Forensics Vocab Unit 1

civil law

the system of law concerned with private relations between members of a community rather than criminal, military, or religious affairs

criminal law

a system of law concerned with the punishment of those who commit crimes

misdemeanor

less serious crime than a felony

felony

a crime, typically one involving violence, regarded as more serious than a misdemeanor

probable cause

reasonable grounds for making a search, pressing charges, etc.

miranda rights

the procedural safeguards established to protect individuals from self-incrimination during police questioning

expert witness

a person who is permitted to testify at a trial because of special knowledge in a particular field that is relevant to the case

admissible

acceptable or valid, especially as evidence in a court of law

corroborate

confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding

exonerate

absolve someone from blame for a fault or wrongdoing

probative value

having the quality or function of proving or demonstrating something

forensic science

the application of science and technology to criminal and civil laws