Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, 11e

This set of flashcards covers key terminology and concepts from the lecture notes on forensic science.

Crime Scene

The location where a crime has occurred, containing physical evidence.

Physical Evidence

Objects that can establish that a crime has or has not been committed.

Chain of Custody

A list of all persons who came into possession of an item of evidence.

Digital Photography

A method of capturing images using a light-sensitive microchip to store them as files.

Sketching the Crime Scene

The process of creating a visual representation of the layout and significant features of a crime scene.

Types of Physical Evidence

Blood, semen, saliva, documents, drugs, fingerprints, firearms, and other substances relevant to a crime.

Search and Seizure Protocols

Legal guidelines for removing evidence from individuals or crime scenes.

Class Characteristics

Evidence associated only with a group rather than an individual.

Individual Characteristics

Evidence that can be traced to a single source, often with a high degree of probability.

Videotaping Crime Scenes

Using video to document a crime scene while ensuring clear audio quality.