Introduction to Crime Scene and Forensic Science (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the crime scene and forensic science lecture notes.

CSI Effect

Public misconception fostered by crime shows that forensics quickly solves all cases with perfect, decisive evidence, creating unrealistic juror expectations.

Innocence Project

A nonprofit established in 1992 that seeks to prove the innocence of wrongfully convicted people, often by retesting DNA evidence; case selection is vetted.

NAS Report

The 2009 National Academy of Sciences report scrutinizing forensic science practices and making 13 recommendations; criticized for having committee members who were not practicing forensic scientists.

National Academy of Sciences (NAS)

A scientific body that conducts studies and issues reports on scientific matters, including forensic science critiques such as the NAS report.

National Commission on Forensic Science (NCFS)

Established in 2013 to examine forensic practices and influence policy and regulation at the state and national levels.

OSAC (Organization of Scientific Area Committees)

Formed in 2014 to develop minimum standards and best practices across forensic disciplines and maintain published standards (about 78).

PCAST

President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, formed in 2016 to strengthen the rigor of forensic testimony and support for forensic science as a valid field.

Odontology

The science of teeth and bite-mark analysis; has faced scrutiny and controversy over reliability and certainty in identifying individuals.

Recognize, Collect, Use (Evidence Workflow)

The practical sequence at a crime scene: recognize what may be evidence, collect it properly, and use it for analysis to seek the truth.

Evidence

Any information or material that tends to prove or disprove a fact in question during an investigation or trial.

Testimonial Evidence

Statements made under oath, including witness statements, expert testimony, alibis, and confessions.

Physical Evidence

Tangible, real objects or materials associated with a crime that can be examined or tested.

Direct Evidence

Evidence that proves a fact without the need for inferences, such as video footage or a first-hand eyewitness account.

Circumstantial Evidence

Evidence that implies a fact through inference and links to a crime but does not directly prove guilt by itself.

Negative Evidence

Absence of an expected indicator (e.g., no bruise) that is documented and can be significant in a case.

Individualization

Evidence tied to a unique source (e.g., fingerprints) that can be attributed to a single source.

Classification (Class Evidence)

Evidence tied to a common source from a manufactured lot (e.g., fabric, tools) that narrows to a group rather than a single item.

Fracture Match

A method of linking broken pieces (like glass) by fitting them together to identify a single origin.

Warrant

A legal authorization issued by a court allowing search or seizure of evidence.

Consent

Voluntary permission from a property owner or occupant to search or seize evidence without a warrant.