Forensic Science Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from the forensic science lecture notes.

Crime

Unlawful act punishable by a state.

Crime Scene

Any location that may be associated with a committed crime.

Purpose of Crime Scene Examination

Document as thoroughly as possible, locate potential evidence, and collect and preserve evidence so it can be successfully analyzed.

Evidence

Item or info that you can present. Makes the existence of a fact more or less probable.

Good Evidence

Info derived from physical objects that allows connections between person to person, person to place, etc.

Associative Evidence

Provides degree of association between 2 people or places; considered circumstantial or corroborative.

Conclusive Evidence

Provides definite association (e.g., DNA presented statistically).

Persistence

How long stuff will last after it's been transferred.

Samaritans

People that get involved; can become victims or provide assistance.

Police Photographer

Captures scene before anyone touches anything.

CSCO (Crime Scene Coordinator)

Responsible for logistics (equipment, supplies, duration).

Chain of Custody

The ability to trace and safeguard the sample through all steps from collection, storage, analysis to final presentation of the result in Court.

Contamination

The transfer of possible evidentiary material unrelated to the crime scene.

Cold Zone

Clean space inside outer cordon for meetings, breaks, meals, etc.

Warm Zone

Transition zone for donning protective clothing; storing equipment and processing exhibits; can be split into dirty/clean areas.

Hot Zone

Actual scene requiring examining; anti-contamination protocols.

Cardboard Boxes (Evidence)

Allows the evidence to breathe; DNA does not like moist environments.

Fingerprint Transfer

Typically requires a smooth non-porous surface to be transferrable.

Role of the Forensic Scientist

Identify potential relevant evidence, trace biological/physical evidence, collection/packaging of samples, liaise with experts, produce written statements.

BPA (Bloodstain Pattern Analysis)

Event involving shedding of blood creating a distinctive pattern.

Spatter Stains

Any stain that results from airborne droplets when external force is applied.

Transfer Stains

Blood that has come off one object to another via contact.

Drip Spatter Pattern

Pattern resulting from a liquid that dripped into another liquid (at least one is blood).

Feathering

Indicates some sort of movement; very light swipe of blood.

Wipe

Preexisting stain altered by something coming into contact.

Swipe

Something with blood transfers onto another object.

Clandestine Grave

Hidden site where homicide victim body has been found; unrecorded burial.

Chain of Custody

The ability to trace and safe guard the sample through all steps from collection, storage, analysis to final presentation of the result in Court

Test Impression (Shoeprint)

Shoeprint made from suspect shoe; demonstrates sole pattern, wear and random features; used when making a comparison.

Electrostatic Lifts

Dust or residues left on clean surfaces; dry origin prints; non-destructive for wet prints; porous or non-porous surfaces; usually first method attempted.

Casting 3-D Impressions

Use dental stone; alternatives are silicone or wax for some circumstances; relatively cheap, strong, gives good detail, relatively easy to use, can be cleaned.

Amido Black

Binds to proteins; chemical enhancement for blood.

Screening Test

Indicate the presence of something but do not confirm it (confirmatory test)

Catalytic Blood Test

Relies on the iron in the blood to produce a color change in the test.

Drug analysis of hair

Usually done some time after the event.

A central column of cells

Hair Morphology- the medulla

outer layer of the hair shaft

cuticle

If youre going to compare hair

Use exactly same conditions same light etc

Hair tests are very expensive

Have to justify expense

Regardless of what happens at a scene the person will

100 % will walk on the floor More often than not it will be there and will be useful

Impressions evidence

Formed on one object as a result of coming into contact with another object

Random features

Produced accidentally

Sealing Body Fluid Evidence

Most often sealed in paper/cardboard; potential for deteriation/loss in a plastic package.

LiDAR

3-D representation of scanned area.

Chain of Custody

The ability to trace and safe guard the sample through all steps from collection, storage, analysis to final presentation of the result in Court Documentation Initiated from the time of collection (O/C Scene)

glass

70% of glass that breaks goes forward 30% come back to the breaker = back scattering

on clothes etc

This is what is targeted --> on clothes etc

shoes

Does everyone have glass on them?

Soda lime glass

Used in almost all windows and bottles Can distinguish

Shoes

Glass in soles of shoes can last for months