Forensics T1 Exam Review (longer version)

Complete set of 130 vocabulary flashcards for Forensics T1 covering laboratory tools, safety protocols, legal standards, crime scene procedures, and post-mortem interval concepts.

Goal of Forensics

To apply scientific knowledge and methods to discover facts, solve crimes, and support the existing legal system.

Beaker

A laboratory container that can hold substances, can be used to heat substances, and can be used to measure.

Test Tube

A laboratory glassware container that can hold substances.

Microscope

An optical instrument that magnifies objects far too small to see with the naked eye.

Latex Gloves

Protective gear that protects hands from touching things and protects evidence from contamination.

Forceps

A laboratory tool that helps grab smaller objects.

Thermometer

A tool used to measure temperature.

Pipette

A laboratory instrument used to transfer small amounts of liquid.

Test Tube Rack

A laboratory stand that holds test tubes.

Safety Goggles

Personal protective equipment that protects eyes in the laboratory.

Magnifying Glass

A handheld tool used to magnify objects, though not as powerful as a microscope.

Petri Dish

A shallow dish used to culture (grow in a controlled manner) microorganisms and cells.

Microscope Slide

A piece of glass that holds the specimen while viewing underneath the microscope, held by stage clips.

Coverslip

A small piece that covers the top of the specimen on the microscope slide and protects the specimen.

Probe

A pointed tool used to move, separate, and pin specimens during dissection.

Graduated Cylinder

A marked cylindrical laboratory container used to measure liquids.

Eyepiece

Also called the ocular lens, the microscope component used to view the specimen.

Coarse Adjustment Knob

A microscope knob used to shift the position of the stage; not to be used with the high power lens.

Fine Adjustment Knob

A microscope knob used to fine-tune the focus of the specimen; can be used with all specimens.

Stage Clips

The metal clips used to secure the slide to the microscope stage.

Light Source

The adjustable light source on a microscope that makes the specimen observable.

Nosepiece

The rotating piece of the microscope that lets the user select a specific objective lens.

Objective Lenses

The different lenses on a microscope that vary in magnification power, ranging from $4\times$ to $40\times$ magnification on most standard models.

Low Power Lens

The lowest power objective lens on a microscope, providing $4\times$ magnification.

Medium Power Lens

The intermediate microscope objective lens providing $10\times$ magnification.

High Power Lens

The highest power magnification lens on a standard microscope, providing $40\times$ magnification; not to be used with the coarse adjustment knob.

Stage

The microscope platform that holds the slide the specimen is on, featuring a window to allow light to pass through.

Diaphragm

A rotating component on the microscope that turns to adjust the amount of light being passed through that reaches the specimen.

Compound Microscope

Any microscope that uses two or more lenses to observe the specimen.

Base

The supporting, foundational part of the microscope.

Total Magnification

The total, quantified amount of magnification of the specimen compared to the naked eye, achieved by multiplying the objective lens magnification by the eyepiece magnification ($10\times$).

Arm

The structural piece of the microscope used to hold together the base and the upper sections.

Glassware Safety

The proper safety conduct as it relates to handling laboratory glassware.

Fire Safety

The proper conduct in the laboratory as it relates to open flames.

Heat Safety

The conduct in the laboratory as it relates to safely heating objects.

Chemical Safety

The proper conduct in the laboratory as it relates to handling chemicals.

Eye and Face Safety

The approved conduct around protecting one's eyes and face in the lab.

Sharp Instrument Safety

The proper conduct surrounding the safe handling of sharp instruments in the lab.

Electrical Safety

The proper safety conduct as it relates to electrical instruments and their cords.

Animal Safety

The safety guidelines surrounding animal specimens and their cages.

Senses

The developed means of how the brain can collect information from the surrounding environment.

Memory

What the conscience can recall; not permanent, and can be sorted into long or short term based on how important the brain deems it.

Short-Term Memory

Memory that can be recalled for a few hours to weeks because the brain deems it valuable for a shorter period of time.

Long-Term Memory

Memory that can be remembered for a longer period of time, often retained through consistent use.

Observation

An objective data point of what the senses have collected.

Perception

An opinion about what the senses have collected to create an idea about the setting.

Deductive Reasoning

The method of reasoning that functions by eliminating all other possible answers first.

Frontal Lobe

The lobe of the brain associated with reasoning, planning, parts of speech, emotions, and problem solving.

Parietal Lobe

The lobe of the brain associated with movement, orientation, recognition, and perception of stimuli.

Occipital Lobe

The lobe of the brain associated with visual processing.

Temporal Lobe

The lobe of the brain associated with perception, memory, and speech.

Locard's Principle of Exchange

The principle that defines that with every interaction, there is trace evidence left depending on the intensity, length, and other circumstances surrounding the interaction.

Evidence

Something that is or would be considered valuable in a legal case.

Direct Evidence

Evidence that directly proves a fact of a case; comparatively more rare.

Circumstantial Evidence

Evidence that implies a fact of a case; far more common than direct evidence.

Individual Evidence

Evidence that implies the involvement of one specific person.

Class Evidence

Evidence that narrows the search to a group rather than a single individual.

Biological Evidence

Evidence that carries DNA, which could originate from a person or from a plant.

Physical Evidence

Evidence that carries no DNA in itself.

Consistent

Describing evidence or details that line up with all established facts.

Inconsistent

Describing evidence or details that do not line up with all established facts.

Primary Crime Scene

The specific scene where the crime occurred.

Secondary Crime Scene

The secondary scene of investigation where the original crime scene has led.

Tertiary Crime Scene

Any crime scene investigated after the second crime scene.

Spiral Search

The search method that utilizes a spiraling motion in a more open space to find evidence.

Grid Search

The most thorough search method, going over the area twice in spaced, opposite directions to form a grid.

Line Search

The search method best used for a large group that pivots around the innermost person and yells 'STOP' when evidence is found.

Quadrant/Zone Search

The search method where investigators split the crime scene into quadrants and then further into zones to search separately; suitable for larger scenes with diverse challenges.

Chain of Custody

The documentation that shows who had a piece of evidence and when, which should never be broken and dictates that packaging must never be opened along the original seal or label.

Oblique Lighting

The method of using low-angled lighting to more accurately capture a photo of hard-to-see evidence such as footprints.

Arraignment

The first court appearance after arrest where charges are read, constitutional rights are explained, and a plea is possibly entered if a trial is not to be proceeded with.

Discovery

The legal phase between arraignment and trial where both sides sift through relevant evidence to prove their side of the case.

Plea Deal

An agreement where the defendant enters a plea to end the trial, often to lessen their charges or sentence.

Trial

The legal process and chain of court appearances to prove or disprove innocence in a court of law, ending with the decision rather than the last argument.

Jury Deliberation

The private, uninterrupted session where the jury discusses the facts and formulates their official opinion on the case.

Conviction

The formal declaration of decided charges as determined by the judge and the opinion of the jury if applicable.

Appeals Process

The formal legal process of appealing the opinion or judgment of a lesser court.

Sentencing

The formal process by which a conviction is documented and a punishment is set in order for the defendant.

Frye Standard

The legal standard where a judge can determine if expert testimony and evidence are admissible in court.

Daubert Ruling

The ruling that determined that expert witnesses cannot speak outside their realm of training.

Manner of Death

The category of how someone died based upon general circumstances surrounding the incident, recorded on the death certificate.

Natural Manner of Death

A manner of death where the person died from causes such as disease, sudden health complications, or aging.

Homicidal Manner of Death

A manner of death where the person in question died from the actions of another individual with intent.

Accidental Manner of Death

A manner of death where the person died from a situation with no intent to end their life.

Suicidal Manner of Death

A manner of death where the person intentionally ended their own life.

Undetermined Manner of Death

A manner of death assigned when inconclusive evidence prevents categorization, often resolved after an autopsy is performed.

Time of Death

The exact time the victim drew their last breath, which is the legal time recorded on the death certificate.

Fresh Stage

The initial stage of decomposition where the body has not yet started major decomposition processes and temperature has not yet fully dropped.

Bloat Stage

The stage of decomposition caused by trapped gases produced by starving stomach bacteria feeding on flesh, causing bodily swelling.

Active Decay

The most active stage of decomposition, where hatched blowfly eggs and other insects consume flesh and softer tissues liquefy into the ground.

Advanced Decay

The decomposition stage where most soft tissue is gone, leaving primarily skin over bones, tougher tissues, and resistant hair.

Dry Skeleton

The final decomposition stage where all flesh, skin, and connective tissue are gone, leaving only the bones of the body.

Livor Mortis

The post-mortem process and settling of blood described as 'death color.'

Rigor Mortis

The temporary post-mortem stiffening of the body described as 'death stiffness.'

Algor Mortis

The post-mortem drop in body temperature matching the ambient environment, described as 'death temperature.'

Ambient Temperature

The background temperature surrounding the crime scene and adjacent areas.

Lividity

The pooling color of blood settling in a corpse after death, which begins forming after $2\,\text{hours}$ and becomes permanent after $8\,\text{hours}$.

Autopsy

The formal investigation of a body as evidence under suspicious circumstances to determine manner, mechanism, and cause of death.

Pathologist

A specially trained medical professional who handles post-mortem examinations to determine the manner and cause of death.

Autopsy Table

A specialized dissection table equipped with running water and a downward tilt to prevent blood from obstructing the examination.