UNIT 1 VOCAB

Forensic science- The application of scientific methods to criminal cases.

Criminalistics- The application of scientific methods to evaluate physical evidence from a crime scene for use in criminal proceedings.

Odontology - Dentists who specialize in identification perform bite mark analysis and dental identification when there is nobody identification.

Entomology- Uses insects to determine the time of death and location of the corpse.

Pathology- Studies medical history, performs autopsies and collects medical and trace evidence from a body.

Ballistics- Examines firearms, discharged bullets, cartridge cases, and shotgun shells.

Polygraphy - often incorrectly referred to as a lie detector test, is a pseudoscientific device or procedure that measures and records several physiological indicators such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while a person is asked and answers a series of questions.

Toxicology- Medical examiners and coroner’s offices determine toxic substances in the body, including drugs and poisons.

Forensic Anthropology- Identification of a person’s characteristics such as sex, age, and race, depending on body remains.

Serology- Identification of blood and other fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, and saliva.

Statutory Law- Legislative acts that declare, command, or prohibit.

Criminal Law- Regulation and enforcement of rights, setting acceptable limits of conduct in society.

Common Law- Body of law made up of judicial opinions and precedents (stare decisis).

Civil Law- Noncriminal suits brought to protect a civil right or private matter.

Equity Law- Filed as a preventative measure; e.g., restraining orders.

Administrative Law- Established by agencies such as the IRS or Social Security Administration.

Indict- To charge with a crime by the finding or presentment of a grand jury in due form of law.

Arraignment- The first act in a criminal proceeding where the defendant is brought before the court to hear charges and enter a plea (usually within 72 hours of arrest; plea options include guilty, not guilty by reason of insanity, double jeopardy, or nolo contendere).

Preliminary Hearing- No jury. Right to cross-examine and produce favorable evidence. Judge decides to proceed to trial, dismiss, or reduce charges due to insufficient evidence.

Probable Cause- A situation in which a reasonable and prudent person, viewing available information, would conclude that a crime has been committed and that the suspect committed it.

Nolo Contendere- Latin for “no contest.” Does not accept or deny responsibility for charges but agrees to accept punishment.

Miranda Rights- Miranda Rights eliminated confessions as a way to show someone is guilty.

Double Jeopardy- 5th Amendment prohibits anyone from being prosecuted twice for the same crime.

Bail- A sum of money or property deposited to ensure the defendant returns for trial.

Plea Bargain- A legal arrangement where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest in exchange for concessions from the prosecutor.

Misdemeanor- A minor crime, less than a felony, punishable by no more than one year in jail. Fines usually range from $250 to $2,500.

Felony- More serious crimes that carry stiffer penalties, punishable by more than one year in prison, life imprisonment, or the death penalty.

Violation- Any breach of a law, classified as an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony.

Evidence- Material collected during a legal search of a suspect's premises.

Expert Witness- A witness qualified by the court as an expert in a particular field to assist the judge or jury in understanding a method or technology at issue.

Class vs. Individual Evidence- Class characteristics are common to a group of objects or persons. Individual characteristics can be identified with a particular person or object.

Locard Principle- The perpetrator will bring something into the crime scene and leave with something from it.

Daubert Ruling- A rule of evidence regarding the admissibility of expert witness testimony.

Frye Standard- Used to determine the admissibility of an expert's scientific testimony and other types of evidence.

CSI Effect- How crime shows affect public opinion and jurors, emphasizing forensic evidence.

Deductive Reasoning- The investigator reasons about the crime by constructing truths based on axiomatic assumptions.

Inductive Reasoning- The process of drawing general conclusions based on many clues or pieces of evidence.

Probative- The probability of evidence to reach its proof purpose of a relevant fact in issue.

Material- Material evidence from crime or accident scenes, seeking defects in those materials that might explain why an accident occurred.

Booking- police procedure following arrest that records basic information about suspect, a photograph, and fingerprints and perhaps includes a lineup