forensic science ch 1-3

Antemortem

referring to the time before death, often used in forensic contexts to describe injuries or conditions observed prior to a person's death.

AFIS

Automated Fingerprint Identification System used to store and analyze fingerprint data.

Certification

the process of verifying an individual's qualifications and competence to perform specific forensic tasks or roles.

Classification

the process of organizing and categorizing forensic evidence and data based on specific criteria or characteristics.

Codis

Combined DNA Index System, a database used for matching DNA profiles in criminal investigations.

Coroner

an official who investigates deaths, especially those happening under unusual or suspicious circumstances.

Corpus deliciti

establish basic legal elements of a crime; the body of the crime, referring to the evidence that a crime has occurred, including the injury or death of a victim.

Criminalisitics

the study and evaluation of physical evidence in criminal investigations, such as fingerprints, hair, and fibers.

Forensic Science

the application of scientific principles and techniques to investigate crimes and analyze evidence.

Medical Examiner

a physician who investigates deaths, particularly those occurring under unusual or suspicious circumstances, and determines the cause of death.

Medico-legal

relating to the intersection of medicine and law, often concerning the investigation and assessment of injuries and deaths in legal contexts.

Modus operandi

the characteristic method or pattern of behavior used by an offender.

NIBIN

National Integrated Ballistic Information Network - A national database that allows law enforcement agencies to compare ballistic evidence such as bullets and cartridge cases in criminal investigations.

Pathology

the study of the causes and effects of diseases, particularly in relation to autopsies and criminal investigations.

Perimortem

refers to the period surrounding death, particularly in forensic contexts where determining the time of death is crucial.

Postmortem

referring to the examination and analysis of a body after death, often to determine the cause of death and collect evidence in forensic investigations.

Cold Case

The application of scientific analysis to older, unsolved criminal cases to uncover new leads or evidence that was unavailable at the time of the original investigation

Daubert Evidence Rule

allows experts to testify based on the reliability and relevance of their testimony - judges are gatekeepers

Deposit

Transfer of material in an indirect manner and can be made up of large quantities of material, such as blood or paint, traveling through the air and splattering onto a surface, or be small quantities of small particles like dust

Exclusion

A result that demonstrates a known individual's DNA or other characteristics do not match the evidence sample

Expert Witness

A legally qualified individual with specialized knowledge, skill, training, or experience

Frye Evidence Rule

requires the evidence to be ‘generally acceptable’ by the scientific community in order to meet its criteria

Imprint

produced when an object comes into contact with a hard surface and leaves a 2D representation of itself

Indentation

produced when an object comes into contact with a soft surface creating a 3D mark.

Known (K)

Reference sample with a confirmed origin, collected from a known individual, location, or object

Locard’s Exchange Principle

‘When two objects come in contact, there will always be a transfer of material.’ Remember that one may not always find transferred material

Probable Cause

A reasonable belief grounded on facts

Questioned (Q)

This is a sample that may be linked to a crime and whose origin is uncertain

Stritation

a result of a hard surface coming in contact with an object in motion (tool) creating an individual marking along the surface.

Trier of Fact

person or group in a legal proceeding responsible for determining what actually happened in a case by evaluating the evidence presented and drawing factual conclusions. In a jury trial, the jury serves as the trier of fact, while in a bench trial or administrative hearing, the judge or an administrative official acts as the trier of fact. 

Contracting or Expanding Spiral Search

method of going in a spiral to search the crime scene and only applicable to few specific locations

Crime Scene Photography

main purpose is to document the crime scene in its original and untouched state and shows process of evidence recovery and has two aspects: technical and forensic

Cross-Projection Sketch

sketch used to show three-dimensional character and features, and most easily envisioned using a rectangular room as the scene but can be used to show the location of bullet holes or blood patterns on walls/ceiling

Depth of Field

distance between the nearest and farthest points at which the screen image is in reasonably sharp focus.

Druggist Fold

Method of packaging evidence for small items, particles, and objects by folding a piece of paper so it forms a leak-proof container, and can also be used to hold fibers or hairs

F-Stop

camera setting that determines the amount of light passing through the lens by controlling the size of the iris

Line or Strip Search

search method used by one or two investigators by walking in straight lines across the crime scene and can be used anywhere, but most used in places without good visibility

Notes

Notes are taken about everything at the scene and all observations and actions made are often basis for a more formal report later because small details can become important

Sketches

Sketches show the exact locations of all the buildings, streets, permanent fixtures, furniture, physical evidences, etc

Videography

used to monitor or document scenes

Zone or Quadrant Search

method in which the crime scene is divided into smaller sections and team members are assigned to search each section and ideal for indoor or vehicle searches