A | B |
expert witness | individual whom the court determines to possess knowledge relevant to the trial that is not expected of the average layperson |
Locard's exchange principle | two objects come into contact with one another, they exchange materials between them |
scientific method | process that uses strict guidelines to ensure careful and systematic collection, organization, and analysis of information |
forensics science | application of science to the criminal and civil laws enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system |
criminalistics | identify evidence, and link suspect, victim, and crime scene through evidence |
forensic odontology | use of dental science to identify unknown human remains and bite marks, using both physical and biological dental evidence |
pathology | study of disease through autopsy, investigate circumstances surrounding death |
forensic anthropology | identify individuals killed in disasters such as plane crashes, explosions, fires, and other tragedies resulting in the loss of life and mutilation of bodies |
forensic psychiatry | used to determine determine competency to stand trial, evaluate behavior disorders, examine behavior patterns to build criminal behavioral profile |
questioned documents | proves the facts concerning documents and related material |
toxicology | study of harmful effects of chemicals or drugs on living systems |
Mathieu Orfila | the father of forensic toxicology |
Alphonse Bertillion | devised the first scientific system of personal identification in 1879 |
Francis Galton | conducted the first definitive study of fingerprints and their classification |
Leone Lattes | developed a procedure to determine blood type from dried bloodstains |
Calvin Goddard | used a comparison microscope to determine if a particular gun fired a bullet |
Albert Osborn | developed the fundamental principles of document examination |
Walter McCrone | utilized microscopy and other analytical methodologies to examine evidence |
Hans Gross | wrote the first treatise describing the application of scientific principles to the field of criminal investigation |
Edmond Locard | incorporared Gross’ principles within a workable crime laboratory |
Sir Alec Jeffreys | developed the first DNA profiling test in 1984 |
anthropometry | series of body measurements to ID individuals |
Physical Science Unit | uses chemistry, physics, earth science to test drugs, glass, paint, explosives, soils |
Biology Unit | uses biology, biochemistry for DNA profiling, blood, hair, fiber, plant material analysis |
Firearms Unit | uses chemistry, physics to study firearms, discharged bullets and ammo, discharge residues |
Document Examination Unit | uses chemistry, psychometrics to do handwriting analysis, paper and ink analysis |
Photography Unit | uses physics, chemistry for digital imaging, infrared, x-ray, ultraviolet photography |
Toxicology Unit | uses chemistry, biology to test fluids/organs for drugs, poison usually in Medical Examiner’s Office |
Latent Fingerprint Unit | uses chemistry to uncover and identify fingerprints |
Polygraph Unit | uses physics, biology to verify witness veracity, usually used during interrogation |
Voiceprint Analysis | uses physics to use of sound spectrograph |
Evidence-Collection Unit | personnel specially trained to collect and preserve crime scene evidence |
forensic entomology | study of insects and their relationship to a crime scene |
forensic engineering | concerned with failure analysis, accident reconstruction, causes and origins of fires and explosions |
forensic computer/digital analysis | involves identifying, collecting, preserving, and examining information on computers and other digital devices (cell phones, PDAs etc.) |
Frye Standard (Frye v.US | set guidelines for the admissibility of scientific evidence, evidence must be “generally accepted” by the scientific community |