Chapters 1-2 Forensics

How is information processed in the brain?

Information from our senses → What we pay attention to → Perception → Short term memory → Long term memory

What type of reasoning is used in forensics?

deductive

What is the innocence project?

The first time that DNA was used to examine cases to decide if the person is guilty or innocent (post-conviction)

What % of people did the innocent project find was actually convicted from wrong eyewitness testimony?

87%

What is trace evidence?

pet hair, hair, fingerprints, soil, blood, fibers, etc.

What is Locard’s principle?

cross transfer of physical evidence can occur when a person comes into contact with an object

What is direct evidence?

firsthand observations

What is circumstantial evidence?

indirect evidence that can be used to imply a fact

What is physical evidence?

impressions, casings, glass, weapons, etc.

What is biological evidence?

DNA, fibers, pollen, etc.

What is class evidence?

narrows down to a group of people

What is individual evidence?

narrows down to one person (usually DNA)

What are the 7 S’s of crime scene investigations?

Securing the scene, separating the witnesses, scanning the scene, seeing the scene, sketching the scene, searching for evidence, securing evidence

What is chain of custody?

chronological documentation of evidence from collection to presentation

What is a datem point?

A permanent reference point

What are the paths of crime scene collection?

Spiral, grid, strip, quadrant, zone