Forensic Science Course Study Guide

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts from the forensic science lecture notes.

General Information About Forensic Science

Introduction to the principles and practices in forensic science.

Criminalist

A forensic scientist who works independently of law enforcement to conduct crime scene investigations.

FBI Laboratory

The largest forensic science lab in the world, established to provide forensic services to law enforcement agencies.

Frye vs United States (1923)

A case that established the standard for admissibility of scientific evidence based on general acceptance in the scientific community.

Daubert vs Merrell Dow (1993)

A case that determined the admissibility of scientific evidence based on peer review, error rates, and the theory's acceptance in the scientific community.

Primary Crime Scene

The location where the crime occurred.

Secondary Crime Scene

Any location that is connected to the crime, though not where it took place.

Algor Mortis

The cooling of the body after death, which can help estimate time of death.

Rigor Mortis

The stiffening of the body after death, which is used to estimate time of death.

Toxicology

The study of the effects of chemicals on living organisms, often conducted during autopsies.

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Analyzing blood stains to determine the events surrounding the bloodshed.

Impression Evidence

Evidence that retains the characteristics of an object through physical contact, such as shoe prints or tire tracks.

Forensic Entomology

The use of insect life cycles to estimate time of death.

DNA Profiling

A forensic technique used to identify individuals based on their unique DNA characteristics.

Crime Scene Investigation Process

Includes recognition, identification, individualization, and reconstruction of evidence.

Expert Witness

A professional who testifies in court about their area of expertise.

Chain of Custody

The process of maintaining and documenting the handling of evidence.

Postmortem Interval (PMI)

The time elapsed between death and discovery, used to estimate time of death.

Autopsy

A thorough examination of a deceased body to establish the cause of death.

Document Examination

The forensic analysis of documents, used to determine authenticity or detect alterations.

Forensic Photography

Capturing crime scenes and evidence through photography for documentation and analysis.

Ballistics

The study of firearms and ammunition, including the analysis of bullet and casing evidence.

Digital Imaging

Creating, storing, and processing images digitally for forensic analysis.