Introduction to Forensic Sciences

Practice flashcards covering key vocabulary from the 'Introduction to the Forensic Sciences' lecture.

Forensic Science

The field that applies investigation and discovery to the practical need of providing answers to questions revolving around legal issues.

Criminalistics

The scientific examination of physical evidence for legal purposes, part of the broader forensic science field, evolving from an all-knowing individual expert to subdisciplines with specialists.

Basic Science

Seeks to fundamentally unravel the mysteries of the universe and provide answers to the hows and whys of nature.

Applied Science

Science that takes fundamental discoveries and research and applies them to practical needs, such as providing answers to legal questions (as forensic science does).

CSI Effect

A problem largely brought about by popular depictions of forensics, where juries frequently find cases lacking unless all possible types of scientific data are presented.

Justice

A state of being just or fair, which is the primary goal of the legal system, hopefully based on truth.

Truth

Something that is generally either in agreement with fact or a fact widely accepted as true, though it depends on perspective, sought by the scientific world.

Frye Standard

A legal standard (pre-1923) where the bona fide scientific world, instead of individual courts, determined what forensic evidence was based on good, admissible science.

Daubert Standard

A legal standard (post-1923) that places the responsibility for determining what constituted good admissible science with the judge, while retaining guidance from relevant scientific communities.

Pseudoscience

Fake or false science that is properly inadmissible in court, which new standards of scientific practice help to filter out.

Scientific Certainty

Science can often only provide information as to the probability that events may occur, rather than absolute certainty, requiring juries to weigh these probabilities to reach a verdict.

General Criminalist

An outdated role, like Sherlock Holmes, who personally possessed all necessary scientific knowledge from various fields to solve a crime, a function now replaced by specialized experts.