Forensic Chemistry and History of Forensic Science

Vocabulary flashcards covering core definitions, historical milestones, pioneers, and forensic disciplines.

Forensics (Etymology)

Derived from the Latin word 'forensis', which literally means to have a debate or argument in public.

Forensic Analysis

Analysis of information suitable for use in a court of law.

Forensic Sciences

The application of scientific methods and techniques to law and criminal justice.

Forensic Chemistry

Applied analytical chemistry that investigates physical evidence related to a crime.

Forensic Medicine

The use of medicine to determine the cause or time of death, or for other legal purposes.

Forensic Dentistry / Odontology

The proper handling, examination, and evaluation of dental evidence, studying teeth and bite marks for the purpose of obtaining criminal evidence.

Forensic Entomology

The use of insects to date the time of death.

Forensic Psychiatry

The study of a criminal's mental state and probable intent.

Forensic Serology

The detection of blood or semen stains.

Computer Forensics

The detection of electronic frauds.

Facial Reconstruction

Reshaping the faces of victims from their found skulls.

Forensic Engineering

The forensic discipline focusing on building or machinery collapse.

Criminology

A theoretical practice seeking to understand the cause of crime and studying criminal behavior in the context of societal impacts and responses.

Locard Exchange Principle

The basic principle of forensic science stating that when a criminal comes in contact with an object or a person, a cross transfer of evidence occurs.

Sung Tzu

Author of 'The Art of War' who solved a murder in 1235 using flies attracted to blood on a sickle, and wrote a book distinguishing between drowning and strangulation.

Alphonse Bertillon

French police officer who introduced a biometric record system of identification in 1879 and standardized the mug shot.

Mug Shot

A photographic portrait of a person from the shoulders up, typically taken after a person is arrested.

Francis Galton

Developed the scientific classification of fingerprints in 1892.

Edward Henry

Developed a system of matching fingerprints to identify people in 1896, which was adopted by Scotland Yard in 1900.

Leone Lattes

Forensic scientist who specialized in blood groups (ABO) and serology in 1915.

Calvin Goddard

Pioneer in matching ballistics and casings to firearms in 1929 who introduced the comparison microscope for bullet examination.

John Larson

Built the first lie detector machine in the USA in 1921.

Albert S. Osborn

Introduced the document examination system in 1929.

Hans Gross

Introduced the foundation of criminology.

Jeffries

Developed genetic profiling using DNA in 1984.

Zacharias Janssen

Dutch inventor who developed the microscope in 1590.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek

Dutch scientist who created the first powerful microscope in 1670.

Marcello Malpighi

Italian doctor born in 1628 who studied patterns of skin on fingers.

Allan Pinkerton

Set up the first private detective agency in 1850.

Edmond Locard

Opened the first forensic laboratory in France in 1910.

Crime Scene Technician

A specialist who only processes evidence at a crime scene without conducting criminal investigations or laboratory analysis.

Suspect

‏مشتبه بهم

Criminal

‏مجرم

George Eastman

In 1888infested handhold camera