Forensic Science: Crime Scene Investigation, Pathology, and Toxicology

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering forensic pathology, postmortem changes, toxicology, evidence collection, and crime scene search methods.

Toxicology

The study of poisons and toxins in the human body.

Toxicologist

A person who identifies and quantifies toxins in the body.

Codeine Overdose

A toxic drug overdose characterized by difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and blue fingernails and lips.

Cocaine Overdose

A toxic drug overdose characterized by a rising body temperature, tremors, seizures, an irregular heartbeat, and sweating.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

A measurement, also referred to as blood alcohol content, indicating the level of alcohol present in the bloodstream.

Liver (in relation to alcohol toxicity)

The internal organ that suffers damage over time due to alcohol consumption.

Alcohol Detection Tests

Three diagnostic tests used to detect alcohol in a person's system: urinalysis, breath (breathalyzer), and blood tests.

Algor Mortis

The postmortem cooling of the body after death.

Cause of Death

The immediate reason for a person's death.

Death (Forensic Definition)

The cessation of the heart.

Decomposition

The biological process of rotting and breaking down after death.

Entomology

The scientific study of insects.

Pathologist

A medical doctor who performs autopsies on the human body.

External Autopsy

The initial step of a forensic autopsy examination.

Y-incision

The first surgical step executed during an internal autopsy.

Instar II

The larval development stage of a blow fly maggot identified by the presence of 2 spiracle splits near the anus.

Blow Fly Egg Stage

The very first developmental stage in the life cycle of a blow fly.

Pupa

The life cycle stage of a blow fly immediately preceding hatching into an adult fly.

Rigor Mortis

The postmortem stiffening of skeletal muscles caused by chemical changes after death.

Rigor Mortis Progression

A timeline where stiffening begins first in the head and shoulders and exhibits fully across the entire body at approximately $12\,\text{hours}$ postmortem.

Lividity (Livor Mortis)

The pooling of blood in tissues under gravity after death, which begins to set in around $2\,\text{hrs.}$ (dependent on environmental conditions) and becomes permanent by $8\,\text{hrs.}$

Dual Lividity (Opposite Side Lividity)

A condition where lividity patterns appear on the opposite side from how a body is positioned, indicating that the victim has been moved and flipped.

Manners of Death

The four official classifications recorded on a death certificate: suicide, homicide, accidental, and natural.

Ambient Temperature

The surrounding environmental temperature condition that directly affects time of death (TOD) calculations.

Effect of Heat on Livor and Rigor Mortis

Environmental heat increases the rate at which livor mortis and rigor mortis processes occur.

Postmortem Body Temperature (First Hour)

Within the first hour following death, body temperature remains constant.

Forensic Anthropologist

A specialist who examines skeletal remains to determine cause of death (COD), age, ethnic origins, height, and lifestyle.

Sexual Dimorphism of the Human Skull

Morphological differences where male skulls are generally heavier with thicker bone, more defined muscle attachments, and distinct forehead, eye, and jaw shapes compared to female skulls.

Cranial Sutures

The fibrous joints between bones of the skull used by forensic anthropologists to estimate the age of an individual.

Sexual Dimorphism of the Pelvis

Anatomical differences where the female pelvis is broader and larger with a wide, oval inlet, while the male pelvis has closer ischium bones and a heart-shaped inlet.

Femur Length Stature Estimation

A formula-based estimation where a Caucasian female femur measuring $44.5\,\text{cm}$ corresponds to an approximate height of $164.05\,\text{cm}$.

Paper Bindle

A folded paper container used to securely package dry trace evidence.

Individual Evidence

Evidence that narrows an identity to a single person or thing due to its unique combination of characteristics.

Class Evidence

Material that connects an individual or item to a specific group or category rather than a single source.

Control Sample

A well-known forensic reference sample analyzed alongside evidence to ensure analytical tests are performed properly and results are reliable.

Crime-scene Investigation

A multidisciplinary approach in which scientific and legal professionals collaborate to solve a crime.

Locard's Exchange Principle

A fundamental forensic principle stating that whenever a person comes into contact with an object or another person, a cross-transfer of physical evidence can occur.

Locard Transfer Factors

The three critical variables determining the quantity of transferred material during contact: intensity, duration, and the nature of the materials.

Chain of Custody

The chronological documentation tracking evidence handling to ensure it is not subject to tampering, misconduct, or validity questions, which is mandatory for court admissibility.

Evidence Bag Seal Procedure

Applying tape completely across the flap of an envelope or bag from end to end, followed by the collector's initials and date across the seal.

Direct Evidence

Evidence based on firsthand observation, such as an eyewitness testimony or video surveillance footage, that directly establishes a fact.

Circumstantial Evidence

Evidence that implies a fact without proving it directly, encompassing physical, biological, and trace materials.

Trace Evidence

Small but measurable quantities of physical or biological material found at a scene, such as hairs, fibers, glass, plant material, paint chips, soil, and fingerprints.

Primary Crime Scene

The specific physical location where the actual criminal act took place, of which there is only one per incident.

Secondary Crime Scene

A supporting location associated with the criminal event, of which there can be multiple.

Cross-projection Sketch

A crime scene diagram technique that flattens vertical walls outward adjacent to floor boundaries to depict evidence locations on walls.

Glove Protocol at a Crime Scene

Changing protective gloves between handling separate pieces of evidence or whenever gloves become contaminated by contact with non-sterile objects.

Moist Biological Evidence Packaging

Packaging items such as wet blood swabs into a breathable paper bag to prevent bacterial rotting and mold growth.

Liquid Evidence Packaging

Sealing liquid samples, such as oily substances, inside an unbreakable, airtight container.

Firearm Evidence Packaging

Securing an unloaded firearm in a rigid cardboard box, immobilized with a plastic zip tie secured behind the trigger.

Knife Evidence Packaging

Securing a knife inside a non-airtight cardboard box to immobilize the blade, protecting processing personnel while preserving blood traces.

Grid Search Pattern

A crime scene search conducted like a linear sweep followed by a second sweep at $90^\circ$ to the first; it is the second slowest search method.

Parallel or Linear Search Pattern

The fastest crime scene search pattern, requiring multiple searchers to rapidly cover large, open areas with less detailed examination.

Quadrant Search Pattern

The slowest search pattern, which divides the crime scene into four distinct quadrants for detailed searches conducted by multiple teams.

Spiral Search Pattern

The second fastest search pattern, beginning at a central point and moving outward in expanding concentric circles; ideal for outdoor scenes with few searchers.