UNIT 1 VOCAB

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.