forensics terms

define the term forensics/forensic science

using science to resolve legal matters

whats the role of a forensic scientist

to collect and analyse evidence involved with criminal investigations

roles required to work together to solve a crime:

police officer, detective, judge, photographer, phycologists

what is forensic evidence

evidence used in field science or the scientific method to investigate or prove crimes

what are the 2 main types of evidence

direct and circumstantial

what is direct evidence

first hand observations e.g witness statements or video evidence

what is circumstantial evidence

indirect evidence used to imply a fact but does not prove it e.g DNA, someone with this dna may have been involved with the crime

what are the 2 types of circumstantial evidence

physical and biological

whats physical evidence

any evidence that is non living or inorganic e.g soil, fibres

whats biological evidence

connected to a living thing which involves bodily fluids or tissue e.g fingernails and DNA

what evidence describes who the evidence belongs to

class and individual

what is class evidence

narrows identity to a group of people e.g blood type, hair colour

whats individual evidence

narrows identity to a single person due to its unique characteristics e.g fingerprints and DNA