Forensic Science Overview

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from forensic science, useful for exam preparation.

Forensic Science

The application of scientific principles to criminal and civil laws enforced by police agencies.

Criminalistics

Describes the services provided by a crime lab.

Toxicology

The study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms.

Locard’s Exchange Principle

When a criminal comes in contact with an object or person, evidence is exchanged.

Forensic Photography

The use of photography in crime scene investigations.

Anthropometry

The measurement and proportioning of the human body, developed by Alphonse Bertillon.

DNA Profiling

The identification of individual characteristics of DNA used in forensic science, introduced by Sir Alec Jeffreys.

Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical

A case that established criteria for admissibility of expert witness testimony and evidence.

Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)

A process involving collecting and preserving physical evidence from a crime scene.

Forensic Serology

The study and examination of bodily fluids, particularly blood, in legal investigations.

Fyre v. US

A case that established guidelines for the admissibility of scientific evidence in court.

Daubert v Merrell Dow Pharma

Gatekeeping judges

Scientific Method

A systematic method of inquiry involving observation, hypothesis, experimentation, results, and conclusions.

Individualization

The process of associating evidence to a specific source with high certainty.

Forensic Odontology

The use of dental records and bite marks in identifying human remains.

Forensic Engineering

The application of engineering principles to investigate failures, accidents, or explosions.

Chain of Custody

The process of maintaining and documenting the handling of evidence to preserve its integrity.

Classification of Evidence

Grouping evidence by shared characteristics rather than identifying a specific source.

Corroborative Evidence

Additional evidence that strengthens and supports initial evidence relating to a crime.