evidence fs unit 2

Trace Evidence

evidence that is not easily visible; contrasted with gross evidence

Latent Evidence

evidence that is hidden, small, or indirect, such as a fingerprint or small amounts of blood

Gross Evidence

evidence that can easily be seen; contrasted with trace evidence

Direct Evidence

a firsthand observation, such as eyewitness testimony, surveillance videos, police dashboard videos, or a confession

Class Evidence

physical evidence associated with a class of individuals or objects

Putrefication

Stage of postmortem, body becomes bloated with gas

Rigor Mortis

State of postmortem, the process in a corpse of rigidity and then relaxation of the muscles; translation is "death stiffening"

Dry Decay

Stage of postmortem, body lacks moisture

Livor Mortis

the flow of blood in a corpse to the lowest parts by gravity and the discoloration of tissue; translation is "death color"

Forensic Entomologist

Identifies the species of insects found on a corpse to determine time of death

Forensic Anthropologist

a subdiscipline of anthropology, focusing on identifying individuals by examining their skeletal remains

Forensic Ondonotology

the study of teeth and jaws as it relates to identifying individuals involved in crimes or accidental death

Manner of Death

how a person died: natural causes, homicide, suicide, or accidental

Cause of Death

why a person died; for instance, a person may die from a heart attack or a stroke, or from a gunshot wound

Mechanism of Death

the body function that failed, leading to a particular cause of death; for example, a victim whose cause of death was gunshot wound may have bled to death

Ballistics

the scientific study of firearms and projectiles that includes any projectile from stones to cannons and missiles

Rifling

grooving on the inside of the barrel of a rifle or a handgun that imparts spin to the bullet

contact blood

also called transfer blood, the transfer of blood from one object to another, as a bloody handprint on a wall

passive blood

blood that falls from the wound by the force of gravity alone

projected blood

blood that is forced out by an impact or internal pressure

backspatter

also called blowback, blood that has hit an object, such as a wall, and has traveled back to hit the victim or another object