Forensics 1

ACE-V process

A process involving analysis, comparison, evaluation, and verification

adhesion

The attraction of different molecules to each other

adhesive lift

The use of tape or another adhesive to remove an item

anecdotal evidence

Evidence that is based on one person's experience rather than a scientific inquiry

anthropometry

A system of body measurements used for the identification of an individual

antibody

A protein that combats a specific antigen

antigen

A toxic or foreign substance that creates an immune response in the body

arch

A fingerprint pattern that has no delta or significant core, formed by ridges entering on one side of the finger and exiting the opposite side

area of convergence

The area indicated by the imaginary lines drawn from the source or sources of blood

area of origin

A three-dimensional representation of the source of the blood

Autoantigens

Antigens produced by the body that mimic other antigens

autopsy

An examination to determine cause and manner of death

Bias

A tendency, predisposition, or prejudice toward or against something or someone

biased finding

An unfairly prejudiced finding

bifurcation

When a ridge divides into a Y-shape

Binder

A component of paint, usually an oil, that holds the paint together and adheres to the surface

biometric

Relating to biological information

blood spatter

A bloodstain created when blood moves through the air due to force

blood type

A classification based on where certain antigens are or are not present

breathalyzer

An instrument that measures blood alcohol content

centrifuge

A machine that spins a liquid very quickly and thereby separates components of different densities

chain of custody

A process that tracks the movement of evidence through all stages from collection to presentation in the courtroom

chromatogram

A strip produced by a gas chromatograph with a series of peaks, each of which corresponds to a component in a mixture

Chromatography

A technique for separating the components of a compound

class evidence

Evidence that can be linked to a group but not used to identify a specific individual

Closed-mindedness

The inability to consider different ideas or opinions

cognitive bias

A strong, preconceived notion of someone or something, based on information we have, think we have, or do not have

cohesion

The attraction that blood molecules have for each other

cold case

A case in which there is not enough evidence to come to a conclusion or to otherwise move forward

concentric fracture

A crack that forms a circular pattern

conclusions

A determination made by analyzing and evaluating data

core

The center of a line or lines in the fingerprint

crime scene investigator (CSI)

An investigator that will respond to the crime scene to document the scene, identify and collect forensic evidence, and maintain the proper chain of custody of that evidence

criminalist

A person who collects, analyzes, compares, identifies, and/or interprets items that may have been involved in a crime

Criminalistics

The application of scientific methods to recognizing, collecting, and analyzing physical evidence that results from the commission of a crime

criminologist

A person who studies criminology and is involved in making public policy and creating prevention programs as well as compiling statistical data

Criminology

The study of criminals including psychology, ethics, and sociology; it is a field that focuses on the offenders and why they committed the crimes as well as societal impacts of crime

critical thinking

Thinking that uses objective analysis or evaluation to come to a conclusion

cross section

A shape exposed by cutting straight through something

Data analysis

The systemic or logical examination of information in order to reveal patterns and help in decision-making

data evaluation

Process of finding a conclusion from data analysis

decedent

A person who has died

deltas

Triangular formations on the lower part of the finger impression where the ridges flowing in different directions meet

disinter

To dig up human remains

dots

Single, small, round ridges

empirical evidence

Information that comes through a verifiable source, such as observation and experimentation

enclosures

Eye shapes that form when two bifurcations face each other

ending ridges

The points at the end or beginning of the ridge

endogenous

Coming from within the body

exculpatory evidence

Evidence that could possibly exonerate a defendant

exogenous

Coming from outside of the body

field studies

Studies where scientists go to locations outside of the lab

final sketch

A sketch of the scene that is created with care and accuracy based on notes and measurements gathered at the scene

fixed point

A permanent, non-movable reference point used at a crime scene

flakes

Small pieces of paint

follicles

The structures from which hair grows

forensic autopsy

An autopsy to determine if a crime was committed

forensic DNA analyst

A scientist who conducts forensic serology and DNA analysis

Forensic pathologists

Doctors who perform autopsies in order to determine the cause and manner of death for deceased individuals

forensic scientist

A scientist who uses science to provide answers as it pertains to law

forensic toxicologist

A person who examines adverse effects of drugs and chemicals on biological systems

fruit of the poisonous tree

A legal doctrine stating that anything found in or connected to an illegal search cannot be used in court

functional tolerance

A situation in which a person's brain function adapts to alcohol

gas chromatograph

A device that separates mixtures based on their dispersal between a stationary liquid phase and a moving gas phase

genotype

The unique sequence of an organism's DNA

grid search pattern

A line pattern search with intersecting vertical and horizontal lines that create a grid

hypothesis

A proposed explanation for an observed phenomenon

immunological tests

Tests that use antigens to detect the presence of antibodies that will help identify pathogens

implicit bias

The unintentional, unconscious way of thinking that affects judgements, behaviors, and decisions

impression evidence

Evidence that is left due to pressure

in situ

In the original place where an item is found

Inference

A conclusion derived through evidence and reasoning

Instinct

A quality that we are born with that creates a response in a specific situation

Jurisdiction

The power to make legal decisions

Known Sample

A sample taken from an identified source to be used for comparison

Latent Fingerprints

Fingerprints that are not visible to the naked eye

Line Search Pattern

A series of vertical or horizontal lines/strips, also known as a strip pattern

Locard's Exchange Principle

The principle that when two things come into contact with each other they exchange material

Loop Fingerprint Pattern

A fingerprint pattern that consists of friction ridges that begin and end on the same side

Luminol

A water-based solution that can detect blood when sprayed on an area

Medicolegal Officer

A person who leads an investigation to determine the exact circumstances when someone dies

Microscope

An instrument that shows enlarged versions of small things to make them visible

Microscopic Morphology

The study of form on a microscopic level

Minutiae

Characteristics of friction ridges

Natural Fibers

Fibers that have an irregular shape and come from animals, plants, or elements mined from the ground

Oblique Illumination

A technique of projecting light at an angle instead of from above

Patent Fingerprints

Fingerprints left when something on the fingers transfers from the finger to a surface; they need no processing to see as they are visible to the naked eye

Pathogens

Bacteria, viruses, or other substances that cause disease

Perception

The brain's interpretation of what was observed

Phenotype

A detectable expression of the genotype

Phlebotomist

A health worker trained in drawing blood for medical testing

Pigment

A color element that gives paint its distinctive hue and cannot be dissolved in water

Plastic Fingerprints

3-D ridge impressions left on a soft material, such as putty, dirt, soft wax, or blood that can be seen without any form of processing

Point to Point Search Pattern

A pattern created when one piece of evidence leads to another

Probable Cause

A reason to believe that a person is involved in committing a crime

Quadrant Search Pattern

A pattern that breaks a scene into zones

Qualitative Data

Data that describes a person, place, or object and cannot be measured in a helpful way

Quantitative Data

Data that can be measured

Radial Fracture

A fracture that extends outward from the point where a projectile hits

Radial Loop

A loop that opens toward the thumb