crime scene
Accelerant
a booster such as gasoline, kerosene, or paint thinner added to fire to speed its progress
standard of comparison
a model, measure, or object with which evidence is compared to determine whether both come from the same source.
Forensic Specialist
a person specifically trained to ....... and to make scientific tests and assessments of ...... of physical evidence
zone search pattern
a search pattern in which the area is divided into four quadrants, each of which is then examined using one of the other patterns
Pie/wheel search pattern
a search pattern in which the area is divided into pie-shaped sections, usually six in number. Each section is then searched usually by variation of the strip pattern.
strip search pattern
a search pattern in which the space is to be searched is divided into a series of lanes. One or more searches proceeds up and down each lane, continuing until the area has been completely searched.
Grid search pattern
a search pattern that consists of two strip searches, the second perpendicular to the first. it allows the area to be viewed from two angles.
Spiral search pattern
a search pattern typically used in outdoor areas an normally launched by a single person. He or she begins at the outermost corner and walks in a decreasing spiral toward the central point.
cross-projection method
a sketching method in which the ceiling appears to open up like the lid of a hinged box , with the four walls opening outward. Measurements are then indicated from a point on the floor to the wall
rectangular coordinates method
a sketching method that involves measuring the distance of an object from two fixed lines at right angles to each other. IT is often used to locate objects in a room.
compass-point method
a sketching method that requires a protractor or some method of measuring angles between two lines. one point is selected as the origin ans a line extending out from the origin becomes an axis from which angles can be measured.
Triangulation Method
a sketching method that requires measuring the distance of an object along a straight line from two widely separated, fixed reference points
baseline method
a sketching method that takes measurements along and from a single reference line called a baseline which can be established by using a length of string, a chalk line, or some other convenient means
evidence
any items that helps to establish the facts of a related criminal case. It may be found at the scene of the crime, or on the victims, or taken from the suspects or the suspect's environment
crime scene
any place where evidence may be located and gathered to help explain events; where a crime scene took place
Grid Method
basically a double-line search; effective, but time-consuming
Line or strip method
best in large, outdoor scenes
Wheel or ray method
best on small, circular crime scenes
Spiral method
may move inward or outward; best used where there are no physical barriers
Zone method
most effective in houses or buildings; teams are assigned small zones for searching
chain of custody
proof of the possession of evidence from the moment it was found until the moment it is offered in evidence
modus operandi
the method of operation that a criminal uses to commit a crime. Latin word for "made of operation"
criminalist
A person specifically trained to collect evidence and to make scientific tests and assessments of various types of physical evidence