Unit 1 Forensic Science Quiz

Forensic Science

The study and application of science matters to law

Criminalistics

The examination of physical evidence

Evidence

Anything that establishes proof or disproof

Ballistics

The branch of forensic science that analyzes firearms, ammunition, and projectiles to determine origin and trajectory

Odontology

examination of bite marks and dental identification

Pathology

investigation of sudden, unexplained, or violent death

Entomology

The study of insects

Palynology

The study of pollen and spores

Polygraphy

The use of a lie detector

Locard Principle

Whenever two objects come in contact with each other there is a transfer or material

Statutory laws

legislative acts declaring, commanding, or prohibiting something

Common law

The body of law made up of judicial opinions and precedents

Civil law

noncriminal suits brought up to protect or preserve a civil matter

Criminal law

regulation and enforcement of rights (person vs state/federal)

Misdemeanor

Drunk driving, vandalism, shoplifting <$500, prostitution, possession of a small amount of drugs, assault, etc. (penalties include, fines, community service, and jail time up to 1 year)

Felony

Arson, armed robbery, homicide, rape, grand theft, dealing drugs, fraud, etc. (penalties include fines up to $100,000, probation, and prison time)

Probable cause

Reason to believe a crime was committed by suspect

Miranda rights

Rights provided to a perpretrator by the constitution

Arraignment

Where you are informed of the charges brought against you

Preliminary hearing

Where they state how they plea before trial

Nolo contendre

The defendant neither admits or denies committing a crime

Bail

A set amount of money a defendant pays to get out of jail before the trial

Indict

To formally charge with a crime

Plea Bargain

A legal negotiation where a defendant pleads guilty to a crime in exchange for a lighter sentence or reduced charges.

Violation

Any law broken

Expert witness

A person with special skills, training, or knowledge in a specific field.

Frye standard

Scientific methodologies that have been sufficiently tested and generally accepted in the field of study

Daubert ruling

A revision of the Frye standard that allows evidence to be admissible according to the scientific method at judicial discretion

Junk science

fake science “psuedoscience”/ science not proven to be true

Class evidence

Evidence that applies to a group of people

Individual evidence

Evidence that belongs to a single person