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Forensic ScienceForensic Science Flashcards

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7495619233Forensic Sciencethe applications to matters of science to law -As well as. . . The business of providing timely, accurate, and thorough information to all levels of decisions makers in our criminal justice system.0
7495627631Criminalisticsthe scientific examination of physical evidence for legal purposes This term is synomous with forensic science1
7495639016Criminologyincludes the physcological angle, studying the crime scene for motive, traits, and behavior that will help to interpret the evidence2
7495667195Divisions of Crime Lab**Physical Science Unit -chemistry -physics **Geology **Biology Unit(DNA) **Firearms Unit(tool mark) **Document Examination Unit **Photography Unit3
7495714886Edmond Locard**French professor **Considered the father of: criminalistics( understood the importance of nature in crime scenes and other cases.) **Built the world's first forensic laboratory in France in 1910 Exchange Principle Whenever two objects come into contact with each other, traces of each are exchanged.4
7495725596Mathieu OrfilaFather of: toxicology, spainish medical proffessor who developed a test for identifying arsenic in the body5
7495734003Alphonse BertillonFather of: criminal identification6
7495741161Francis GaltonFirst to develop a method of: first to develop a method using fringerprints as a means of identification.4f7
7495746551Dr. Karl LandsteinerAn Austrian physician that identified the A, B, AB, and O blood groups in 1901.8
7495753378Rudolf VirchowA German pathologist who standardized a way to preform autopsies one of two ways still used today. ** His cell theory, ("Omnis cellula e cellula") said that cells arise only from other cells.9
7495765834Eugene Francois VidocqConsidered the father of modern criminal investigation. Perhaps the greatest real life detective. He was a criminal that continually escaped from prison. Eventually, he was asked to lead a group of criminals that helped the police solve crimes. This group became the **Surete** which was the most effective police agency in all of France.10
7495819705scientific method1. Observe a problem 2. Consider a hypothesis or possible solution. 3. Examine, test, and then analyze the evidence. 4. Determine the significance of the evidence. 5. Formulate a theory based on evaluation of the significance of the evidence11
7495864460Recongnitionability to distinguish important evidence from unrelated material(which doesn't belong)12
7495867641Preservationcollection of evidence(properly clothed for the contamtination of other evidence)13
7495871929Identificationuse of scientific testing14
7495874556Classmeasured against those of know standards or controls; If all measurements are equal, then the two samples are considered to have come from the same source or origin.(can you group it?)15
7495878999Individualization-demonstrating that the sample is unique, even among members of the same class.(allows you to indenitfy the one contribuator or person)16
7496450058Interpretationgives meaning to all the information(meaning of the labs)(in the court)17
7496453417Reconstructionthe case events( can be able to put the evidence in chronological order to present the evidence to a jury)(in the court)18
7496460954direct evidenceeyewitness statements, confessions( not always the best because of biased)19
7496465799Circumstantialrequires a indriect judegment or inference about what happened ***Circumstantial evidence is not absolute proof, but does provide a general idea of what happened. It may be more reliable than direct. Circumstantial is used in most cases.20
7496468296Testimonialalso known as direct evidence or Prima Facie evidence( a statement made underoath that may be given)21
7496472126Physicalany object or material that is relevant in a crime22
7496495233Transient Evidencetemporary; easily changed or lost; usually observed by the first officer at the scene23
7496498997Pattern Evidenceproduced by direct contact between a person and an object or between two objects; most are in the form of imprints, indentations, striations, markings fractures or deposits. -skid marks24
7496521104Conditional Evidenceproduced by a specific event or action; important in crime scene reconstruction and in determining the set of circumstances within a particular event **head light25
7496528989Transfer of Evidenceproduced by contact between person(s) or object(s), or between person(s) and object(s)26
7496573145Associative Evidence-items that may associated a victim or suspect with a scene or each other; ie, personal belongings27
7496614057Classcommon group of objects or persons -> blood type28
7496625614Individualcan be identified with a particular person or source(can isolate to one and only source) -> blood dna29
74966638531923 Frye v. United StatesScientific evidence is allowed into the courtroom if it was generallyaccepted by the scientific community. ****The Frye standard does not offer any guidance on reliability30
74966714481993 Daubert v. Dow Admissibility is determined by:***Whether the theory or technique can be tested ***Whether the science has been offered for peer review ***Whether the rate of error is acceptable ***Whether the method at issue enjoys widespread ****acceptence(scientific community-can an indendenat lab concuct the same evidence support in another lab) ***Whether the opinion is relevant to the to the issue31
7496695421probativeactually mean something32
7496697596materialaddress an issue in this particular crime33
7496711925Means—person has the ability to do the crime34
7496711926Motiveperson has a reason to do the crime35
7496716499Opportunityperson had the ability to be at the crime36
7496881470first officer on the sceneA—assess the scene D—detain the witness ask them questions--details to write down A—arrest the perpetrator P—protect the crime scene—take out crime tape and shut of certain areas no matter how large T—take notes—compile data, including presenting any fragile evidence at the scene37
7496901448Medicolegal death investigator-representative from the medical examiner or coroner's office. Responsible for the body.38
7496906642Police investigatorsideally, 5 respond to a scene. Police have jurisdiction of the crime scene.39
7496912818Case Detective-Document the crime scene -Interview the original or reporting patrol officer -Examine crime scene with crime scene investigator (CSI) -Pass on necessary info to assisting detectives40
7496923351Homicide Supervisor-Assign roles to the detectives -Arrange for necessary resources -Keep logs of assignments -Relay into to commanders41
7496948359documentation for the crime scene-notes -photographpy -sketches -videography42
7496968526Link methodBased on the linage theory of Locard; one type of evidence leads to another; experiential, logical and systematic; most common and productive type used43
7496975008Line or strip method-best in large, outdoor scenes44
7496978030Zone method-most effective in houses or buildings; teams are assigned small zones for searching45
7496982339Wheel or ray methodbest on small, circular crime scenes46
7496987362Spiral method-may move inward or outward; best used where there are no physical barriers47
7496995835grid methodbasically a double-line search; effective, but time-consuming48
7497004603Triangulationuses two points at the crime scene to map each piece of evidence49
7497006510Coordinate or grid-divides the crime scene into squares for mapping.50
7497009998Suspended Polar coordinate-coordinate-for use in mapping evidence in a hole51
7497012901Baselineset a north/south line and measures each piece of evidence from this line.52
7497071569Druggist Foldis used with larger pieces of paper folded around larger items to hold trace evidence in place. These are then placed insider other containers such as paper bags, plastic bags, canisters, packets and envelopes depending on the type and size of the evidence.53
7497082485chain of custodyA written record of all people who have had possession of an item of evidence.54
7497091635K-9 programsNarcotics--dogs that find illegal drugs Tracking--dogs that look for a fugitive or suspect that is would be near the crime scene Bomb detection--dogs that look for explosive devices Arson detection--dogs trained to detect various types of accelerants Search and rescue--dogs that look for people who are lost Body detector--dogs used in mass disasters Cadver--dogs trained to detect decomposition Human Remains Specialists--dogs that can detect any human remains.55
7497131819Juan Vucetichan Argentinian police officer, researched the science of fingerprints, corresponded with Galton, then devised his own system of fingerprint classification.56
7497142999Sir Edward HenryHe devised a workable classification system for fingerprints57
7497153615The Bertillon Systemdeveloped the first truly organized system of identifying individuals in 1883. He believed that everyone could be distinguished from one another by key measurements of their body. These measurements became known as berillonage.58
7497167298Thomas JenningsThe first person convicted in the US on fingerprint evidence.59
7497177245Brandon MayfieldA lawyer and convert of Muslim, was held for two weeks before the Spanish investigation revealed that the print instead belonged to Algerian, Ouhnane Daoud.60
7497184839Dactylosocopythe study of fingerprints61
749723373462
7497272449Fingerprint characteristics63
7497300849Arch fingerprintThey do NOT have type delta or cores64
7497306220arch tented archtented arch65
7497313178Loop fingerprintRadial --opens toward the thumb Ulnar --opens toward the "pinky" (little finger) ***Loops must have one delta or one core**.66
7497347471Plain WhorlThis print has 2 delta's and therefore it is a whorl67
7497353363Double loop whorl68
7497355319accidental whorl69
7497368543Primary Identification Numbers fingerprinting70
7497422115comparisonGenerally, criminal courts will accept 8 to 12 points of similarity.71
7497432157IAFISThe Automated Fingerprint Identification System--a computer system for storing and retrieving fingerprints72
7497438299visible fingerprintsMade by fingers touching a surface after the ridges have been in contact with a colored material such as blood, paint, grease, or ink.73
7497445851Plastic PrintsRidge impressions left on a soft material such as putty, wax, soap, or dust.74
7497458976Latent Printsare those that are "hidden" and are not visible to the naked eye. These prints consist only of the natural secretions of human skin and require treatment to cause them to become visible.75
7497471362Lifting latent printspowders, iodine,Ninhydrin,sliver nitrate, cyanoacrylate76
7497478597powdersadhere to both water and fatty deposits. Choose a color to contrast the background.77
7497483629Iodine--fumes react with oils and fats to produce a temporary yellow brown reaction. Iodine crystals sublime (go directly from solid to vapor).78
7497487170Ninhydrin--reacts with amino acids to produce a purple reaction.(works good with paper and styrofoam and takes a couple days and must be a little moist)79
7497491154Silver nitrateSilver nitrate--react with chlorides to form silver chloride, a material which turns gray when exposed to light.(does a lot of damage and should not be first choice)80
7497494169Cyanoacrylate- "super glue" fumes react with water and other fingerprint constituents to form a hard, whitish deposit.(used on irregular surfaces)81
7499590120palmlines can be identified and may be used against suspects82
7499598373footprintsare taken at birth as a means of identification83
7499604071accidentalsare marks made on the soles of the shoes that would make the print unique84
7499612742biometrics*Use of some type of body metrics for the purpose of identification. --controls entry or access to computers or other structures; identifies persons for security; helps prevent identity theft or controls social services fraud85
7499766288Five Prongs of Daubert-Testability -General Acceptence -General Review -Known or Potential ErrorRate -Maintenance of Standard & Controls86
7499772537testabilityA critical evaluation process that supports or refutes a hypothesis87
7499778653types of handguns-revolvers -pistols88
7499783500types of Shoulder guns-Rifles -Shot Guns89
7499789657toolThe harder of two objects that comes into forceful contact with one another, resulting in the softer object being marked90
7499797102tool markFeatures imparted on an object by the contact and force exerted from a tool. -impressed -striated91
7499803662impressed tool markFeatures produced when a tool contacts an object with enough compressive force that it leaves an impression.92
7499815195Parts of a handgun93
7499887378striated toolmarkFeatures produced when a tool contacts an object with lateral force and motion.94
7499943415caliberCaliber is the diameter of the bullet, specifically the projectile, commonly called the slug.95
7499948387class characteristicsGeneral and/or measurable features of a specimen which indicate a Restricted group source. They result from design factors, and are therefore determined prior to manufacture.96
7499952482Individual CharacteristicsMarks or features produced by the random imperfections or irregularities of tool surfaces. These characteristics can be used to individually associate a tool to a toolmark. -from abuse -wear from use also97
7499977448Range of conclusions for identifying firearms-identification -inconclusive -elimination98
7499984687identificationIf the quality and character of the toolmark have sufficient detail, can be concluded based on the correspondence of individual characteristics99
7499991253inconclusiveIf the quality and character of the toolmark are lacking, an examiner may not be able to make an identification or elimination.100
7500001428elimination-lack of characteristics -If disagreement in individual characteristics of an exceptional nature exists, an elimination conclusion may be the appropriate response.101
7500012783Daubert Decision-is Testable -is Generally Accepted -is Peer Reviewed -has Known Error Rates maintains Standards & Controls102

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