Unit 1.1 Forensic Science Key Concepts

A set of practice flashcards covering key concepts, people, and terms from Unit 1.1 forensic science notes.

What is the Locard Exchange Principle?

Any time there is contact between two objects or people, there is an exchange of particles.

What does Mondus Operandi mean

The way someone characteristically acts or operates (e.g., a killer leaving certain marks).

What is Corpus Delicti?

The evidence necessary to prove someone guilty of a crime.

What is the Known Standard in forensic evidence?

The base standard piece of evidence whose origin is known (e.g., hair from a possible culprit used for comparison).

Who developed the classification of fingerprints by swirls, arches, and loops?

Sir Edward Henry.

Who developed anthropometry for body identification?

Alphonse Bertillon.

Who identified blood types on dried blood stains?

Leone Lattes.

Who created the basis called 'Questioned Documents'?

Albert Osborn.

Who created the Locard principle of exchange?

Edmond Locard.

Which expert applied microscopy to forensics?

Walter McCrone.

Who wrote 'Fingerprints' and argued fingerprints are unique?

Francis Henry Galton.

Who is considered the Father of Toxicology?

Mathieu J.B. Orfila.

Who is believed to be the first to utilize science in crime investigation?

Hans Gross.

Who first identified and described fingerprints BUT DIDN’T suggest they could identify individuals?

Marcello Malpighi.

Who first suggested fingerprints could identify people?

Henry Fauld.

Who classified blood types as A, B, C, D and +/-?

Karl Landsteiner.

Who created the character of Sherlock Holmes?

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Who discovered a method of DNA identification?

Sir Alec Jeffries

Who was the coroner who determined cause of death using pigs and no ashes in the mouth?

Yu Yu Ji.

What is Forensic Science?

The application of science to civic laws.

What is Criminalistics?

The application of science to physical evidence.

What is the difference between Criminalistics and Criminology?

Criminalistics applies science to evidence; Criminology studies crime behavior and the justice system.

What does a Medical Examiner do?

Examines the state of a corpse to determine time and cause of death and collects data for investigation.

What is the formula for total magnification in microscopy?

Total magnification = eyepiece magnification × objective lens magnification.

What is an Expert Witness in this context?

A criminologist may appear in court as an expert witness, providing expert testimony.