Introduction to Forensic Science and Its Specializations

This flashcard set covers the definitions, applications, and various specialized branches of forensic science as discussed in the lecture notes.

Forensic Science

The application of scientific methods, principles, and techniques from natural sciences like chemistry, physics, and biology to answer questions of legal relevance.

Forensic Chemistry

A field where analysts perform toxicology screenings to identify substances in a victim's body to help determine the cause and manner of death.

Forensic Biology

A branch of forensic science where scientists compare DNA found at a crime scene with DNA from potential suspects to identify or eliminate individuals.

Criminology

A subfield of sociology focusing on the study of crime as a social phenomenon, investigating the nature, causes, and prevention of criminal behavior.

Forensic Pathology

A specialization focusing on determining the cause of death, manner of death, and the estimated time of death through examinations like autopsies.

Autopsy

A systematic examination of the deceased that may involve dissection to scrutinize internal structures for signs of disease, injury, or other abnormalities.

Forensic Odontology

The application of dental knowledge to legal investigations, useful for identifying human remains and age estimation.

Forensic Anthropology

A discipline involving the identification of human remains under challenging conditions like skeletonization, estimating attributes like age, sex, stature, and ancestry.

Forensic Entomology

The study of insects and other arthropods in a legal context to provide insights about the postmortem interval and circumstances surrounding death.

Postmortem Interval

The time elapsed since death, which can be estimated in forensic entomology through insect activity.

Forensic Psychology

The application of psychological theories and methods to the legal system, including criminal behavior profiling and evaluating mental health.

Forensic Psychiatry

A field that assesses a person's competency to stand trial and determines their state of mind at the time of an offense.

Forensic Linguistics

The study of language and its uses in the legal system, such as identifying authors of written language or analyzing threatening documents.

Forensic DNA Analysis

A method introduced in the 1980s that involves comparing DNA samples to establish or exclude potential links between suspects, victims, and crime scenes.

Forensic Accounting

The use of accounting, auditing, and investigation skills to examine financial statements for potential fraud, misrepresentation, or white-collar crime.

Computer Forensics

The process of extracting, preserving, and interpreting electronic data from digital devices to discover evidence of cybercrimes or malicious activity.

Forensic Engineering

The application of engineering principles to investigate failures or flaws in structures, materials, or systems to establish the root cause.