Applied science-forensic science

Y13 unit

What are tiny pieces of material transferred between people, objects or environments during contact?

Trace evidence

What is the term for officially freeing someone from blame or suspicion?

Exonerate

What is the application of scientific methods and techniques to investigate crimes and examine evidence for a court of law?

Forensic science

What is the specialised branch of forensic science that focuses on the collection, analysis and interpretation of evidence from living or once-living organisms?

Forensic biology

What is the identification and characterisation of bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, semen and urine at a crime scene?

Serology

What is the investigation of deaths to determine the cause and manner of death, often through autopsy?

Forensic pathology

What is the estimated time that has elapsed since a person died?

Post-mortem interval (PMI)

What is the application of human biology and human history knowledge to legal investigations through the examination of skeletal remains?

Forensic anthropology

What is the application of dental science to legal investigations, including identification from dental records and bite mark analysis?

Forensic odontology

What is the application of plant science to legal investigations using plant material as evidence?

Forensic botany

What is the use of microorganisms—bacteria, fungi, algae and viruses—as evidence in criminal investigations?

Forensic microbiology

What is the identification and analysis of bird species, remains or droppings as evidence in criminal investigations?

Forensic ornithology

What is the use of insects and other arthropods as evidence in criminal investigations, particularly to estimate the PMI?

Forensic entomology

What evidence can narrow down the list of potential sources to a group sharing characteristics but cannot identify a single individual?

Class evidence

What evidence can, in principle, be linked to a single specific source like one person or one object?

Individual evidence

What is the term for the degree to which a piece of evidence tends to prove or disprove a fact in dispute?

Probative value

What principle states that "every contact leaves a trace"?

Locard's exchange principle

What occurs in practice whenever two objects or people come into contact according to Locard's principle?

Material is exchanged between them

Why does material exchange happen in both directions during a crime?

The perpetrator leaves something at the scene and takes something away

Why is Locard's exchange principle considered the cornerstone or foundation of forensic science?

It means that every crime leaves physical evidence behind and an exchange of material is essentially unavoidable

What is the primary goal of criminal law?

To determine whether a person is guilty of a crime committed against society

What is the primary goal of civil law?

To resolve disputes between individuals or organisations, usually involving compensation

Who brings the case forward in criminal law?

The state or Crown Prosecution Service

Who brings the case forward in civil law?

One party called the claimant sues another party called the defendant

What is the standard of proof required in a criminal law case?

Beyond reasonable doubt

What is the standard of proof required in a civil law case?

On the balance of probabilities

What is the outcome if a defendant is found liable in a civil case?

Usually financial compensation paid to the claimant

What is the outcome if a person is found guilty in a criminal case?

Criminal conviction which can include imprisonment, a fine or community service

Which forensic biology discipline identifies bodily fluids and analyses bloodstain patterns to help reconstruct a scene?

Serology

Which forensic biology discipline performs autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death and estimate the PMI?

Forensic pathology

Which forensic biology discipline examines skeletal remains to build a biological profile including age, sex, stature and ancestry?

Forensic anthropology

Which forensic biology discipline compares dental records with unidentified remains and analyses bite mark evidence?

Forensic odontology

Which forensic biology discipline uses plant material like pollen or leaves to link suspects to scenes, establish timelines and estimate PMI?

Forensic botany

Which forensic biology discipline uses changes in the necrobiome or environmental microbial fingerprints to estimate PMI and place of death?

Forensic microbiology

Which forensic biology discipline analyses feathers, bird remains or droppings to identify species or detect toxins in wildlife crimes?

Forensic ornithology

Which forensic biology discipline uses insect succession and the life cycle of flies to estimate the post-mortem interval?

Forensic entomology

What type of evidence originates from a living or once-living organism and often contains DNA?

Biological evidence

What type of evidence is any tangible object that can connect an offender to a crime scene or victim?

Physical evidence

What type of evidence consists of tiny amounts of material transferred during contact that often require microscopy to detect?

Trace evidence

What is the main difference between class evidence and individual evidence?

Class evidence narrows sources to a group, while individual evidence links to a single specific source

Why is class evidence alone not sufficient in a criminal trial?

It is not sufficient to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt