TSA Forensic Science

EMT

emergency medical technician

DOA

dead on arrival

Carotid

One of the two main arteries in the neck

ECG

electrocardiogram

Apneic

not breathing

DI

Death Investigator

Supine Position

lying face up

Prone Position

lying face down

Lateral Position

Lying on the left or right side

Rigor mortis

Stiffening in the joints and muscles a few hours after death

Lividity/Livor mortis

Blood pooling in body areas closest to the ground due to gravity causing discoloration.

Anthropophagy

the eating of human flesh by animals/insects

Vitreous chemistry

Analyzing the fluid in the globe of the eye

Algor mortis

Postmortem cooling of the body

subpoena

notice ordering someone to appear in court

Serum

fluid that blood is in without fibrinogen and platelets, which disappear during clotting.

Fibrinogen

a soluble protein present in blood plasma

Accelerant

What is used to start and maintain a fire.

Acid Phosphate

An enzyme in many body tissues; used as screening technique for semen and vaginal tissue. They have higher concentration of Acid Phosphates.

Admissibility of scientific evidence

What evidence can and can't be counted in a court.

Tommie Lee Andrews

First US trial where DNA evidence was admissible.

Anthropology

Study of human remains to help solve a crime.

Arson

Criminal offense of setting fire to property

Asphyxia

Suffocation

Assault

A violent attack

Associative evidence

Seeks to establish an association between people

Autopsy

Examination of a body to find the cause of death.

Benzidine

Chemical that can be used to detect blood very accurately, but is not used because it is very toxic.

Ted Bundy

1969-1975; killed between 40-50 young women; serial killer and rapist

Porous

Having minuscule spaces/holes where air/liquids can pass

Soluble

Able to be dissolved, mostly in water

Elliptical

elongated; longer than it's width

Criminalistics

Examination of evidence in a crime laboratory

Dyadic Death

Homicide followed by the suicide of the perpetrator

Forensic Pathologist

Trained physician who deals with diagnosis of disease and cause of death

Forensic Toxicology

The determination of a toxic substance in human tissue

Forensic Podiatry

Application of specific podiatrist knowledge, involving foot, ankle, and lower body to help solve a case.

Forensic Odontology

Evaluation of dental evidence

Forensic Entomology

Application of the study of the biology of insects.

Forensic Botany

Study of plant-based evidence

Forensic Ballistics

Analysis of evidence relating to fire arms

Steps of fingerprinting

1.Dip brush in powder

2. spread powder over the surface with light strokes

Blood

When initially shed, blood is red, and as it dries, it darkens to red-brown then to brown.

Process of bloodstain identification

1. A screening test to see if the material could be blood

2. A confirmatory test to prove that it is blood

3. A test to prove that it is human blood

4. A typing test to investigate the origin of the blood.

Small blood droplets

Bloodshed from a violent impact. The higher energy the impact the smaller the droplets. On a solid surface, it leaves elongated stain patterns pointing towards the direction of the impact.

Streaks/smudges

Blood from wet stain or bleeding injuries

The same amount of blood hitting different surfaces

Will cause different splatter patterns

Blood splatter analysis includes

Size, shape, and the type of surface they hit

The harder and less porous the surface

The less blood will splatter

The softer and more porous the surface

The more blood will splatter

Drip Stain

Caused by force of gravity only

Transfer stains

A blood contaminated object contacting a surface

How to determine if someone is DOA

1. Check for carotid pulse on side of neck for 60 seconds

2. Meanwhile, cut away chest clothing for ECG

3. If no pulse and apneic, check for rigor mortis on extremities

4. Define dependent lividity

Determining time of death

1. Rigor Mortis

2. Anthropophagy

3. Lividity

4. Vitreous Chemistry

5. After death, the body temperature rises slightly, the gradually lowers to room temperature.

How A crime Scene Investigation is conducted

1. Identify the scene dimensions and identify potential safety hazards

2. Establish security - Close off the crime scene

3. Plan, Communicate, and coordinate - develop theories on what occurred. Develop a strategy to collect the evidence.

4. Conduct a primary survey

5. Document and process the scene - Do the sketch and collect evidence

6. Conduct a secondary survey to make sure you got everything

7. Record and preserve evidence