Forensic Science Vocabulary Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering key forensic science concepts including dactyloscopy, forensic ballistics, questioned documents, polygraphy, and forensic photography.

Golden Standard of Physical Identification

Fingerprint analysis, recognized as the primary standard for personal identification.

Exposure Triangle

The three main camera settings—Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO—that control how much light enters the camera.

Close-Up View Photography

The taking of individual photographs of evidence at the scene of the crime.

Photomicrography

The process of taking a magnified photograph of a minute object by attaching a camera to a microscope.

Photomacrography

The process of taking an enlarged photograph of a small object using a macro lens attached to a camera.

Microphotography

The process of reducing a photographic image onto a film strip.

Telephotography

The technique of taking photographs of far-distance objects.

Newton's Third Law of Motion

The physical law stating that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, which explains the mechanism of firearm recoil.

Field Sobriety Tests

Standardized tests used to initially assess intoxication, consisting of the eye test (horizontal gaze nystagmus), the walk-and-turn, and the one-leg stand.

Bifurcation

A friction ridge detail where a single ridge line splits into two separate branches.

Principle of Permanency

The fingerprint principle stating that once friction ridge patterns are fully developed, they remain unchanged throughout an individual's life.

Somatic Death

A complete, continuous, and persistent cessation of respiration, circulation, and almost all brain function of an organism.

Helixometer

A specialized instrument used in forensic ballistics to measure the pitch or rate of twist of rifling inside a firearm barrel.

Pen Lift

An interruption in writing strokes caused by removing the writing instrument from the paper surface.

Pneumograph

A polygraph component featuring corrugated rubber tubes fastened to the chest and abdomen to record changes in respiration.

Cardiosphygmograph

A polygraph component used to record cardiovascular activity, including heart rate and blood pressure changes.

Galvanograph

A polygraph component that measures changes in skin resistance and electrodermal activity.

Kymograph

The component of a polygraph instrument that controls and drives the chart paper.

Asymmetric Serial Number

A security feature on Philippine banknotes consisting of alphanumeric characters at the lower left and upper right corners that increase in size and thickness.

Security Fiber

Visible red and blue fibers embedded into paper and randomly scattered on banknotes to prevent counterfeiting.

Maximum Range

The farthest absolute distance a bullet or projectile can travel when fired from a firearm.

Effective Range

The distance within which a fired bullet maintains sufficient energy to be capable of inflicting a fatal injury.

Juxtaposition

The act or instance of placing two specimens side by side for direct comparison under a comparison microscope.

Furrows

The tiny depressions or canals between friction ridges that appear as white lines in an inked fingerprint impression.

ACE-V Methodology

The standardized four-step fingerprint examination process standing for Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, and Verification.

Black Powder Composition

A low explosive mixture composed of $75\%$ potassium nitrate, $15\%$ charcoal, and $10\%$ sulfur.

Left Loop Pattern

A fingerprint pattern type characterized by loop ridges slanting toward the left side.

Ejector Mark

A tool mark produced on the head or rim of a cartridge case when struck by the ejector to remove it from the firearm.

Comparison Microscope

An optical device consisting of two microscopes connected by a bridge, allowing side-by-side comparative analysis of bullets or cartridge cases.