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Forensic science
The application of scientific methods to criminal cases.
Criminalistics
The application of scientific methods to evaluate physical evidence from a crime scene for use in criminal proceedings.
Odontology
Dentists who specialize in identification perform bite mark analysis and dental identification when there is nobody identification.
Entomology
Uses insects to determine the time of death and location of the corpse.
Pathology
Studies medical history, performs autopsies and collects medical and trace evidence from a body.
Ballistics
Examines firearms, discharged bullets, cartridge cases, and shotgun shells.
Polygraphy
Often incorrectly referred to as a lie detector test, it measures and records several physiological indicators while a person answers a series of questions.
Toxicology
Medical examiners determine toxic substances in the body, including drugs and poisons.
Forensic Anthropology
Identification of a person’s characteristics such as sex, age, and race from body remains.
Serology
Identification of blood and other fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, and saliva.
Statutory Law
Legislative acts that declare, command, or prohibit.
Criminal Law
Regulation and enforcement of rights, setting acceptable limits of conduct in society.
Common Law
Body of law made up of judicial opinions and precedents (stare decisis).
Civil Law
Noncriminal suits brought to protect a civil right or private matter.
Equity Law
Filed as a preventative measure, e.g., restraining orders.
Administrative Law
Established by agencies such as the IRS or Social Security Administration.
Indict
To charge with a crime by the finding or presentment of a grand jury.
Arraignment
The first act in a criminal proceeding where the defendant is brought before the court to hear charges and enter a plea.
Preliminary Hearing
No jury; judge decides to proceed to trial, dismiss, or reduce charges due to insufficient evidence.
Probable Cause
A situation in which a reasonable person concludes that a crime has been committed.
Nolo Contendere
Latin for 'no contest'; agrees to accept punishment without admitting guilt.
Miranda Rights
Rights that eliminate confessions as evidence of guilt.
Double Jeopardy
5th Amendment protection against being prosecuted twice for the same crime.
Bail
A sum of money or property deposited to ensure the defendant returns for trial.
Plea Bargain
A legal arrangement where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest for concessions from the prosecutor.
Misdemeanor
A minor crime, less than a felony, punishable by no more than one year in jail.
Felony
More serious crimes that carry stiffer penalties, punishable by more than one year in prison.
Violation
Any breach of a law, classified as an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony.
Evidence
Material collected during a legal search of a suspect's premises.
Expert Witness
A witness qualified by the court to assist in understanding a method or technology.
Class vs. Individual Evidence
Class characteristics are common to a group; individual characteristics identify a specific person.
Locard Principle
The perpetrator will bring and leave things at the crime scene.
Daubert Ruling
A rule of evidence regarding the admissibility of expert witness testimony.
Frye Standard
Used to determine the admissibility of an expert's scientific testimony.
CSI Effect
How crime shows affect public opinion and jurors regarding forensic evidence.
Deductive Reasoning
The investigator constructs truths based on axiomatic assumptions.
Inductive Reasoning
The process of drawing general conclusions from many clues or pieces of evidence.
Probative
The probability of evidence to reach its proof purpose of a relevant fact.
Material
Material evidence from crime or accident scenes that may explain the cause of an accident.
Booking
Police procedure following arrest that records basic information about the suspect.
