FORENSICS FINAL EXAM

Density gradient tube

A glass tube filled from bottom to top with liquids of successively lighter densities; used to determine the density distribution of soil

excited state

A state in which an atom has a higher potential energy than it has in its ground state

line spectrum

A type of emission spectrum showing a series of lines separated by black areas. Each line represents a definite wavelength or frequency

strip or line search

All of the members of the CSI team form a line. They walk in a straight line, at the same speed, from one end of crime scene to the other.

What is the rule when combining water and acid in the lab

Always add acid to water to prevent acid from splashing up into your face... remember alphabetical A W

Mathew Effect

An effect where a renowned scientist gets more credit for current work than is actually deserved due to past accomplishments

Document Examiner

Analyzes materials such as ink, paper, and toners to determine the legitimacy of the material

Forensic odontologist

Applies the principles of dental science to the law

Forensic Engineer

Assists when structural failures occur or maintenance and manufacturing procedures are in question, reconstructs accidents, explores causes of fires & explosions

isotope

Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons

grid search

CSI's first walk horizontally across the scene then cross back over it vertically resulting in a grid search

Pyrolisis

Chemical decomposition by the action of heat

pyrolysis gas chromatography

Compares the polymeric make-up of paint binders

Diaphragm

Controls the amount of light passing through the stage

Alphonse Bertillon

Developed a system of body measurements for individual identification of a person

Sir Alec Jeffreys

Developed the first DNA profiling test

Louis Lattes

Developed the first blood typing test for dried blood stains

Karl Landsteiner

Discovered that blood can be grouped into different types, A, B, AB and O.

Individual characteristics/evidence

Evidence that can be linked to a unique, specific source with a very high degree of probability (i.e. ridge characteristics on a fingerprint, striations of a bullet, irregular edges of paper torn in half and puzzle-fitted, Nuclear DNA typing, wear pattern on shoe tread, paint chip fits in damaged part of suspect's vehicle)

Class characteristics/evidence

Evidence that can only be associated with a group and never a single source (i.e. ABO blood typing, type of glass compared to broken crime scene window, fibers, hairs without DNA analysis, soil, standard automotive paint layers)

demonstrative evidence

Evidence that is not based on witness testimony but that demonstrates information relevant to the crime, such as maps, X-rays, and photographs; includes real evidence involved in the crime.

Marcello Malpighi

He is credited with the first recorded notes about characteristics of fingerprints

Stage clips

Holds the slide in place

Proof beyond a reasonable doubt

In order for a jury to convict, they must believe that the evidence presented against the defendant was far greater than the evidence presented for his innocence.

IAFIS

Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System

PDQ

International Forensic Automotive Paint Data Query

stare decisis

Let the decision stand; decisions are based on precedents from previous cases

emission spectrum

Light emitted from a source and separated into its component colors or frequencies

Walter McCrone

Made significant contributions using the microscope

fine adjustment knob

Moves the stage slightly to sharpen the image

course adjustment knob

Moves the stage up and down for focusing

beta rays

Negatively charged particles

atomic mass

Number of protons and neutrons

medical examiner

Perform autopsies and determine the cause and time of death

stake maker

Person or organization with a legitimate interest in a given situation

alpha rays

Positively charged particles

morals

Practical applications of ethical principles; modes of conduct

Accreditation

Proof a crime lab is competent and credible in evidence examination

ethics

Says what we should do; study of ideal behavior and principles which guide that behavior

Values

Standards or ideals which serve as guides by which we live and make decisions

Forensic Serologist

Studies DNA, blood types, and heredity and applies them to evidence

toxicologist

Studies the effects of drugs and chemicals on the human body

Forensic Anthropologist

Studies the human skeleton system mainly to help identify deceased remains that are skeletonized

Stage

Supports the slide

Forensic Science

The application of scientific knowledge to questions of civil and criminal law.

defense attorney

The burden of proving the defendant's guilt in a criminal case is always the responsibility of whom

emission spectrometry

The elemental composition of the color pigmentation, chemical composition of the binder and solvent.

electron orbital

The path of electrons as they move around the nuclei of atoms; each orbital is associated with a particular electronic energy level

Radioactivity

The process in which some substances spontaneously emit radiation

Forensic Entomologist

The study of insects and their relationship to criminal investigation

Locard's Exchange Principle

Whenever two objects come into contact with one another, there is exchange of materials between them.

the judge

Who is responsible for determining the admissibility and reliability of scientific evidence during the trial and is known as the "gatekeeper"

Criminalist

Works primarily with the physical evidence to analyze, identify, and interpret items that may help solve a crime

Hans Gross

Wrote the first treatise describing the application of science to criminal investigation

plastic fingerprint

a 3D fingerprint made in soft material such as clay, soap, or putty

electromagnetic radiation

a form of energy that exhibits wavelike behavior as it travels through space

latent fingerprint

a hidden fingerprint made visible through the use of powders or other techniques

mineral

a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition

neutron activation analysis

a non-destructive method using gamma ray emission to identify the elemental composition of evidence.

expert witness

a 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.

electron cloud

a region around the nucleus of an atom where electrons are likely to be found

substrate control

a swabbing or cutting of an unstained area near the evidence used to ensure that the surface on which a sample has been deposited does not interfere with analysis results.

patent fingerprint

a visible fingerprint that happens when fingers with blood, ink, or some other substance on them touch a surface and transfer the pattern of their fingerprint to that surface

situations when an officer does NOT need a search warrant

a. In an emergency b. Suspect gives consent c. Illegal drugs or guns in plain view

3 main functions of forensic science

a. Skilled in applying the principles and techniques of the physical and natural sciences to the analysis of various types of evidence. b. Train law enforcement personnel in the proper recognition, collection, and preservation of evidence. c. Provide expert court testimony

8 items collected from body

a. Victim's clothing b. Fingernail scrapings/clipping c. Head & Pubic Hair d. Blood (for DNA typing) e. Vaginal, anal, and oral swabs (in sexual assaults) f. Recovered bullets from the body g. Hand swabs from shooting victims for gunshot residue h. Ocular Fluid for potassium levels in the vitreous humor

things included in crime scene sketch

a. compass b. all measurements with a scale c. date, time, address d. Victim's name e. walls, windows, doors f. type of crime g. location of all evidence including bodies w/legend h. Investigator's name

3 methods for recording a crime scene

a. narrated videotape b. photography c. crime scene sketching & notes

exculpatory evidence

any information having a tendency to clear a person of guilt or blame

corpus delicti

body of the crime

Stereoscope

can tell surface color, texture and color layer sequence of paint

Spiral Search

carried out by a single person involves the searcher walking in a circular fashion from the outer point of the crime scene towards the central point DO NOT START IN CENTRE AS EVIDENCE MAY BE DESTROYED

Real/Physical Evidence

evidence consisting of physical material or traces of physical activity

tainted evidence

evidence obtained from illegal search or seizure

known/reference standard

evidence sample that we KNOW where it came from: i.e. blood sample drawn from the suspect or hair sample from the victim's head. It is used to compare to evidence at the crime scene.

incriminating evidence

evidence tending to establish guilt or from which a fact trier can infer guilt

corroborating evidence

evidence which helps to strengthen a position

Mathieu Orfila

father of forensic toxicology

Francis Henry Galton

first definitive study on fingerprints and developed a method of classifying them for filing.

gamma rays

high-energy electromagnetic waves emitted from a nucleus as it changes from an excited state to a ground energy state

algor mortis

loss of heat by a body (begins within one hour)

modus operandi

method of operating

5 categories of death

natural, homicide, suicide, accident, undetermined

PPE

personal protective equipment

Edward Locard

said that "every contact leaves a trace" also began the world's first crime lab in France

law

says what we must do

Frye v. United States

set out the requirements for the admissibility of expert testimony

livor mortis

settling of blood in areas of the body closest to the ground (immediately and lasts up to 12 hrs)

SICAR

shoeprint database

high frequency

short wavelength, high pitch

rigor mortis

shortening of the muscles causing stiffening of the joints (appears in first 24 hours and disappears within 36)

hearsay evidence

testimony that is not firsthand but, rather, relates information told by a second party

chain of custody

the documented and unbroken transfer of evidence

continuous spectrum

the emission of a continuous range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation

the jury

the final evaluator of the forensic evidence during the trial

CSI effect

the influence that crime shows such as CSI have on the public's perception of forensic science.

atomic number

the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom

nucleus

where protons and neurons are found

1998

year that the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) became fully operational