Intro to Forensic Procedures & Evidence Collection – Vocabulary Flashcards

Key terms from the lecture notes on forensic evidence types, collection, and packaging.

Forensic science

The application of science to legal cases, including the collection, analysis, and interpretation of evidence for solving crimes.

Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)

Systematic process of locating, preserving, collecting, and analyzing physical evidence at a crime scene following established procedures.

Demonstrative evidence

Visual aids such as charts, diagrams, maps, or models used to illustrate testimony; admissible if they accurately represent testimony and are helpful.

Documentary evidence

Documents presented to support or dispute claims (diaries, letters, contracts, newspapers); must be authentic and credible.

Testimonial evidence

Witness statements given under oath about what they saw or heard.

Physical evidence

Tangible items from a crime scene (like fingerprints, DNA, weapons) whose relevance and authenticity determine legal admissibility.

Biological evidence

Biological material from living organisms (e.g., blood, semen, saliva) used for analysis; requires careful collection and packaging.

Trace evidence

Small amounts of physical evidence transferred between people or surfaces (e.g., hairs, fibers, glass fragments) requiring careful collection to prevent loss.

DNA evidence

Genetic material used to identify individuals; has transformed forensics by solving cases and exonerating suspects.

Chain of custody

Documentation of the secure transfer and handling of evidence from collection to presentation to preserve integrity.

Admissibility

The legal acceptability of evidence in court, based on relevance, authenticity, and proper handling.

Evidence collection and packaging

Standardized methods for gathering and storing evidence to prevent contamination, loss, or tampering and ensure usefulness in court.

Glassine envelope / paper bindle

Breathable packaging used for trace evidence like hairs and fibers to prevent loss during transport.

Canister / Bottle / Jar

Containers used to store trace or sample evidence, providing leak-proof sealing.

Screw-cap glass vial

Small, secure container used to preserve small amounts of trace or biological samples.

Air-drying

Process of allowing wet biological evidence (e.g., blood) to dry before packaging to prevent microbial growth.

Trace evidence collection techniques

Methods such as picking, lifting, scraping, vacuum sweeping, combing, and clipping used to recover trace evidence.

Trace evidence collection tools

Tools like tweezers, swabs, tape lifts, and spatulas used to collect trace evidence.

Four categories of forensic evidence

Demonstrative, Documentary, Testimonial, and Physical; weight and impact vary in trials.

Weight of evidence in trials

Different evidence types contribute different levels of persuasive value; physical DNA evidence often carries more weight than demonstrative.