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Introduction to Forensic Science Flashcards

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10506267058Statuatory Lawdefine written laws, usually enacted by a legislative body.0
10506267059Misdemeanora nonindictable offense, regarded in the US (and formerly in the UK) as less serious than a felony.1
10506267060FelonyInfraction, Nolo Contendere, Frye Standard, Preliminary Hearing, Junk Science, Criminalistics, Evidence, Palynology, Pathology, Polygraphy, Criminal Law, Common Law, Violation, Civil Law, Booking, Probative, Daubert Ruling, Indict, Arraignment, Expert Witness, Hearsay, Material, Bail, Grand Jury, Elements, Probable Cause2
10506267061InfractionThe definition of an infraction is a violation of the law that is less serious than a misdemeanor, or is a violation of rules you are supposed to follow. An example of an infraction is when you are speeding and given a traffic ticket.3
10506267062Preliminary HearingWithin some criminal justice systems, a preliminary hearing, preliminary examination, evidentiary hearing or probable cause hearing is a proceeding, after a criminal complaint has been filed by the prosecutor, to determine whether there is enough evidence to require a trial.4
10506267063Criminalisticsanother term for forensics5
10506267064Evidencethe available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.6
10506267065Pathologythe science of the causes and effects of diseases, especially the branch of medicine that deals with the laboratory examination of samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic purposes.7
10506267066Polygraphyan instrument for recording variations of several different pulsations (as of physiological variables) simultaneously — compare lie detector.8
10506267067Criminal LawCriminal law or penal law is the body of law that relates to crime. It regulates social conduct and proscribes whatever is threatening, harmful, or otherwise endangering to the property, health, safety, and moral welfare of people. It includes the punishment of people who violate these laws.9
10506267068Common Lawthe part of English law that is derived from custom and judicial precedent rather than statutes. Often contrasted with statutory law.10
10506267069Violationthe action of violating someone or something.11
10506267070Civil LawCivil law, civilian law or Roman law is a legal system originating in Europe, intellectualized within the framework of late Roman law, and whose most prevalent feature is that its core principles are codified into a referable system which serves as the primary source of law12
10506267071IndictTo accuse of wrongdoing; charge. a book that indicts modern values. (law) To make a formal accusation or indictment against (a party) by the findings of a jury, especially a grand jury.13
10506267072Arraignmentthe action of arraigning someone in court.14
10506267073Expert Witnessa person who is permitted to testify at a trial because of special knowledge or proficiency in a particular field that is relevant to the case.15
10506267074Hearsayinformation received from other people that one cannot adequately substantiate; rumor.16
10506267075Materialimportant; essential; relevant.17
10506267076BailBail is cash, a bond, or property that an arrested person gives to a court to ensure that he or she will appear in court when ordered to do so.18
10506267077Grand JuryA grand jury is a legal body that is empowered to conduct official proceedings to investigate potential criminal conduct and to determine whether criminal charges should be brought. A grand jury may compel the production of documents and may compel the sworn testimony of witnesses to appear before it.19
10506267078Probable Causereasonable grounds (for making a search, pressing a charge, etc.).20
10506267093Analytical SkillsThe ability to identify a concept or problem, to isolate its component parts, to organize information for decision making, to establish criteria for evaluation, and to draw appropriate conclusions21
10506267094Deductive ReasoningDeriving the consequences from the facts using a series of logical steps22
10506267095Eyewitnessa person who has seen someone or something and can communicate these facts.23
10506267096FactA statement of information that can be verified24
10506267097Forensicrelating to the application of scientific knowledge to legal questions25
10506267098Logicalcapable of or characterized by clear or valid reasoning from facts26
10506267099Observationwhat a person perceives using his or her senses (touch, sight, sound, taste, and smell)27
10506267100Opinionpersonal belief founded on judgment rather than on direct experience or knowledge28
10506267101Perceptioninterpreting information received from the senses29
10506267079Forensic Investigatorfirst, observes, collects, interprets and reports observations clearly without making judgements as to the importance of each piece of evidence30
10506267080how information is processed in the brainsenses --> what we pay attention to--> perception-->short term memory--> long term memory.31
10506267081understanding the brains limitationshelps us learn to improve our observation skills, and inspires us to capture events quickly through photo's and writing information down32
10506267082Innocence ProjectProject which re-examined post conviction cases often based on faulty eyewitness accounts using DNA to clear innocent people.33
10506267083factors affecting accuracy of witnesses observation skillsalone or in a group, number of people, type of activity, how much activity, emotional state and level of anxiety34
10506267084how to be a good observerexamine your environment systematically, don't judge small details to be unimportant, be aware of jumping to conclusions, write down and photograph memories and evidence35
10506267085forensics scienceis not debate, it relies on evidence and uses fact to help in legal matters36
10506267086strategies for building observation skillsPractice logic puzzles and games, increase focus with meditation, complete memory exercises like recalling details from your day, try new things and learn through trial and error37
10506267087techniques to improve a police line upBlind/Blinded administration Line up Composition/Blank line-ups Sequential viewing Confidence Statements38
10506267088forms of evidencePhysical Documentary Judicial notice Testimonial39
10506267089Cross Race Effecta phenomenon in which people are better at recognizing faces of their own race rather than those of other races.40
10506267090qualitativeThings you notice using your senses that can't be measured41
10506267091quantitativeMeasurable characteristics Anything that can be measured with something like a ruler, scale, thermometer, or graduated cylinder42
10506267092inferencean idea formed from facts or evidence.43

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