Forensic Science Exam Review

These flashcards cover key concepts from the forensic science lecture notes to help with exam preparation.

What does the root word of 'forensic' mean?

The root of the word forensic means 'public'.

What is the primary purpose of forensic science?

Forensic science refers to the application of science to matters involving the criminal and civil justice systems and court.

What are the major branches of forensic science?

Major branches include Criminalistics, Pathology/Biology, Odontology, Anthropology, General Forensics, Questioned Documents, Engineering, Toxicology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Digital and Multimedia Sciences, Jurisprudence, and Forensic Nursing Science.

What methods are used in Criminalistics?

Criminalistics involves the analysis of physical evidence such as hair and fibers, drugs, blood and body fluids, and fingerprints.

Who developed Anthropometry and what was its purpose?

Alphonse Bertillon developed Anthropometry, a means of recording physical features for unique identification of individuals.

What differentiates private and public forensic laboratories?

Private forensic laboratories are independently owned, often focusing on one or two types of evidence, while public laboratories are run by the government and handle all analytical evidence sections.

What is the role of a forensic scientist?

Forensic scientists perform scientific analysis of evidence and offer expert testimony in legal proceedings.

What is the significance of chain of custody?

The chain of custody documents the movement of evidence from collection to the courtroom, ensuring its integrity.

Define bias in forensic science.

Bias is a preference for or against a person, thing, group, or idea, which can influence the work of forensic professionals.

What is Locard's Exchange Principle?

Locard's Exchange Principle states that when two things contact, material is exchanged, which is crucial in forensic investigations.

What are the main steps in crime scene investigation?

Key steps include discovering the scene, securing it, preliminary survey, systematic search, documentation, evidence collection, and reconstructions.

What is a presumptive test in forensic analysis?

A presumptive test permits only qualified conclusions regarding the evidence.

What are the Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) relevant to forensic science?

FRE govern the admissibility of evidence in court, addressing relevance, opinion testimony, and the qualifications of expert witnesses.

What is the role of quality assurance in a forensic lab?

Quality assurance involves processes to evaluate and ensure the lab and its personnel maintain a desired level of quality.

How can scientific methods help prevent bias in forensic science?

Scientific methods are designed to systematically minimize the influence of personal bias in evidence analysis.