chapter 3 forensics

class physical evidence

general with low certainty and can only link to a group since its mass produced and widely found

individual physical evidence

high degree of certainty and can be traced to a single source because of its unique features

examples of class physical evidence

blood type, hair/eye color, paint, fibers, new shoes/tires/tools

examples of class characteristic physical evidence

fingerprints, DNA, shoes/tires/tools that have nicks or dents from wear and usage, fired bullets

main difference between class and individual evidence

degree of certainty about what the source of the evidence is

direct evidence

physical recording of events, eye witness who saw/has info about evidence gives testimony

transient evidence

temporary, easily changed or lost

examples of transient evidence

odor, temp. imprints/indentations/patterns

pattern analysis

aids reconstruction, can’t be packacked, must be documented, and is often destroyed after collection

reconstruction patterns

blood spatter, glass fracture, tracks and trails, tire/scrub marks, clothing and articles, projectile trajectory, fire burn marks, gunshot residue, wound/injury/damage

conditional evidence

produced by specific actions or events at scene

examples of conditional evidence

lights on/off, door open/closes, locked/unlocked, position of body/object

indirect evidence

implies a fact, allowing inferences about an event or circumstance

physical evidence

any object that can help prove a crime occurred