Forensic Science Terminology

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key forensic terms and definitions from the lecture notes.

Autopsy

The internal and external examination of a body after death, performed to confirm or determine the cause of death and establish other pre-death conditions, such as the type of food last consumed and the time it was consumed.

Ballistics

The study of the motion of bullets and their examination for distinctive characteristics after being fired.

Blood Spatter

The pattern of blood that has struck a surface, which can provide vital information about the source of the blood, wound type, direction and speed of movement, and type of weapon used.

Bloodstain Interpretation

The interpretation of size, shape, orientation, and distribution of bloodstains on various surfaces to derive information about an event.

Bullet Track

The path of a bullet or projectile as it passes through matter, such as a body or wall.

Caliber

The diameter of the bore of a rifled firearm, usually expressed in hundredths of an inch or in millimeters (for example, a Colt 45 has a bore of .45 of an inch).

Catalyst

A substance that accelerates a chemical reaction but is not itself permanently changed by the reaction.

Composite Drawing

A sketch of a suspect produced from eyewitness descriptions of one or more persons.

Criminology

The study of criminal activity and how it is dealt with by the law.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; occurring in double-helix strands containing genetic code, present in the nucleus of every cell in higher organisms to define an individual's characteristics.

DNA Electrophoresis

The technique by which DNA fragments are placed in a gel and charged with electricity to separate them by size as part of creating a genetic profile.

DNA Profiling

The process of testing to identify DNA patterns or types to indicate parentage or to exclude or include individuals as possible sources of biological evidence.

Evidence

Anything that has been used, left, removed, altered, or contaminated during the commission of a crime or other event under investigation.

Fingerprint

The unique patterns created by skin ridges found on the palm, sides of fingers, and thumbs.

Forensic Science

The application of science to law.

Gas Chromatograph (GC)

A forensic tool used to identify the chemical makeup of substances by burning the questioned substance at high temperatures and charting the temperature at which it becomes gas.

Gene

A unit of inheritance consisting of a sequence of DNA that determines a particular characteristic in an organism.

Hemoglobin

A red blood cell protein responsible for transporting oxygen into the bloodstream and providing the red coloring of blood.

Latent Fingerprint

A fingerprint made by deposits of oils and/or perspiration, not usually visible to the human eye.

Lie Detector

Also known as "Polygraph"; a machine that charts how respiration and other bodily functions change as questions are asked of the person being tested.

Luminol

A chemical capable of detecting bloodstains diluted up to 10,000 times, used to identify blood that has been removed from a given area.

Physical Evidence

Any object that can help explain an event under investigation, establish that a crime occurred, or link a crime to a victim or perpetrator.

Point-by-Point Analysis

Analysis comparing a known object to an unknown object by breaking down photos of each into small portions and comparing respective similarities.

Ridge Characteristics

Ridge endings, bifurcations, enclosures, and other ridge details that must match in two fingerprints to establish common origin.

Serology

A technology dealing with the properties and actions of serums in blood; also known as "blood analysis".

Super Glue Fuming

Techniques used to develop latent fingerprints on non-porous surfaces by using a glue chemical that reacts with and adheres to finger oils.

Toxicology

The study of poisons and drugs and their effect on human and animal populations.

Trace Evidence

Material deposited at a crime or accident scene that can only be detected through a deliberate processing procedure, such as hairs and clothing fibers.

Trajectory

The path of a projectile.