Ballistics, Hair, Fibers, and Shoe Impressions Overview

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to ballistics, hair analysis, fiber evidence, and shoe impressions as discussed in the lecture.

Ballistics

The study of the discharge, flight, and effects of projectiles, especially bullets.

Unique rifling

The distinctive pattern of lands and grooves in a gun barrel that imparts spin to a bullet.

Spent cartridge

A cartridge that has been fired; contains evidence such as firing pin marks.

Caliber

The measure of the diameter of a bullet or the width of the base of the bullet.

Mitochondrial DNA

Genetic material found in mitochondria that can link hair to a familial relationship.

Class evidence

Evidence that can only be associated with a group; it cannot pinpoint a specific individual.

Trace evidence

Small pieces of evidence that can link suspects to a crime scene, such as fibers.

Flash burns

Burns that occur when a bullet is discharged at close range.

Head stamp

The mark on the bottom of a cartridge that identifies the manufacturer and caliber.

Fiber transfer

The transfer of fibers from a source (like clothing) to a victim or crime scene.

Impression evidence

Evidence left by the impression of shoes, footprints, or tires at a crime scene.