Evidence Collection and Analysis

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to evidence found at crime scenes.

Visible Evidence

Evidence that can be seen by the naked eye, such as dust, dirt, or blood.

Latent Fingerprints

Fingerprints that cannot be seen by the naked eye, consisting of perspiration and oil, and which must be developed using methods like dusting with graphite powder, iodine fuming, or laser beams.

Glove Impressions

Impressions that can be compared based on CC (pattern) and IC (worn or torn areas) to match with a suspect's gloves.

Shoe Prints

Impressions that can indicate height, weight, injuries sustained, walking vs. running, and whether the suspect was carrying, pushing, or dragging anything.

Tire Impressions

Impressions that can reveal the type of tires, make of the car, and direction headed.

Blood Types

Class characteristics shared among people.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)

Helps determine characteristics like height, hair color, weight, and eye color. Comparing DNA of suspects with DNA found at a crime scene can lead to a match (same person, was at crime scene) or no match (different people, was not at crime scene).

Chain of Custody

A witnessed, written record of all the people who had control over the items of evidence, including who had contact, date and time handled, circumstances under which it was handled, and any changes made to evidence.

Evidence Package Tag

Includes brief description of item, Police case #, Date when collected, Location of collection, Brand name, Serial # or clothing info, Name and badge # of officer who collected, Destination of item for analysis or storage.

Blood at a Crime Scene

The most common body substance found.