Skills Connect EOPA Study Guide – Vocabulary Flashcards (Criminal Justice & Crime Scene Investigations)

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering core terms and concepts from the lecture notes on criminal law, constitutional rights, evidence, and crime scene procedures.

Criminal law

Body of law dealing with violations of local, state, or federal law; violations are prosecuted; punishments assigned; proof beyond a reasonable doubt is required.

Misdemeanor

Less serious offense punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or fines (often up to $1,000); examples include DUI, speeding, simple battery.

Felony

Serious crime punished by 1 year or more in prison; examples include murder, rape, armed robbery, certain drug offenses.

Offense/Infraction

Ticketable or minor violations that may not require jail time; the least serious category of crime.

Inchoate offense

Incomplete or preliminary offenses (e.g., attempt, solicitation, conspiracy) not yet completed crimes.

Treason/Espionage

Crimes against the state involving betrayal or spying that threaten national security or sovereignty.

Property Crimes

Crimes that involve property damage or theft (e.g., burglary, larceny, vandalism).

Crimes Against People

Crimes that directly harm persons (e.g., assault, battery, homicide).

Drug Offenses

Crimes involving possession, distribution, or manufacture of illegal or controlled substances.

Civil Litigation

Legal disputes between individuals or entities over rights, obligations, and damages; monetary damages are a common remedy.

Monetary Damages

Financial compensation awarded to a plaintiff in civil cases (can include compensatory and punitive damages).

1st Amendment

Protects freedoms of speech, religion, petition, press, and peaceful assembly.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to bear arms; includes specified exceptions (e.g., felons, age limits, certain regulations).

4th Amendment

Protects against unlawful searches and seizures; requires probable cause and warrants in many cases; protects privacy in dwellings and possessions.

5th Amendment

Protects against self-incrimination, guarantees due process, double jeopardy protection, and grand jury indictment in federal cases.

6th Amendment

Guarantees a speedy and public trial, impartial jury, notice of the accusation, confrontation of witnesses, compulsory process, and right to counsel.

7th Amendment

Right to a jury trial in certain civil cases exceeding a monetary threshold (commonly $20).

8th Amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, and excessive bail or fines; related landmark rulings address capital punishment standards.

14th Amendment

Due process and equal protection under state law; incorporation of fundamental rights to all citizens.

Miranda Warning

Warning of rights (remain silent, counsel) to suspects in custody before interrogation; protects against self-incrimination.

Public Safety Exception

Exception allowing questioning before Miranda warnings in emergencies to protect public safety.

Inevitable Discovery

Rule allowing illegally obtained evidence to be used if it would have been discovered lawfully anyway.

Spontaneous Utterance

Statements made without interrogation that can be admissible if voluntary.

Exclusionary Rule

Illegally obtained evidence cannot be used in court; applies to IVth/5th Amendment violations.

Plain View Doctrine

Evidence in plain sight of an officer, with lawful presence, may be seized without a warrant.

Terry v. Ohio

Allows stop and frisk of a suspect’s outer clothing for officer safety with reasonable suspicion.

Probable Cause

Facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe a crime has occurred.

Reasonable Suspicion

Less demanding than probable cause; enough to justify a brief stop and investigation.

Affidavit

Sworn written statement establishing probable cause necessary for a warrant.

Search/Arrest Warrant

Judicial authorization specifying what/where to search or who to arrest; requires probable cause and judge’s signature.

Parens Patriae

Principle that the state acts as guardian for minors in certain juvenile matters.

Juvenile Court

Court handling cases involving minors; often protects juvenile identities and may limit jury trials.

In re Gault

Case recognizing many due process rights for juveniles similar to adults (with some limitations).

In re Winship

Standard of proof in juvenile and other cases requiring proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Right to counsel for indigent defendants in felony cases; states must provide an attorney.

Alabama v. Shelton

Affirmed right to counsel in certain sentencing contexts; reinforces indigent defense protections.

Frye v. United States

Frye standard: scientific evidence must be generally accepted to be admissible.

Daubert v. Dow

Daubert standard: testability, peer review, error rate, and general acceptance determine admissibility of scientific evidence.

Tennessee v. Garner

Allows deadly force to prevent the escape of a fleeing felon under certain conditions.

Graham v. Connor

Establishes objective reasonableness as the standard for evaluating use-of-force decisions.

OC Spray (Oleoresin Capsicum)

Pepper spray; inflammatory agent causing temporary blindness; active ingredient capsaicin.

Use of Force Options

Hierarchy from presence to lethal force; includes officer presence, communication, control, and weapons.

Triaging

Prioritizing treatment in emergencies; categories include Immediate, Delayed, and Dead.

DNA Analysis

Extraction and comparison of DNA from evidence to determine origin or match; requires chain of custody.

Latent Fingerprints

Impressions of friction ridge skin not visible without development; revealed by powders, chemicals, or special lighting.

Fingerprint Powder

Powder applied to reveal latent prints; lifted with tape for lab analysis.

Ninhydrin

Chemical used to visualize latent prints on porous surfaces, producing a blue/purple color.

Cyanoacrylate Fuming (Super Glue Method)

Vapor method to reveal latent prints by forming a visible polymer on prints.

Ridge Characteristics (Minutiae)

Unique features in fingerprint ridges used to individualize prints after pattern identification.

Evidence Packaging

Careful packaging to prevent damage and cross-contamination; includes labeling and initials.

Chain of Custody

Documentation showing who handled evidence from collection to court presentation.

Search Patterns (Pattern Searches)

Systematic methods for scene searches: spiral, strip, grid, zone, and pie/wheel.

Grid Search

A thorough search using horizontal and vertical lanes to cover an area.

Triangulation (Sketch Method)

A method using two fixed points to determine object locations by measuring distances.

Rectangular Coordinates (Sketch Method)

A method using two perpendicular reference lines to locate objects.

Base Line (Sketch Method)

Measured from a single reference line; locations plotted along a baseline.

Compass Point Method

Sketch method using a room’s corner as origin and angles from that point.

Cross Projection / Exploded Sketch

Sketch showing a room opened like a box to reveal evidence on walls/ceiling.

Validation of Sketches

Finished sketches produced with templates or CAD; must include dates, case numbers, scales.

Evidence Integrity

Never move evidence before recording; gloves used to prevent contamination.

Universal Prowords

Standard radio shorthand terms used for clear, concise police communications.

Bailiff

Court officer maintaining order and custody of the jury during trial.

Court Reporter

Official who records a verbatim transcript of court proceedings.

Delinquent vs Status Offense

Delinquent offenses violate criminal law; status offenses depend on the offender’s age (e.g., truancy).