CSI Unit: Crime Scene & Evidence Basics

Accomplice

Person suspected of helping another person commit a crime

Alibi

Statement of where a suspect was at the time of a crime

Circumstantial

Indirect evidence that may link someone to a crime

Crime Scene

Location where a crime or accident took place; could be primary or secondary

Document

Third step in crime scene protocol that involves making sketches and taking photographs

Examine

Second step in crime scene protocol that involves exploring the scene to locate potential

Facial Composite

Another term for a sketch of a person's face

Interview

First step in crime scene protocol that involves taking to witnesses and victims

Physical Evidence

Items that may be tested and examined; blood, fingerprints, toolmarks, etc.

Process

Last step of the crime scene protocol that involves the collection of evidence

Suspect

Person thought to have committed a crime

Entomology

Forensic ______ includes the study of insects and their life cycles to determine time of death

Anthropology

Forensic ______ includes the study of human remains and skeletons to help in identifying victims

Biology

The study of living things and their DNA

Botany

The study of plants; may provide clues to help investigators identify locations where suspects or victims may have been

Serologists

These scientists test blood, saliva, and other body fluids to provide clues about a crime and its suspects or victims

Toxicologists

These specialists tests body fluids and tissues to determine the presence of drugs and poisons

Ballistics

The study of bullets and ammunition as well as gunpowder patterns on people and objects

Toolmarks

A ______ specialist examines marks left by tools on objects at a crime scene or on a victim to provide clues about a crime

Psychologists

The field of forensic ____ includes the scientific study of the mind and human behavior to provide clues about a suspect or a crime

Pathology

Scientists in this field investigate the cause and manner of death

Odontology

Forensic _____ includes the study of teeth and their features to analyze bite marks and identify human remains

Physics

The study of forces and motion; may be helpful in forensics while analyzing or reconstructing a crime scene or accident

Chemistry

The study of atoms and elements; may be helpful in forensics when trying to identify substances left behind at a crime scene

Latent

Scientists who use their knowledge in identifying fingerprints, footprints, palmprints, etc. are known as _____ print specialists

Computer

____ forensic investigators are trained to analyze digital media, investigate cybercrime and fraud, and incidents of hacking

Detectives

Some policemen/women are classified as ____ who interview witnesses and consult with the CSI unit as part of their job

Bloodstain

____ pattern analysts (BPA) use their knowledge of blood and its properties to analyze blood spatter found at a crime scene

DNA

Forensic ___ profiling is a technique employed by forensic scientists to identify individuals by characteristics of their genetic makeup

Testimonial

Evidence that includes oral or written statements given by people who have witnessed a crime or accident

Crime Scene Protocol

Procedure for processing a crime scene - Interview -> Examine -> Document -> Process

Autopsy

Examination of a body to determine cause of death and other details about a crime

FBI

A federal crime fighting agency known as the Federal Bureau of Investigations

CODIS

Represents the Combined DNA Index System, which is a database of DNA profiles

Polygraph

Also called a lie detector

Primary

The location where a crime first occurred or started

Secondary

A location where more evidence from a crime was found (not the first one)