Forensics

Autopsy

A medical examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death and any disease or injury that may be present.

Ballistics

The study of the motion, behavior, and effects of projectiles, particularly bullets, during and after firing.

Blood Splatter

The analysis of blood stains at a crime scene to understand the events surrounding a violent incident. It examines the patterns and distribution of blood to infer details about the attack.

Bloodstain Interpertation

is the process of analyzing bloodstains to reconstruct the events of a crime, providing insights into the dynamics of the attack and the positions of those involved.

Bullet Track

The path that a bullet takes after being fired, influenced by various factors such as wind, gravity, and obstacles.

Caliber

The diameter of a bullet or firearm bore, usually measured in millimeters or inches, which affects the bullet's performance and the firearm's classification.

catalyst

A substance that accelerates a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process, often used in forensic analysis to enhance the detection of substances.

DNA

A molecule that carries genetic information, crucial in forensic science for identifying individuals through genetic profiling.

composite drawing

A visual representation created to depict a suspect's appearance, typically assembled from a witness's description, and used in investigations to identify suspects.

criminology

The scientific study of crime, criminal behavior, and the societal responses to crime.

DNA electrophoresis

A laboratory technique used to separate and analyze DNA fragments based on their size, aiding in genetic profiling and forensic analysis.

DNA profiling

The process of determining an individual's DNA characteristics for identification purposes, often used in forensic science to match biological samples.

Evidence

Any material item or information presented in a court of law to establish the truth of facts in a case, including physical items, witness testimony, and documents.

Fingerprint

A unique pattern of ridges and valleys on the surface of a finger, used for personal identification in forensic investigations.

Gas chromatograph

A scientific instrument used to separate and analyze compounds in a mixture, commonly employed in forensic science to identify substances.

gene

A sequence of DNA that contains the instructions for building proteins, playing a critical role in determining an organism's traits.

hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.

latent fingerprint

A hidden impression of a fingerprint that is not visible to the naked eye but can be made visible through various techniques, commonly used in forensic investigations.

lie detector

A device used to measure physiological responses, such as heart rate and galvanic skin response, to determine whether a person is being deceptive during questioning.

luminol

A chemical used in forensics to detect blood at crime scenes, even in diluted or cleaned areas, by producing a blue glow when it reacts with hemoglobin.

physical evidence

any tangible items that can be collected and examined to provide insights or proof in a forensic investigation, such as fingerprints, hair, or fibers.

point by point analysis

A method used to systematically evaluate and compare different pieces of evidence in forensic investigations, often focusing on specific details to support conclusions about the case.

ridge characteristics

Specific features of fingerprints such as bifurcations, dots, and ridge endings used for identification.

serology

the study and analysis of bodily fluids, particularly blood, to gather forensic evidence and determine identities in criminal investigations.

super glue fuming

is a forensic technique used to visualize latent fingerprints on non-porous surfaces by applying cyanoacrylate vapor, which adheres to the ridges of the fingerprints.

toxicology

The scientific study of poisons, including their detection, effects, and remedies, often applied in forensic science to investigate causes of death due to poisoning or drug overdose.

trace evidence

Evidence that is small and easily transferred, such as hair, fibers, soil, or glass, often found at crime scenes and used to link a suspect to the scene or victim.

Trajectory

the path of a projectile

what is forensic science

the application of science to criminal and civil law

Mathieu Orfila

Father of toxicology, first forensic chemist to testify that posion was the cause of death.

Alphonse Bertillion

invented the mugshot, developed scientific identification.

francis galton

conducted a study on fingerprints and their identification. invented the questionaire, cousins w/ charles darwin.

leone lattes

developed procedure to determine blood type from dried blood.

calvin goddard

invented the comparison microscope. used in ballistics to compare bullets.

albert osborn

developed the fundemental principles of document examination

walter mccrone

used microscopes to analyze evidence, hair, fibers etc.

hans gross

came up with criminal investigation, combined psych and science. crime scene photogrophy

edmond locard

developed crime lab in france, one of the most famous forensic scientist. came up with Locards Exchange principal.

Locards Exchange principle

Every Contact leaves a trace.

Forensic investigators must be able to clearly…

Observe and Gather, interperet and report clearly

Trained Investoigators collect evidence without making…

Judgements

Trained Investigators search crime scenes in a….

pattern, such as a grid pattern

Observation

In forensics an observation is noticing and recording details or evidence at a crime scene.

we cant pay attention to everything at once. the brain…

filters what info is processed.

paying attention to deatails of your surroundings requires…

Concious effort

perception

seeing, hearing or becoming aware of something through the senses and then understanding or interperting it. A mental impression.

Perception is…

Limited, Faulty, not always accurate, Not always reflective of reality, based on past knowledge.

witness observations are influenced by…

Emotional or mental state, whether you are alone or with a group, number of people, type of activity, and how much activity is happening.

eyewitness accounts are based on..

level of interest, stress, concentration, the amount and kind of distractions, prejudices, personal belifs, motives and any lapse in time since event.

What is the innocence project?

to reexamine post conviction cases using dna evidence to prove if they are guilty or innocent.

Faulty eyewitness identification accounted for up to _____ percent of wrongful convictions

87%

How to be a good observer…

observe systematically, turn off filters, write things down, compensate for faulty memory.

fact vs opinion

A fact is true, opinion is a personal belief

Attention

Your brains tool to make sense of what you are focusing on.

Change blindness

failure to notice a suprisingly large change right in front of you.

Top-Down

what yo choose to focus

bottom up attention

something that grabs your attention.

intentional blindness

the failure to notice something that change while focusing on something else.

what makes a good witness…

someone measured in their thoughts, doesnt answer quick, no tunnel vision.

what makes a bad witness

tunnel vision, thinks they know everything, to eager and quick to answer.