are somewhat absorbent, such as magazines and glossy paper.

Chain of Custody

The documented and unbroken transfer of evidence to ensure its integrity and admissibility in court.

Crime Scene Investigation Steps

Observe, Evaluate, Interpret, Report.

Evidence Meaning and Analysis

Fingerprint results can help determine the nature of death based on their presence or absence.