Criminalistics basics & physical fit fors midterm review

What are the 4 steps in criminalistics?

1. recognition

2. identification

3. individualization

4. reconstruction

describe recognition.

the ability to determine what could be useful as evidence at a crime scene.

describe identification.

what is the item? uses CLASS characteristics.

describe individualization.

where did the item originate? an EXACT person or object. requires comparison and INDIVIDUAL characteristics.

describe reconstruction.

answers the questions: what happened? how exactly did it happen?

What are the 3 principles of physical fit analysis?

1. fracture patterns are unique

2. physical match = so strong, it excludes all other evidence to the contrary

   1. shows realignment of two or more objects to prove they at one time formed a single object

what is direct vs. indirect physical match?

direct: object can be fit together by edges. indirect: edges do not align (i.e. frayed) but continuity of surface or internal features show they were at one point joined together.

what is the 4R rule?

ridge lines on oradial fractures form right angles on the reverse side of the force.

on what side do radial fractures originate from impact?

opposite side of applied force

on what side do concentric fractures originate from impact?

side closest to force

what is float glass?

one side fluoresces under shortwave UV