Forensics

what does DNA stand for

deoxyribonucleic acid

what is the shape of DNA

double helix

def of ballistics

the study of bullets and firearms

def of internal ballistics

the behavior of a projectile within a gun barrel (what happens in the gun)

def of external ballistics

the motion of a projectile in flight (what happens from the time the projectile leaves the weapon and hits the target)

def of terminal ballistics

the effect of the projectile on its target

def of firearm

a weapon capable of firing a projectile using a confined explosive as a projectile

def of barrel in a firearm

long, metal tube that guides a projectile out of a firearm

def of bore in a firearm

inside diameter of a firearm barrel

def of breech in a firearm

end of the barrel attached to the firing mechanism of firearm; where cartridge is loaded and unloaded

def of grooves in a firearm

depression on inside of the barrel that are created when firearm is manufactured

def of lands in a firearm

ridges on inside of barrel that are created during manufacturing

def of muzzle in a firearm

end of the barrel from which the projectile exits the firearm

def of cartridge

a case that hold the bullet

def of bullet in cartridge

composed of lead or combos of various metals

def of primer powder in cartridge

mixture that ignites a small explosion that pushes the bullet down the barrel

def of headstamp in cartridge

on bottom of the cartridge, identifies the caliber size and manufacturer

def of death

the cessation or end of life

def of manner of death

means of which they die (category)

def of cause of death

the reason they died

def of mechanism of death

specific body failure (anatomically)

def of time of death

when the person died

what is the job of DNA

to store genetic information

what does guanine always pair up with

cytosine

what does adenine always pair up with

thymine

what are the 5 ways the manner of death can appear

1. natural - due to old age

2. accidental - unplanned event

3. suicidal

4. homicidal - death by another individual

5. undetermined

def of autopsies

highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present

what are deaths that require an autopsy

1. homicide

2. children

3. unusual deaths

who preforms autopsies

pathologist + medical examiners

(for smaller counties use coroners)

steps of a forensic autopsy

1. body is received in a body bag

2. bag is sealed

3. evidence collected off of the body externally

4. body is removed from the bag

5. body is cleaned, weighed, and measured

6. all identifying features are notes

7. bodily fluids are withdrawn (blood, urine, ect)

8. internal examination starts

   1. y shaped incision (shoulder to shoulder meeting at breast bone, exposing ribcage and goes all the way down to pubic bone

9. peel back skin, muscle and soft tissue using a scalpel

   1. Pull skin over face to expose organs

10. two cuts are made on ribcage and ribcage is removed

11. organs are exposed and cuts are made to detach the organs

12. cut all the way around the skull (ear to ear)

    1. flaps over the patients face

    2. skull is cut with electric saw

13. organs are put back and body is sewed back together

what are the 4 post-mortem stages after death

1. pallor mortis

2. algor mortis

3. rigor mortis

4. livor mortis

what are the four stanges of decomposition

1. fresh/ initial decay

2. bloat

3. active decay

4. advanced decay

5. dry remains

what is pallor mortis

increased paleness due to death of blood circulation

what is algor mortis

heat death (loss of temp)

what is rigor mortis

stiffness

what is livor mortis

changes of color

what is fresh/ initial decay

*timing, looks, and entomology

• 0-3 days

• livor, rigor, and algor mortis occur

• blowflies (lay eggs on corpse not eating the body)

what is fresh/ bloat decay

*timing, looks, and entomology

• 4-10 days

• bloated appearance and strong odor

• skin turns green and skin can break apart to release fluids

• blowflies, flesh flies, and maggots (still not eating body)

what is active decay

*timing, looks, and entomology

• 10-20 days

• great loss in mass

• stronger odor

• end of stage is marked by dispersal of maggots

• blowflies, flesh flies, maggots, and parasitic wasp (wasp are eating everything but the body)

what is advanced decay

*timing, looks, and entomology

• 20-50 days

• body begins to dry and preserve itself

• most flesh is gone

• rover beetles enter (beetles consuming the body)

what is dry remains

*timing, looks, and entomology

• 50 days - 1 yr

• loss of everything except dried up bone

• moths and mites are eating at body

def of anthropology

the study of human remains that involves application to legal cases

def of serial killer

commits 3+ crimes over an extended period of time with cooling off periods in between

• in between they seem normal

def of mass murderer

a person who killed a large amount of people, typically at the same time in a single location

what classifies an organized killer

• intelligent, planned murder

• kill in one place, dispose in another

• lure victims by appealing to human nature

• choose a victim to hunt

• cover tracks

• follow media

• often have close friends, spouses, and kids

what classifies a disorganized killer

• lower intelligence, impulsive, unplanned murder

• rarely dispose of body or cover tracks

• socially inadequate with few friends and often have mental problems

what classifies a ‘nature’ killer

born with traits already decided

born bad

what classifies a nurture killer

environment makes up personality

made bad

def of sociopath

someone who is affected with personality disorder marked by antisocial behavior

nurture

def of psychopath

person with an antisocial personality disorder, manifested in aggressive, perversive, criminal, or amoral behavior without remorse or empathy

nature

what is the database called for ballistics and meaning

NIBIN

national integrated ballistics information network

how are weapons collected for ballistic evidence

• gun must be unloaded

• avoid excess handing (avoid destroying prints)

• record serial number

• make model

• collect caliber of weapon

how are bullets and castings collected for ballistic evidence

• wrapped in paper and sealed in separate boxes and envelopes

• bullets recovered from a body are air dried and wrapped in paper

how is gun shot residue get collected for ballistic evidence

• extremely fragile

• collected asap (3 hours within discharge of the weapon)

what is the adult dentition formula

2123

what is the subadult dentition formula

2102

what is the purpose of osteoblasts

cells that create new bone and add growth to existing bone

what is the purpose of osteoclasts

cells that dissolve old and damaged bone

to be replaced with old bone using osteoblasts