Forensic Science Terms

Which kind of case involves one person suing another person or company

civil case

In a civil case, who is suing who?

Person vs. person/company

which kind of case involves the government against a person who broke a law

criminal

In a criminal case, who is suing who?

The government is brining a person who broke a law

What is the threshold in criminal court?

beyond all reasonable doubt

in which type of court is the threshold “beyond all reasonable doubt”

criminal court

what is the threshold in civil court?

more likely than not

in which type of court is a threshold more likely than not?

civil court

What type of punishment is used in civil court?

monetary (fines)

In which type of court are monetary punishments the ONLY type available?

civil court

what type of punishment is used in criminal court?

Fines and/or confinement (prison, house arrest, etc).

In which type of court are fines and/or confinement the punishment?

Criminal court

in which type(s) of court could someone get a fine as a punishment?

Civil and criminal

in which type of court is the person held liable or not liable?

Civil

What is the possible verdict for a civil case?

Liable or not liable

in which type of court is the possible verdict guilty or not guilty?

criminal

what is the possible verdict for a criminal court?

Guilty or not guilty

What is the a bail???

Money that you give to the court that you get back at trial

What is a bond???

a bond is a loan for bail

Interrogation

a harsher form of an interview

interview

questions for a witness or possible suspect

What is Forensic science exactly???

The systematic study of people, things, and places involved in criminal activity

The 4th amendment

Protects from unreasonable search and seizures without probable cause

forensic anthropologist

human remains that no longer contain soft tissue

ballIstics

flying objects, generally bullets.

Chemistry

unknown substances, such as drugs

entomology

Insects and larvae

fiction ridge examination

fingerprinting

odontological

Teeth and dentistry

Pathology

Determines the cause and manner of death

Questioned documents

Handwriting, paper, and ink analysis

Serology

Blood and other bodily fluids

Toxicology

Poison and drugs present in body

Trace evidence

Small evidence

Chain of Custody

Proof that evidence hasn’t been tampered with, records how its been handled, and begins the moment a piece of evidence is picked up

5th Amendment

Self incrimination.

The 6th Amendment

Right to a speedy and public trial

Deposition

Witnesses giving a testimony under oath in front of prosecution and defense. Does not take place in a courtroom, but is recorded for the trail.

Subpoenas

Order from a judge saying that a witness has to give a testimony

Discovery

Both sides discover what the other side knows

The Jencks Act

Federal law that requires the government to disclose prior statements of its witnesses to the defense

Brady vs. Maryland

Requires prosecutors to disclose materials evidence favorable to the defendant to the defense

Testimony

Void dire/to see if you know what you’re doing

Is it ok to say “I dont know” in court

Yes

Hearsay

An out-of-court statement offered in court to prove the truth of the matter asserted