Scientific Method & Forensics
Inductive Reasoning
Drawing conclusions based on probabilities
Deductive Reasoning
Drawing conclusions based on true premises
Observation & Question
First step in the scientific method to observe a natural phenomena and question why it is happening
Dependent Variable
Item that changes because the independent variable changed
Controlled Variables
Items that are kept the exact same in the experiment
Quantitative Data
Numerical data
Modified Scientific Method for Forensics
Observation & Question, Collect Data, Analyze Data, Conclusion
Scientific Method
Procedure for explaining the events of nature in a reproducible way
Control
Reference level of the independent variable- the 'normal'
Pie chart
Shows part-to-whole relationship
Scenario Building
Storytelling of what happened at a crime scene, should not be done on scene before processing or analyzing any physical evidence
Scientific Research
Submission of research to a peer-reviewed journal, propelling humanity forward in various fields
Independent Variable
What is changed by the scientist, corresponds to the question and hypothesis
Qualitative Data
Categories of data
Individual evidence
Characteristics pointing to one person, e.g., DNA found on murder victim
Class evidence
Characteristics shared by a group, e.g., size 9 Nike Air Jordan shoe prints found
Limitations on Forensic Science
Compiles physical evidence and has experts interpret the evidence, with admissible testimony if there is general scientific consensus
Data
the facts gathered through the experiment
Science
the use of evidence to construct testable explanations and predictions of natural phenomena, as well as the knowledge generated through this process
Formal Science
Branch including Mathematics, Computer Science
Experiment
A scientific procedure undertaken to test a hypothesis
Conclusion
A summary of what was learned from an experiment, including data explained, significance of results, and improvements to experiment
Scientific Theory
A well-substantiated explanation of the natural world on how or why something works
Principles of Parsimony
Aka Occam's Razor, the simplest explanation is usually the best
English word theory
An idea for an explanation, not the same as scientific theory
Hypothesis
An idea or explanation about the natural world that can be tested through experiments or observations
Forensic Science
Application of science to connect a violation of law to a specific criminal, criminal act, or behavior and victim
Line graph
Best to show changes over time, with independent variable on the X-axis and dependent variable on the Y-axis
Bar graph
Best when used for categories comparison
Natural Science
Branch including Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Social Science
Branch including Economics, psychology, sociology
