CSI unit 1

Forensic Science

The examination of physical evidence.

Evidence

Anything that tends to establish or disprove a fact.

Ballistics

The science that deals with the motion, behavior, and effects of projectiles.

Toxicology

The study of drugs and poisons.

Polygraphs

Lie detector tests.

Anthropology

The study of the human skeleton.

Psychiatry

The study and treatment of mental disorders.

Odontology

The study of bite marks and dental identification.

Pathology

The study of sudden, unexplained, or violent death, often related to disease.

Entomology

The study of insects.

Palynology

The study of pollen and spores.

Polygraphy

Another term for 'lie detector'; not admissible in court.

The Locard Principle

With contact between two items, there will be an exchange.

Statutory Law

Legislative acts declaring, commanding, or prohibiting something.

Case Law

The body of law made up of judicial opinions and precedents.

Stare decisis

To stand by the decision; meaning previous legal decisions are to be followed.

Civil Law

Law that deals with noncriminal suits brought to protect or preserve a civil or private right.

Criminal Law

Regulation and enforcement of rights, setting the acceptable limits of conduct in society.

Misdemeanor

A minor crime, less than a felony, usually punished with a fine or confinement other than in prison.

Felony

A serious crime, such as murder, punishable by more than one year of imprisonment up to execution.

Probative Value

The ability of evidence to prove something that is material to a crime.

Material

Relevant and significant.

Probable Cause

A situation in which a reasonable and prudent person, viewing the available info., would conclude that a crime has been committed and that a suspect committed it.

Violation

A breach of right duty, or law.

Infraction

Violation of a rule or law that is not punishable by prison.

Elements

The specific factors or parts of a crime.

Booking

A police procedure following an arrest that records basic info. about the suspect, a photo, and fingerprints.

Miranda rights

Rights guaranteed by the constitution that police must inform arrestees about, especially the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.

Arraignment

The first act in a criminal proceeding, where the defendant is brought before the court to hear charges and enter a plea.

Bail

Money that guarantees the defendant will appear in court.

Nolo contendere

No contest; not a confession but punished as though guilty.

Preliminary hearing

A hearing before a judge to determine if the suspect should be held for trial.

Grand jury

A group of people sworn to inquire about a crime and possibly accuse.

Indict

To formally accuse.

Plea bargain

An agreement where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge to avoid the cost and time of trial.

MMO

Motive, Means, and Opportunity; must be established to prove guilt.

Material witness

A witness who has information about the subject of a case.

Hearsay

Testimony given by what others say; not admissible in court.

Expert

A specialist in a certain area.

Frye standard

Evidence only admissible if 'sufficiently established'.

Daubert Ruling

A revision of the Frye standard, incorporating the scientific method.

Testimonial Evidence

What is said in court by a competent witness; also called direct evidence or prima facie evidence.

Competent

Having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something successfully.

Physical Evidence

Tangible items that tend to prove some material fact; also called real evidence, indirect evidence, or circumstantial evidence.

Transient evidence

Temporary evidence that is easily changed or lost; usually observed by the first officer at the scene.

Pattern evidence

Evidence produced by direct contact between a person and an object or between two objects.

Conditional evidence

Evidence produced by a specific event or action; important in crime scene reconstruction.

Transfer evidence

Evidence produced by contact between person(s) and object(s), or between person(s) and person(s).

Associative evidence

Evidence that may associate a victim or suspect with a scene or with each other; e.g., personal belongings.

Class evidence

Evidence that connects with a group of things or people.

Individual evidence

Evidence that connects to one specific thing or person.

Crime Scene

Any place where evidence may be located and gathered to help explain evidence.

Modus Operandi

The characteristic method of operation of a criminal; sometimes referred to as MO.

Chain of custody

A written record of all people who have had possession of an item of evidence.

criminal law

public law

civil law

private law