Unit 2 Physical Evidence and the Crime Scene Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering all key terms from Unit 2 Physical Evidence and the Crime Scene.

Analytical skills

Ability to identify a concept or problem, isolate its parts, organize information for decision making, establish evaluation criteria, and draw conclusions.

Associative evidence

Item that links a victim and suspect to each other or to a crime scene (e.g., personal belongings).

Biological evidence

Evidence originating from the body, such as blood, saliva, or hair.

Buccal swab

Collection of cells from inside the cheek for DNA analysis.

Chain of custody

Documented list of all persons who had possession of a piece of evidence.

Class evidence

Evidence that narrows identity to a group of persons or objects rather than a single source.

CODIS

Combined DNA Index System; electronic database that allows labs to exchange and compare DNA profiles.

Conditional evidence

Evidence produced by a specific event or action, useful for reconstructing the sequence of events.

Coroner

Elected official, often without medical training, responsible for investigating deaths.

Deductive reasoning

Drawing a conclusion from facts through a logical series of steps.

Direct evidence

First-hand observation presented in court.

Direct transfer

Immediate transfer of material (e.g., fiber) from victim to suspect or vice versa.

IAFIS

Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System; FBI-maintained national fingerprint and criminal history database.

Individual evidence

Evidence that can be traced to a single person or object.

Locard Principle

Every contact leaves a trace; evidence is transferred when two objects come into contact.

First responder

First safety official to arrive at a crime scene.

Indirect evidence

Circumstantial evidence that implies a fact but does not directly prove it.

Logical

Reasoned conclusion derived from established facts.

Medical Examiner

Appointed physician, usually a pathologist, who performs autopsies and determines time of death.

NAMUS

National Missing and Unidentified Persons System; clearinghouse for missing and unidentified person cases in the U.S.

NIBIN

National Integrated Ballistics Information Network; compares firearm markings on bullets and casings.

Paper bindle

Folded paper packet used to secure trace evidence such as hairs or powders.

Pattern evidence

Evidence created by direct contact between two objects or an object and a person.

PDQ

Paint Data Query; international database containing chemical and color data of original automotive paints.

Physical evidence

Any tangible object that shows a crime took place or links a crime, victim, or perpetrator.

Primary crime scene

Location where the crime actually occurred.

Secondary crime scene

Site related to the crime where additional evidence is found.

Secondary transfer

Evidence moved from a source to a person and then to another person (e.g., carpet fiber to suspect to victim).

SICAR

Shoeprint Image Capture and Retrieval; database for shoeprint comparisons.

Substrate control

Uncontaminated surface material near where evidence was found, used for comparison.

Standard reference sample

Known-origin physical evidence used for comparison with unknown samples.

Testimonial evidence

Statement made under oath; synonymous with direct evidence.

Trace evidence

Small, measurable amounts of material such as fibers or glass found at a scene.

Transfer evidence

Material produced by contact between persons or objects.

Transient evidence

Temporary, easily lost, or changeable evidence observed by the first officer (e.g., odors, temperatures, imprints).