Forensic Dentistry Flashcards

Flashcards on key terms and concepts in Forensic Dentistry, covering various branches of forensic science and their applications in criminal investigations.

Forensic Science

Application of science to court or criminal matters including criminal and civil laws.

Forensis

The latin word for 'public'.

Forensic Scientist

Analyzes and tests collected evidence and offers expert testimony in court.

Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)

Collects evidence from a crime scene.

Chain of Custody

Maintain its authenticity when it reaches to the court.

Preliminary Evidence Analysis

Field tests of illegal drugs, fingerprint collection & analysis, and documentation of bloodstain patterns.

Criminalistics

Examination and comparison of biologic evidence, impression evidence, controlled substances, ballistics, firearm and tool mark analysis, and other evidences

Recognition

Detection of physical evidence at the crime scene, especially objects with transfer evidence.

Documentation

Photographing the crime scene with a size reference scale to establish context & condition when initially found.

Collection

Bagging and tagging evidence for processing and analysis in the lab, properly labeling with time, type, date, size, etc.

Preservation

Securing biologic materials as soon as possible and rarely for an indefinite period of time.

Interpretation

Analyzing the evidence to determine its significance to the case.

Frye Standard

General acceptance test used in US to determine admissibility of scientific evidence.

Forensic Odontology

Analysis of the dentition for purposes of human identification and examination of injuries.

Forensic Pathology

Determination of the cause and manner of death in cases of unattended suspicious death.

Forensic Anthropology

Recovery and identification of skeletonized human remains.

Forensic Entomology

Examination of insects in, on, and around human remains to assist in determination of time and location of death.

Forensic Geology

Deals with the trace evidence in the form of soils, minerals, and petroleum; using soil analysis

Forensic DNA Analysis

Takes advantage of the uniqueness of an individual’s DNA to answer forensic questions.

Forensic Ballistics

Methods of investigating the use of firearms and ammunition, and application of ballistics to legal questions.

Forensic Chemistry

Study of detection and identification of illicit drugs, accelerants used in arson cases, explosives and gunshot residues.

Locard’s Exchange Principle

With contact of two items, there will always be exchange of microscopic material.

Forensic Dactyloscopy

Study of fingerprints.

Forensic Podiatry

Application of the study of foot, footprints, or footwear.

Forensic Psychology

Study of the mind of an individual, using forensic methods.

Forensic Psychiatry

Evaluating a defendant’s competency to stand trial and determining a defendant’s mental state at the time of the offense.

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

Draws on biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics to ascertain the details and sequence of events of a crime involving bloodshed.

Forensic Economics

Study and interpretation of economic damage evidence.

Forensic Engineering

Application of engineering principles in cases involving materials & structural failure analysis & traffic accident reconstruction.

Digital Forensics

Application of proven scientific methods and techniques in order to recover data from electronic/digital media.