Forensic Terms - Video Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering key forensic science terms from the provided notes.

Autopsy

The internal and external examination of a body after death to confirm or determine the cause of death and establish pre-death conditions (e.g., last meal and time eaten).

Ballistics

The study of the motion of bullets and their examination after firing to identify distinctive characteristics and to match bullets or fragments.

Blood Spatter

The pattern of blood on a surface; helps determine the blood source, wound side and type, direction and speed of movement, and weapon used.

Bloodstain Interpretation

Analysis of the size, shape, orientation, and distribution of bloodstains to infer events at a crime scene.

Bullet Track

The path of a bullet or projectile through matter (e.g., a body or wall).

Caliber

The diameter of the bore of a rifled firearm, usually given in hundredths of an inch or millimeters (e.g., Colt .45 bore).

Catalyst

A substance that accelerates a chemical reaction without being permanently changed by the reaction.

Composite Drawing

A sketch of a suspect produced from eyewitness descriptions of one or more persons.

Criminology

The study of criminal activity and how it is addressed by the law.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; genetic material in double-helix form used to identify individuals, commonly found in blood and other body fluids.

DNA Electrophoresis

A technique where DNA fragments are placed in a gel and separated by size using an electric field to create a genetic profile.

DNA Profiling

Testing to identify DNA patterns or types to indicate parentage or to include/exclude individuals as sources of biological evidence.

Evidence

Anything that has been used, left, removed, altered, or contaminated during the commission of a crime or investigation.

Fingerprint

The unique patterns created by skin ridges on the palms, sides of fingers, and thumbs.

Forensic Science

The application of science to law.

Gas Chromatograph (GC)

A tool to identify the chemical makeup of substances by burning the sample at high temperatures and charting the gasization point to determine composition.

Gene

A unit of inheritance consisting of a sequence of DNA that determines a particular characteristic.

Hemoglobin

A red blood cell protein that transports oxygen and gives blood its red color.

Latent Fingerprint

A fingerprint deposited by oils and/or perspiration that is not visible to the naked eye; detected with technologies such as lasers.

Lie Detector

Also called a polygraph; measures bodily responses (e.g., respiration) to questions and is often not admissible in court due to questions about reliability.

Luminol

A chemical that detects bloodstains diluted up to 10,000 times and reveals blood that may have been removed, aiding investigations.

Physical Evidence

Any object that can help explain an event or link a crime to a victim or perpetrator.

Point-by-Point Analysis

A method of comparing a known object to an unknown by breaking images into parts and comparing detailed features.

Ridge Characteristics

Ridge endings, bifurcations, enclosures, and other ridge details that must match to establish common origin in fingerprints.

Serology

The study of serums in blood; also known as blood analysis.

Super Glue Fuming

A technique to develop latent fingerprints on non-porous surfaces by exposing oils to glue fumes that react and reveal prints.

Toxicology

The study of poisons and drugs and their effects on humans and animals.

Trace Evidence

Material deposited at a scene detectable through processing (e.g., hairs, fibers) that can link a person to a scene.

Trajectory

The path of a projectile.