Intro to Forensic Science Vocab.

Forensic Science

Application of scientific knowledge as it pertains to the law.

Matthieu Orfila

Father of Toxicology.

Alphose Bertillion

Father of Anthropometry.

Francis Galton

Father of Fingerprinting.

Calvin Goddard

Father of Ballistics, helped develop the comparison microscope and established the first crime lab in the US.

Albert S. Osborn

Father of questioned documents.

Edmond Locard

Established the "Principle of Exchange".

Locard's Exchange Principle

Every crime leaves a trace of evidence that could link the crime and criminal. In his own words, "It is impossible for a criminal to act, especially considering the intensity of a crime, without leaving traces of his presence".

Frye Standard

A test to determine the admissibility of scientific evidence. It provides that expert opinion based on a scientific technique is admissible only where the technique is generally accepted as reliable in the relevant scientific community.

Daubert Ruling

Revision of the Frye Standard when expert scientific evidence is being presented. Daubert Ruling requires more rigorous application of the scientific method including hypothesis testing, estimates of error rates, peer

Forensic Entomology

The study of life cycles of insects that feed on the flesh of the dead, to establish time of death and occasionally identify chemicals present in a person's body at the time of death.

Forensic Pathology

The branch of medical science that uses medical knowledge for legal purposes.

DEA

Federal agency responsible for enforcing laws and regulations governing narcotics and controlled substances goal is to immobilize drug trafficking organizations.

FBI

Federal Bureau of Investigation an agency of the Justice Department responsible for investigating violations of Federal laws.

ATF

The law enforcement and tax collection agency of the Treasury Department that enforces federal laws concerning alcohol and tobacco products and firearms and explosives and arson.

USPIS

United States Postal Inspection Service has a specialized crime lab which includes a Questioned Documents Unit, Fingerprint Unit, Physical Science Unit and a Digital Evidence Unit.

Crime Lab

Is a scientific laboratory, using primarily forensic science for the purpose of examining evidence from criminal cases.

Forensic Anthropology

Is the application of the science of physical anthropology and human osteology (the study of the human skeleton) in a legal setting, most often in criminal cases where the victim's remains are in the advanced stages of decomposition. A forensic anthropologist can also assist in the identification of deceased individuals whose remains are decomposed, burned, mutilated or otherwise unrecognizable.

Forensic Psychiatry

Is a sub-specialty of psychiatry and criminology. aforensic psychiatrist proves service; such as determination of competency to stand trial.

Forensic Odontology

Is the proper handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence as part of a criminal case.

Forensic Engineering

Is the investigation of materials, products, structures or components that fail or do not operate or function as intended, causing personal injury or damage to property.

Deductive Reasoning

Is reasoning which constructs or evaluates deductive arguments. Deductive arguments are attempts to show that a conclusion necessarily follows from a set of premises.