Forensic Practices Vocabulary Flashcards

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering key forensic practices, evidence collection rules, fiber and hair analysis, fingerprint patterns, DNA testing methods, and firearm ballistics.

Evidence Submission Rule

The rule stating that one should always avoid altering or cleaning evidence before submission.

Class Characteristics

Characteristics that place evidence into a group, such as a shoe tread design.

3R Rule

A rule stating that radial fractures form right angles on the reverse side of the glass, helping to determine the direction of force applied when glass breaks.

Red Blood Cells

Blood cells that do not contain DNA.

Fiber Categories

The three categories of fibers: natural, synthetic, and manufactured.

Hair Analysis

Forensic examination of hair that can help determine species, race, and body area, but cannot determine gender.

Pharmacist Fold

A folding method used before bagging trace evidence to prevent it from degrading or vanishing.

Soil Samples

Forensic soil evidence that may contain identifiable portions such as pollen and rocks.

Tool Marks Procedure

The correct order of handling tool marks: cast first, then do not cause additional damage.

Locard's Exchange Principle

The fundamental principle stating that every contact leaves a trace.

Gunshot Residue (GSR)

Residue generated when a firearm is discharged, which can be identified using a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Scanning Electron Microscope

A specialized microscope used to locate and identify Gunshot Residue (GSR).

Impression Evidence

The most common form of evidence found at crime scenes.

Loop Fingerprints

The fingerprint pattern type that makes up $65\%$ of fingerprints.

Whorl Fingerprints

The fingerprint pattern type that makes up $30\%$ of fingerprints.

Arch Fingerprints

The fingerprint pattern type that makes up $5\%$ of fingerprints.

Fingerprint Visibility Categories

The three types of fingerprints classified by visibility: patent (visible), latent (invisible), and plastic (3D).

Latent Prints

Invisible fingerprints that are developed chemically or physically.

STR (Short Tandem Repeats)

The primary DNA testing method used today.

Rifling

Grooves in the barrel of a firearm that create projectile spin.

Lands and Grooves

Structures in a barrel that create identifiable marks on a projectile.

Cartridge

A live round composed of primer, casing, and projectile, which does not include a cylinder gap.

Shotgun Cartridge

A type of cartridge that includes wadding (not padding).