Chapter 1 and 2 forensics (key terms)

analytical skill

the ability to identify a concept or problem, isolate its component parts, organize information for decision making, establish criteria for evaluation, and draw appropriate conclusion

deductive reasoning

deriving a conclusion from the facts using a series of logical steps

eyewitness

a person who has seen someone or something related to a crime and can communicate their observation

forensic science

using science to help resolve legal matters, such as crimes

hypothesis

a possible explanation of a question or problem based on prior knowledge or observation

logical

reasoned from facts

observation

what a person perceives using their senses

opinion

personal belief founded on judgment rather than on direct experience or knowledge

perception

nformation received from the senses

fact

a statement or information that can be verified

chain of custody

he documented and unbroken transfer of evidence

circumstantial evidence

evidence used to imply a fact but not support it directly

class evidence

material that connects an individual or a thing to a certain group

crime scene investigation

a multidisciplinary approach in which scientific and legal professionals work together to solve a crime

crime-scene reconstruction

a hypothesis of the sequence of events from before the crime was committed through its commission

datum point

a permanent, fixed point of reference used in mapping a crime scene

direct evidence

evidence that (if authentic) supports an alleged fact of a case

first responder

the first safety official to arrive at a crime scene

individual evidence

a kind of evidence that identifies a particular person or thing

paper bindle

a folded paper used to hold trace evidence

primary crime scene

the location where the crime took place

subdatum point

one of several reference points of known coordinates marked from a measurable distance and direction from the datum point

trace evidence

small but measurable amounts of physical or biological material found at a crime scene

triangulation

a mathematical method of estimating positions of objects at a location such as a crime scene, given locations of stationary objects t

valid

evidence (testimony, exhibits, demonstrative evidence, and documentary material) properly collected and documented that truthfully supports a claim based on objective, scientific data from reliable sources

reliable

evidence that is consistent when retested