Forensic Science Final Review

apocrine

A type of sweat gland that produces sweat that contain organic molecules (lipids and proteins) and pheromones.

cystolithic hair

An identifying feature of marijuana during microscopic examination. Looks like bear-claw shaped hairs on the top surface of the leaf and finer clothing or guard hairs on the underside of the leaf.

private laboratories

Businesses designed to make a profit; most specialize in DNA and forensic toxicology.

kary mullis

Invented PCR by checking the toughness (thermostabililty) of DNA polymerases from bacteria that live in hot springs.

criminal law

Involve violation of criminal laws and involve the government as the body that is charging an individual, individuals, or companies with violation of criminal laws.

projective test

Psychological test based on the idea that if an individual is shown an ambiguous stimulus and asked to respond, his/her responses will reveal aspects of his personality, including inner thoughts, wishes, conflicts, and feelings.

radiated heat

Moves in invisible waves and rises much like sunlight or x-rays; travels at the same speed as visible light. Radiation is ________ ____.

nist

National Institute of Standards and Technology. Used to identify substances emerging from chromatograph columns, has over 140,000 compounds to be searched.

glowing combustion

Occurs after flame combustion ends, produces heavy dense smoke and gases which are forced from the room under pressure.

generalization

Occurs when qualitative researchers study additional cases and generalize findings to the new cases.

disorganized offender

Offender that commits crime impulsively with little or no planning. The perpetrator's lack of control over his victim and himself is apparent from the evidence.

personality inventories

Psychological tests that are highly standardized (unlike projective techniques) and have considerable empirical validation for what they are designed to assess. These inventories typically assess personality traits and characteristics and provide a general personality profile of the subject.

investigative leads

Physical evidence can provide direct information to an investigator; however, not all physical evidence at the crime scene will be directly linked to a suspect. Frequently, the physical evidence will provide indirect information or investigative leads to the investigator. This is an important and significant use of physical evidence in any criminal investigation. Not every crime scene has individualizing physical evidence, such as fingerprints, but every crime scene will have physical evidence that assists the investigator with information, such as a footwear impression's manufacturer or the size and type of shoe worn by the suspect. A type of information that can be obtained from forensic testing and examination of physical evidence.

forensic evidence

Physical or opinion evidence that is generated by a forensic practitioner or one hired in a forensic role.

carbon monoxide

Some studies suggest it causes more deaths than any other toxic substance. It is present in fires and, together with other poison gases that result from combustion, causes more fire deaths than thermal injury. It binds hemoglobin much more tightly than oxygen so the hemoglobin is unable to fulfill its normal function of transporting oxygen to tissue. It also causes a left shift in the hemoglobin dissociation curve. This means that hemoglobin binds oxygen more tightly at any given partial pressure of oxygen. This is dangerous because the oxygen, tightly bound to hemoglobin, cannot be transferred to its intended destination--cells in need of oxygen. Persons whose blood carboxyhemoglobin levels exceed 60% are at great risk of death.

hypothetical memo

Proposes or predicts a relationship between different parts of the narrative, though it is still too early to come to a conclusion.

unobtrusive measures pros and cons

Pros: cheap, unobtrusive, high reliability if methodological rigor is used, flexible, can potentially cover large temporal period, data doesn't rely on your interpersonal skills Cons: limited to recorded data, potential issues of validity

focus group pros and cons

Pros: high face validity, speedy results, low cost, flexible data collection, fairly true to life, good for development of new survey questions or additional lines of inquiry Cons: not typically a representative sample, loud individuals may outweigh shy individuals or minority opinions/ experiences, highly skilled moderators required, difficult to record and transcribe data

reconstruction evidence

Provides information about the events preceding, occurring during, and occurring after commission of a crime. Reconstruction of a crime scene is particularly valuable in instances where a suspect admits to having been at the scene but did not play a role in the crime.

azoospermia

Semen lacking spermatozoa.

memoing

Taking notes on thoughts while reading.

crystal tests

Target the non-protein heme group of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein of erythrocytes that belongs to a class of compounds called porphyrins.

prosecution

The party that files criminal charges (plaintiff in civil actions).

finder of fact

The party who makes the decision of what is true; a judge or jury in law. Also called trier of fact.

toxicology

The study of poisonous substances and their effects upon body parts.

explosion

The sudden conversion of potential energy (chemical or mechanical) into kinetic energy with a production and release of gases under pressure.

dissimulation

A conscious and deliberate attempt to minimize or deny symptoms of a mental disorder.

polymerase chain reaction

A reaction used to make copies of segments of DNA.

iafis

Allows a latent print examiner to search unknown latent impressions n a neighboring state or several states.

microscopic crime scene

Crime scene description based on the type of physical evidence present.

azostix

Commercial test strip for detecting urea in blood; measures the shift in pH resulting when urea is catalyzed to ammonia and carbon dioxide by urease; used forensically to detect urine.

ninhydrin

Common name for triketohydrindene, a chemical that reacts with amino acids to form a recognizable bluish-purple compound called Ruhemann's purple; widely used to visualize latent fingerprints; often requires posttreatment.

benzidine

Common single test for presumptive identification of blood. Reaction is carried out in an ethanol/acetic acid solution, results in a characteristic blue to dark blue color. Not used in labs because it is a carcinogen.

self reflection memo

Connects the narrative with past experiences or simply notes how the researcher perceives the written information.

momentum

Describes the state of motion of an object such as a car. Calculated as the mass of the object multiplied by its velocity.

postmortem drug testing

Death investigation with a goal of establishing whether drugs were the cause or a contributing factor in death.

class characteristic evidence

Does not reference a particular suspect. Testimony that the hairs found on a victim came from a Caucasian male, or that shell casings found at the scene came from a certain make and model of firearm, are two typical examples of this.

petroleum distillates

Derived from crude oil and are also called hydrocarbons or petroleum hydrocarbons.

toxicogenomics

Describes how genetic factors play a role in toxicity of an ingested drug or poison. Also called pharmacogenetics.

material fatigue

Failure caused by repeated application of dynamic loads.

federal rules of evidence

Federal guidelines designed to guide federal courts in determining if scientific evidence is admissible.

friction ridge skin

Fingers, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet that are characterized by a complicated pattern of hills, or ridges, and valleys, or furrows.

incendiary fire

Fire intentionally caused by human activity.

fatigue type fracture

Indicates that the part has been partially cracked for some time before the accident.

depressants

Substances that depress the central nervous system and cause symptoms such as slowed heart rate and breathing.

hypervariable regions

Locus with many alleles, especially those whose variation is due to variable number of tandem repeats.

over the counter

Medicines that can be purchased without a prescription.

iodine fuming

Nondestructive method of visualizing latent fingerprints based on the interaction of iodine vapors with lipids in the latent residue; usually used to develop fingerprints on items with high intrinsic value.

heat affected zone

The area of base material, either a metal or a thermoplastic, which is not melted but has had its microstructure and properties altered by welding or heat intensive cutting operations.

static load

The basic weight of the building itself and its contents.

duquenois levine test

The chemical color test used to confirm the presence of cannabinoids and THC.

polypharmacy

The combination of drugs, prescribed or illicit.

psychological testing

Quantitative or quasi-quantitative evaluation of personality, psychopathology, and mental functioning

direct examination

Questioning of a witness by the party that called the witness. If an expert is called by the prosecution, the prosecution begins the questioning by ______ ___________.

psilocybin

Quickly converted by the body to psilocin.

colin pitchfork

Responsible for killing two girls, convicted on DNA evidence. Got away the first time because he had a coworker take his blood test for him.

sir alec jeffreys

Responsible for significant developments in the area of DNA testing. Used DNA testing to prove two connected murders.

microsatellites

Short tandem repeat or simple sequence length polymorphisms composed of di-, tri-, tetra-, or pentanucleotide repeats.

prosecutorial bias

The potential tendency of a forensic scientist to make scientific determinations that favor the prosecution.

elastic collision

The two bodies return to the same shape after the collision that they had before the collision. Follows Hooke's law.

p-dmac

p-Dimethylaminocin-namaldehyde. Indicator chemical used to detect ammonia when urea is catalyzed by urease; used forensically to detect urine.

psilocin

A substituted tryptamine alkaloid and a serotonergic psychedelic substance. It is present in most psychedelic mushrooms together with its phosphorylated counterpart psilocybin. A Schedule I drug.

adversarial system

A system in which decisions are rendered based on the merit of two opposing arguments. The legal system in the US is an __________ _______.

codebook

A table that contains a list of predetermined codes that researchers use for coding the data.

marsh test

A test for arsenic developed by James Marsh. Tissue or samples such as stomach contents are added to a container along with metallic zinc and an acid such as hydrochloric acid. Once heated, the arsenic is converted into a gas called arsine, which travels through the glass tube to another heated zone where the arsine breaks down into metallic arsenic.

immunoassay

A test in which antibodies are used. Antibodies enable the reagents to react only with a substance that recognizes the antibody. _________ are objective, relatively specific, capable of high sensitivity, and compatible with automation.

absorption elution test

A test to identify ABO and Rh blood type. Involves the exposure of a portion of the stain with blood to absorb the homologous antibody. Unreacted antibody is then washed away and the absorbed antibody is eluted by warming and then mixed with a cell suspension to be identified.

false negative

A negative result when the substance being tested is present.

anorexic

A potential action of a drug that suppresses the appetite.

first responding officers

Police officers, fire department personnel, or emergency medical personnel.

pajo summary

(Continued) One way of making sense of new information is by putting it into a predefined category. Linking new information to previous theories is one way to make sense of our world, and an important feature of qualitative analysis. Finally, thinking critically is our ability to think outside of the box. It is not a skill we are born with as much as a skill that we learn and improve on throughout our lives. Critical thinking means considering and reconsidering everything we know and assume. Questioning everything we read is a great way to practice critical thinking.

mescaline

3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethlamine. Found in each variety of peyote and produces hallucinogenic effects.

prostate-specific antigen

30-kD protein originating in the prostate gland; used forensically to confirm that presence of azoospermic semen following a presumptive test result.

magna brush

A variant of the simple brush and powder combination is the magnetic brush, the original trademark version of which is called the ________ _________. Actually a small retractable magnet, not a brush at all, the magnetic brush uses special magnetic powders that also can be obtained in several colors. The magnetic brush technique is more useful on some surfaces than conventional powder dusting, mainly because the magnetic want can be used to remove any excess powder from the substratum. It also has the potential to be a gentler technique, in the sense that there is no brush and thus no bristles, so it is less likely to damage the latent print ridges in the brushing process.

agglutinin

Antibodies in the blood that bind with agglutinogens on the surface of red blood cells; present in plasma.

agglutinogen

Antigen on the surface of red blood cells that bind with agglutinins; glycoprotein substances and in integral part of the cell membrane.

coding

Bringing order to written information in which text or visual data are categorized into small portions of information (Pajo).

themes

Broad groups of categories.

low explosives

Burn very quickly and must be kept in a confined space to actually explode.

hemoglobin

Carries oxygen in red blood cells.

civil law

Cases between individuals or parties, the common meaning of the terms "lawsuit" or "being sued". Examples: 1) a victim's family may sue a suspected or convicted murderer in a civil case on a "wrongful death", 2) a patent infringement suit in which one company has accused another of violating a patent.

five basic methods of heat production

Chemical, mechanical, electrical, compressed gas, nuclear

preexisting codes

Codes that are created before the coding begins.

in vivo coding

Coding that is created as it is seen in writing.

three forms of heat transfer

Conduction, convection, radiation.

amplicons

Copies of the original or target piece of DNA.

nucleases

Enzymes that are responsible for most of the environmental breakdown of DNA. Found nearly everywhere, including on the surface of our skin, where they protect us from foreign DNA invasion.

exculpatory evidence

Evidence that can exclude a person as a source and thus tends to exonerate him/her.

tandem mass spectrometer

Has more than one mass spectrometer in its series.

botanical examinations

Identify physical characteristics specific to plants that are considered controlled substances.

capilary elecrophoresis

New methods of DNA profiling employ _______ ___________ units which allow for fast and automated methods for genetic profiling with the use of a small capillary to separate the various fragments allowing for genotyping of a sample.

3 steps to copying dna

Obtain a sequence of double-stranded DNA Split it into separate strands Synthesize new complements

platelets

One of the three cellular portions of blood. Needed for clot formation, also called thrombocytes.

gas chromatography

Preferable method to measure blood alcohol levels.

minutiae

Ridges of the fingerprint form the ________ by either: ending abruptly (ending ridge), splitting into two ridges (bifurcation), or being short in length like a sentence period (dot). Combinations of ____________ also have names; two bifurcations facing each other is called an island.

point of impact

The location at which the collision took place.

nucleotide

The unit consisting of the base (A, C, G, or T) connected to a sugar molecule and phosphate group. The sugar and the phosphate group constitute the backbone of the helix.

accident reconstruction

The use of evidence to reconstruct the events involved in an accident.

biometrics

The use of some type of body metric for identification.

transcribing

Writing down everything you hear from the recorded interview, without exception.

unobtrusive measures

•Content Analysis •Secondary Data Analysis •Comparative and Historical Research •Potentially relevant sources of data: ("traces") court records, training manuals, dispatch audio files, case law, government documents, disciplinary forms, police crime reports, newspaper articles, political campaign speeches, photos, physical objects, videos, diaries, open-ended questionnaire responses. etc.

tips for interviews

•Make subject feel comfortable with time, location, and predetermined line of inquiry •Establish rapport •Avoid asking biased, leading or double-barreled questions •Remember your place as an interviewer •Don't be afraid to ask subjects to repeat, clarify, or delve deeper into responses and their meanings •Know how to subtly redirect if subjects get off topic •Have a plan for emotional responses •Don't try to analyze data while collecting data •Shut up and listen

when am i finished

•Researchers generate empirical assertions •They vary in scope and level of inference •Researchers must establish an evidentiary warrant for their assertions. •How? Systematically reviewing data corpus, testing enduring value of assertions, and seeking disconfirming and confirming evidence. •Revisit and revise as necessary until saturation is reached

tips for video and audio recording

•Where to get devices •Should you ask for permission to record? •Test out your recording equipment and location •Stay in contact with your subjects •Bring back up (extra pens, batteries, recording devices etc.)

crime scene security

1) Assist the victim and prevent any changes to the victim, 2) Search for and arrest the suspect that person is still one the scene, 3) Detain any witnesses. If possible, keep the witnesses separated to preserve their objectivity. Do not take them back to the scene if at all possible, 4) Protect and secure the crime scene. Begin taking crime scene security measures by using barrier tape, official vehicles, or other means, as required. Establish a crime scene security log to record any persons who enter or exit the crime scene and limit access to those who truly need it. This helps prevent contamination of the scene with materials brought in after the crime occurred, 5) Document all movements, alterations, or changes made to the crime scene and pass this information to crime scene investigators.

important features of fingerprints

1) Every fingerprint is unique to an individual, and 2) Fingerprints do not changes during a lifetime unless there is damage to the dermal skin layer

what forensic science should do

1) Help distinguish evidence from coincidence without ambiguity 2) Allow alternative results to be ranked by some principle basic to the sciences applied 3) Allow for certainty and probabilistic considerations wherever appropriate through this ranking of relevant available alternatives 4) Disallow hypotheses more extraordinary than the facts themselves 5) Pursue general impressions to the level of specific details 6) Pursue testing by breaking hypotheses (alternative explanations) into their smallest logical components, addressing one part at a time

procedure tips

1) Identify the specific design that you will be using and provide references to the literature that discusses the approach. 2) Provide some background information about the design, such as its discipline origin, the applications of it (preferably to your field), and a brief definition of it (see Chapter 1 for the five designs). 3) Discuss why it is an appropriate strategy to use in the proposed study. 4) Identify how the use of the design will shape many aspects of the design process, such as the title, the problem, the research questions, the data collection and analysis and report write-up.

validity strategies

1) Triangulate different data sources of information by examining evidence from the sources and using it to build a coherent justification for themes. 2) Use member checking to determine the accuracy of the qualitative findings through taking the final report or specific descriptions or themes back to participants and determining whether these participants feel that they are accurate. 3) Use a rich, thick description to convey the findings. 4) Clarify the bias the researcher brings to the study. 5) Also present negative or discrepant information that runs counter to the themes. 6) Spend prolonged time in the field. 7) Use peer debriefing to enhance the accuracy of the account. 8) Use an external auditor to review the entire project.

major tasks of documentation

1) note taking, 2) videography, 3) photography, 4) sketching Documentation is the single most important task of the crime scene investigator.

dfo

1,8-diazafluoren-9-one A chemical that is used to find fingerprints on porous surfaces. It makes fingerprints glow when they are lit by blue-green light. It reacts with amino acids present in the fingerprint to form highly fluorescent derivatives.

insanity

A mental state in which the individual could not or did not know what he or she was doing or that what he or she was doing was wrong.

hinge lifters

A developed latent impression can be lifted using transparent lifting tape. The tape lift is mounted on a backing card with a color maximally contrasting to that of the powder (e.g. white backing for black powder). One-piece lifters, also known as _______ ______, are commercially available for this purpose.

questionnaire

A document containing questions and other types of items designed to solicit information appropriate for analysis. Tips: avoid double-barreled, misleading, socially desirable questions, and jargon Pros: good for large sample sizes, strong reliability Cons: expensive, hard to understand context and nuances of responses, limited to what questions you ask, weak validity, response rates vary

malingering

A conscious attempt to feign a (mental) illness. Also referred to as simulation.

shear tensile bending

A _____ fracture, _______ fracture, or _________ fracture with no indication of fatigue usually indicates that the part failed at the time of the accident, perhaps being damaged as part of the accident process.

daubert decision

A case decision in 1993 that provided guidance for judges in admitting evidence; often referred to as the gatekeeper decision. Related to Daubert hearings.

designing a procedure

A checklist of questions for ___________ _ ____________ ___________

isotope

A chemical element that exists in alternate forms containing identical numbers of protons and different numbers of neutrons.

presumptive test

A chemical test which, by production of color or light, indicates the presence of a body fluid of forensic interest (e.g. blood, semen). Also called screen

acid phosphatases

A class of enzymes that can catalyze the hydrolysis of certain organic phosphates.

premeditation

A collection of deviant thinking into a criminal thought pattern.

chromogenic substance

A compound which displays a characteristic color when oxidized

interpretation in research

A final step in data analysis involves making an ___________ ________ ____________ of the findings or results. Asking, "What were the lessons learned?" captures the essence of this idea.

certification

A forensic scientist has completed a written test covering his/her discipline and that the analyst participates in yearly proficiency testing to ensure that their lab methods and techniques are sound.

enzyme systems

A form of hemoglobin that is exploited in some microcrystal tests.

silver nitrate

A formerly used method of chemical fingerprint lifting, now better methods are available. The silver reacted with the chloride in the fingerprint; the silver chloride was then photoreductible to silver, which contrasted with the background.

focus groups

A group of subjects interviewed together, prompting a discussion. The technique is frequently used by market researchers, who ask a group of consumers to evaluate a product or discuss a type of commodity, for example.

signature

A killer's psychological calling card left at each crime scene across a spectrum of several murders; characteristics that distinguish one murder from all others.

accreditation

A lab has agreed to operate according to a professional or industry standard and has proven that it can and does operate this way.

daubert vs merrell dow pharmaceuticals

A landmark case regarding admissibility. The plaintiffs were parents of a child born with birth defects. They believed the defects were a result of morning sickness medication the mother had taken. The Supreme Court stated in their ruling that under the Federal Rules of Evidence, general acceptance is not an absolute requirement for determining admissibility; rather, it is the responsibility of the trial judge to determine if scientific evidence is relevant and reliable.

opiates

A large class of drugs distinguished by their ability to cause profound euphoria as well as relieve pain. Many possess high potency as pain relievers and are derived from or related to morphine, which comes from the opium poppy. Classified as depressants.

afis

A law enforcement-based automated system is commonly referred to as an Automated Fingerprint Identification System.

subpoena

A legal order that compels someone to appear and testify in court.

misdemeanor

A less serious criminal case.

dynamic load

A load on a building that changes during a relatively short period of time. Includes forces due to strong winds, gusting, or winds from various directions; machinery inside the building or nearby that pounds or shakes the floors and walls; and ground motion such as earthquakes, heavy traffic, or nearby construction work.

live load

A load that can sometimes change due to weather, occupancy, or building use.

dead load

A load that never seems to change in a building, such as the weight of the floors, walls, supports, and roof.

felony

A more serious criminal case.

homozygous

A person who has the same number of copies at both loci. Opposite of heterozygous.

mcnaughten rules

A person would be found not guilty by reason of insanity if, at the time of the commission of the crime, the person was suffering from such mental infirmity or disease that he/she did not know the nature and quality of his/her action.

phosphoglucomutase

A polymorphic isoenzyme that can be typed.

false positive

A positive result for a substance other than the one being tested.

high order explosion

A rapid pressure rise or high force explosion characterized by shattering the confining structure or container.

jurisdiction

A region or geographical area over which law enforcement or a legal entity can excise authority.

ethnography

A report on social life that focuses on detailed and accurate description rather than explanation.

institutional ethnography

A research techniques in which the personal experiences of individuals are used to reveal power relationships and other characteristics of the institutions in which they operate.

crime scene staging

A scene that has been altered to send the investigation off course and away from the offender.

specialist

A scientist who specializes in one forensic discipline such as trace evidence analysis or questioned documents.

generalist

A scientist who works in many forensic disciplines.

backdraft

A type of explosive ignition that occurs when a smoldering fire is exposed to a fresh supply of oxygen.

general acceptance

A shorthand description of the Frye decision which dictated that scientific evidence is admissible if it has achieved general acceptance by the relevant scientific community.

short tandem repeats

A simple short sequence of DNA that contains a repeated pattern of A, T, C, and G.

thematic apperception test

A simple, widely used and respected projective technique. A person is shown pictures depicting various everyday situations and is asked to create a story based on the picture. In the process, it is assumed he/she will reveal wishes, thoughts, conflicts, feelings, and motives.

internally inconsistent

A situation in which all of the evidence at a scene is consistent with one version of events.

low order explosion

A slow rate of pressurization or low-force explosion characterized by a pushing or dislodging the confining structure or container.

grand jury

A special type of jury that is empowered to decide if the evidence against a defendant warrants proceeding to the next step. If the jury decided there is sufficient evidence to warrant further action, this is referred to as handing down an indictment. In other cases, some form of preliminary hearings may be required.

hypothesis formation

A stage of crime scene reconstruction. Additional accumulation of data is based on examination of the physical evidence and the continuing investigation. Scene examination and inspection of the physical evidence must be carried out. Interpretation of bloodstain and impression patterns, gunshot residue patterns, and fingerprint evidence, as well as analysis of trace evidence, will lead to formulation of a reconstruction hypothesis.

theory formulation

A stage of crime scene reconstruction. Additional information may be acquired during the investigation about the condition of the victim or suspect, the activities of the individuals involved, the accuracy of witness accounts, and other information about circumstances surrounding the event. When the hypothesis has been thoroughly tested and verified by analysis, the reconstruction theory can be formulated.

data collection

A stage of crime scene reconstruction. All of the information and documentation obtained at the crime scene, from the victim or witnesses, is necessary for crime scene reconstruction. Data including the condition of the physical evidence, patterns and impressions, condition of the victim, etc., are reviewed, organized, and studied.

conjecture

A stage of crime scene reconstruction. Before any detailed analysis of the evidence is accomplished, a possible explanation of what happened at the crime scene may be developed. It is not fixed or the only possible explanation at this point, as there may be several other possible explanations.

testing

A stage of crime scene reconstruction. Once a hypothesis has been developed, then additional testing or experimentation must be done to confirm or disprove the overall interpretation or specific aspects of the hypothesis. This stage includes comparison of samples collected at the scene with known standards, as well as chemical, microscopic, or other analyses and testing. Controlled testing or experimentation with regard to possible scenarios of physical activities must be done to corroborate the hypothesis.

frye standard

A standard applied in some jurisdictions to the admissibility of scientific theory and method in court based upon the acceptance of the theory and method by the scientific community.

cocaine

A stimulant that resembles amphetamine in its abuse potential and pharmacological responses. A natural product found in the coca leaf.

physical developer

A type of fingerprint development that is a photographic-type process based on the deposition of silver onto latent fingerprints. Whereas ninhydrin or DFO reacts with water-soluble components in the latent print residue, this reacts with the lipid and other water-insoluble components.

domino effect

A structural failure that proceeds in an orderly fashion.

cutting agent

A substance added to an illicit drug to reduce the concentration, such as sugar or starch.

thermolabile

A substance that breaks down at elevated temperatures.

precursor

A substance that can be converted into another substance.

confirmatory test

A test used to confirm the results of preliminary analysis or presumptive tests.

cyanide

A toxic substance that is present in many forms in nature. It is dangerous because it binds to ferric ions in cytochrome oxidase, an enzyme in the electron transport system within mitochondria. It interrupts the electron transport cascade, the central pathway for energy generation in humans. Without the biochemical energy generated from electron transport, life is not possible. Death occurs quickly; inhalation of large amounts is fatal in less than 1 minute.

questioned documents

A variety of examinations can be performed in the analysis of ____________ ______________. The more common examinations include handwriting comparisons, alterations, obliterations, and erasures. Characterization of inks and paper may also provide valuable information.

accelerant

Agent, often an ignitable liquid, that acts to initiate a fire or increase its rate of spread.

phenolphthalein

Acid-base indicator, produces a bright pink color.

small particle reagents

Acronym is SPR. Typically applied by spraying or immersion, the most common formulation of SPRs is a fine suspension of molybdenum disulfide in a detergent solution. The particles adhere to the lipid components of the residue. SPRs are most commonly used on evidence that has been formerly wet.

two parts of a crime

Actus reus - guilty act Mens rea - guilty intent A person can be guilty but mentally ill, but cannot be guilty but insane.

overkill

Administering more trauma than necessary to end a life; indicates personalized anger and suggests the offender knew the victim.

circumstantial evidence

Allows the trier of fact to accept as proven a fact for which direct evidence is unavailable by inference from a fact that is directly proven. Suppose a defendant's blood is found at a crime scene and linked to him by DNA results. From this information, we can infer that he was at the crime scene. However, taken alone, the DNA results cannot speak to guilt or innocence in a murder case.

astm

American Society for Testing and Materials. Reviews recommendations of the SWGDRUG analytical protocols and recommends many of them as ASTM standards. If the SWGDRUG analytical protocols are adopted as a "guide", they will serve as a best practices reference that does not recommend a specific course of action. If adopted as a "practice" or a "test method", the described analytical protocols would affect how a forensic lab examines controlled substance exhibits.

fire load

Amount of material that can burn. The average ____ ____ of a building is usually stated in British thermal units (BTUs) per square foot to enable comparison of the fire-sustaining potential of one building to that of another.

adme

An abbreviation for the stages that describe how a drug moves through the body: absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion.

immunological reactions

An antigen reacts with an antibody to produce a visible solid or precipitate. Antibodies are proteins found in the serum portion of blood.

naturalism

An approach to field research based on the assumption that an objective social reality exists and be reported accurately.

participatory action research

An approach to social research in which the people being studied are given control over the purpose and procedures of the research, intended as counter to the implicit view that researchers are superior to those they study.

ethnomethodology

An approach to the study of social life that focuses on the implicit, usually unspoken assumptions and agreements, this method often involves the intentional breaking of those agreements as a way of revealing their existence.

virtual autopsy ("virtopsy")

An autopsy using medical imaging techniques and is minimally or not invasive.

fallibilism

An awareness of how much we do not know and the humility to acknowledge the possibility of making mistakes.

mitochondria

An energy-producing structure within a cell that contains DNA called mitochondrial DNA

seminal acid phosphatase

An enzyme found in abundance in seminal fluid, often used in testing.

alpha-amylase

An enzyme found in saliva that is the basis of presumptive tests for that bodily fluid.

volume of distribution

An equation that predicts the relationship between blood concentration and alcohol dosage. On average, a 12-oz serving of beer or 1.5-oz serving of 100-proof alcohol raises the blood concentration to 0.02.

mass casualty event

An event, natural or caused by humans, in which tens, hundreds, or thousands of people die.

debris method

An examination of the scene for debris on the ground at the accident scene, for things such as headlight glass, turn signal lens parts, and other parts that were damaged on the vehicle.

skidding

An example of irreversible work. The initial kinetic energy of the vehicle is converted to irreversible work as tires rub against pavement and brake pads rub against brake discs.

grounded theory

An inductive approach to the study of social life that attempts to generate a theory from the constant comparing of unfolding observations. This is very different from hypothesis testing.

carrier gas

An inert gas such as helium, hydrogen, or nitrogen, used in gas chromatography in the mobile phase instead of a solvent.

serology

Analysis of blood and bodily fluids.

fingerprint patterns

Arch - plain or tented Loop - radial or ulnar Whorl - central pocket, double loop, or accidental.

crime scene sketch

Assigns units of measurements and provides a proper perspective of the overall scene and the relevant physical evidence identified within the scene.

accident avoidance strategy

Assumes that certain parties to the accident traveled at the legal speed and performed reasonably in all their actions including braking, turning, and accelerating.

pattern matching

Characterization of a pattern by comparison to standards of known composition.

variable number tandem repeats

Chromosomal locus at which a particular repetitive sequence is present in different numbers in different individuals of a population; a simple sequence tandem repeat polymorphism in which the core repeat unit is usually 250 bases long.

inculpatory evidence

Evidence that can include a person as a source and thus tends to incriminate him/her.

tips for data analysis

Coding Strategies: write analytic memos, Codes->Themes->Theories, code/analyze data in multiple ways and times Consider by-hand analysis Show a colleague (and/or participants) data and confirm findings

gas chromatography sample preparation methods

Cold headspace, heated headspace, extraction, purge-and-trap, charcoal strip/solid-phase microextraction

firearm and tool mark evidence

Considered a type of impression evidence, this encompasses fired bullets, cartridge casings, and shot shells. A variety of markings or impressions are left on these items when a firearm is discharged, and the markings provide points of comparison to other ammunition fired from the same weapon. Impressions made by tools can also include striation-type marking that share many characteristics of firearms evidence.

Mathieu Orfila

Considered the founder of forensic toxicology. Published his first paper on poisons at the age of 26. Studied poisons, especially arsenic, which was frequently used for murder in that era. He concentrated on methods of analysis of poisons in blood and other bodily fluids and tissues. (1787-1853, Spanish & French)

teichmann test

Consists of heating dried blood in the presence of glacial acetic acid and a halide to form the hematin derivative.

cyanide antidote

Contains nitrite which oxidizes hemoglobin to methemoglobin. The latter forms cyanomethemoglobin, a much less toxic form of cyanide than cytochrome oxidase. Because the cyanide is bound up with methemoglobin it does not reach its customary target, cytochrome oxidase.

interviews

Contrasted with survey interviewing, the qualitative interview is based on a set of topics to be discussed in depth rather than based on the use of standardized questions. Can be fully-structured, semi-structured, or unstructured

control (comparison) samples

Control A test performed in parallel with an experimental procedure and designed to yield predictable results that confirm the reliability of the experimental results.

proving or disproving witness statements

Credibility is an important issue with witnesses, victims, and suspects. The presence or absence of certain types of physical evidence will b y useful in determining the accuracy of their statements. Crime scene patterns or patterned physical evidence (e.g. bloodstain patterns, fingerprints, gunshot residue) are especially well suited for determination of credibility. A type of information that can be obtained from forensic testing and examination of physical evidence.

Hans Gross

Crediting with inventing the term criminalistics to describe forensic analysis of physical evidence. Was definitely a generalist who viewed forensic science holistically. In 1893, he published the first textbook in forensic science, Criminal Investigation, and started a journal called Kriminologie. (1847-1915, Austrian)

secondary crime scene

Crime scene location after the original or primary.

information on the modus operandi

Criminal repeat behavior, and this particular behavior represents their signature or preferred method of operation. Burglars will frequently gain entry into scenes using the same technique each time, or bombers will repeatedly use the same type of ignition device. The physical evidence they leave behind, once found at the scene, can be used to identify them. A type of information that can be obtained from forensic testing and examination of physical evidence.

the w's

Who, what, when, where, and why (important for note taking at the crime scene)

mtdna

DNA found in mitochonrdia; a circular duplex with a genetic code differing from the universal genetic code.

gatekeepers

Discuss steps taken to gain entry to the setting and to secure permissions to study the participants or situation. It is important to gain access to research or archival sites by seeking the approval of ______________, individuals at the site who provide access to the site and allow or permit the research to be done.

competency

Determination by the state as to a person's ability to stand trial.

information on the corpus delicti

Determination of the essential facts of an investigation involves the physical evidence itself, patterns of the evidence, and lab examinations of the evidence. The red-brown stains in a kitchen may significant to an investigation by may be more relevant if those stains are bloodstains with DNA matching a victim. A type of information that can be obtained from forensic testing and examination of physical evidence.

crime scene reconstruction

Determining or elimination the events that could have occurred at the crime scene by analysis of the crime scene appearance, location and position of the physical evidence, and forensic lab examination of the physical evidence.

Francis Galton

Developed the first classification system for fingerprints, adopted by the British government as an adjunct to the Bertillon system. Published the book Finger Prints which helped bring fingerprinting to the forefront of criminal identification. First proponent of classification using the basic patterns of loop, arch, and whorl. In the US, "Galton ridge" is used to describe one of the features found in fingerprints. (1822-1911, English)

Alphonse Bertillon

Developed the first systematic method for the identification of suspects and criminals, but it was based on anthropometry or Bertillonage instead of fingerprints. The system used 11 body measurements, descriptive info, and photos stored on a card. Fingerprints eventually replaced it. Bertillon resisted the use of fingerprints but was the first forensic scientist in Europe to solve a case with them. (1853-1914, French)

plastic collision

Does not follow Hooke's law. A significant portion of the deformation is permanent. Once dented and smashed, it stays dented and smashed. Accounts for almost all vehicular accidents.

documents

During the process of research, the investigator may collect __________ __________. These may be public documents (e.g., newspapers, minutes of meetings, official reports) or private documents (e.g., personal journals and diaries, letters, e-mails).

picroindigocarmine

Dye used to differentially stain spermatozoa for ease of identification. It stains the tail and midpiece green and the anterior head light pink.

individual characteristics

Ending ridges, bifurcations, and dots in the ridge patterns of fingerprints; the quality and quantity of these features serve as the basis of comparison for latent print identification.

conservation of energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be converted from one form into another.

denaturation

Loss of the natural configuration of a molecule through heat, chemical treatment, or pH change.

precipitin test

Employs simple diffusion between two liquids in contact with one another in a test tube; an antiserum and an extract of the bloodstain.

dna polymerase

Enzymes that break the linkage within the double helix of DNA.

Calvin Goddard

Established scientific examination of firearms in the US. In the early 1900s, firearm examination was not systematic or reliable, and many testifying experts were self-proclaimed and questionable. He assisted in many famous cases proving the weapons used to commit the crimes. (1891-1955, American)

individualization

Establishment of uniqueness of an item through examination and experimentation, showing that no other item is exactly like the one in question. An example would be establishing a match by comparing features on a fingerprint to a known print. The adjective form is individualistic.

ethical considerations

Ethical to record people without their knowledge? Ethical to study people with whom you don't agree? To what extent should you provide incentives for engagement? To what extent should you engage with your population? Would distributing information gained from this research process reflect the population under study in a negative or damaging light? Are your subjects properly protected? Can this research be used for good? Don't emotionally damage your subjects without providing resources to cope. Don't reveal damning or identifying information about your subject that could lead to them getting hurt or killed. You shouldn't conduct your research in a way that merely USES your research subjects, especially if you are researching a vulnerable population.

associative evidence

Evidence that establishes a relationship, e.g. hairs, fiber, blood and other body fluids, paint, glass, firearms, bullets, fingerprints, and other imprint evidence.

admissible evidence

Evidence that is determined to be admitted into evidence and be considered in rendering the decision.

identification evidence

Evidence that provides positive identification of the source; this term is falling out of favor.

macroscopic examination

Examination of something with the naked eye.

exemplar

Examples of representative items usually in undamaged or less damaged condition to which a damaged item can be compared. Associative evidence items are considered of unknown or questioned origin until a comparison is made to a known _________. May be collected from a victim, suspect, witness, or investigator.

organized offender

Exhibits a great deal of thought and planning. The offender maintains control over himself and the victim. Little or no material of evidentiary value is present. Organized crime is carried out in a sophisticated and methodical manner.

area of origin

Fire-related area in space where a fire started, a fire extends horizontally and vertically from its _____ __ ________. It follows the path of least resistance through ceilings, doorway and window openings, and stairwells.

lattes crust test

Focuses on the antibodies found in the stain and involves exposing three separate stain samples to dilute suspensions of A, B, and O cells, allowing a suitable period of time for elution of the antibodies from the stain and agglutination of the cells.

impression evidence

Footwear and tire impressions are examples of _______________ _____________ examined in the forensic laboratory. It can provide substantial information, including identification, depending upon the quality of the impression and the number of unique features present.

high explosives

Generally stable and is detonated by a primary explosive. Detonates rapidly compared to low explosive. Divided into primary and secondary explosives.

identification of the suspect

Forensic examination is a process of recognition, identification, individualization, and reconstruction. Identification of a suspect may be accomplished by matching a recovered latent fingerprint to a fingerprint in a database or from matching a DNA profile of a tiny bloodstain to a profile in a database. A type of information that can be obtained from forensic testing and examination of physical evidence.

extracellular fluid

Found outside of cells in the body, e.g. blood

crime scene management

Four related components: 1) information management 2) manpower management 3) technology management 4) logistics management

Sherlock Holmes

From 1887-1927, Sir Arthur Doyle published 56 short stories and 4 novellas about Holmes and Watson as they solved crimes using logic and science. Holmes delved into many areas of forensic science, including forensic biology, trace and transfer evidence, firearms, and questioned documents, using fictional techniques that often accurately predicted later developments in the field. Doyle predicted a test for human blood 14 years before one was officially invented.

public laboratories

Funded by governments such as states, counties, and cities.

gc-ms

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Provides additional assurance from GC.

maternal lineage

Genetic component passed through the female lines of a family (mitochondrial DNA).

field research

Going where the action is and observing it. _______ __________paradigms (methods): naturalism, ethnomethodology, grounded theory, case study, ethnography, participatory action research What is your role as a researcher? Complete participant, complete observer, somewhere in between? Reactivity, the Hawthorne effect, and "going native" What is your relationship to your subjects? Power dynamics, insider/outsider status How do you come to understand their perspective? Reflexivity

flammable liquid

Have a flashpoint below 100 degrees F.

combustible liquid

Have a flashpoint above 100 degrees F.

Victor Balthazard

Helped advance fingerprint, firearms, and hair analysis in the late 1800s/early 1900s. Credited with developing probability models that showed fingerprints are unique and there is a 1 in 10^60 that two people will have the same fingerprint. Wrote first comprehensive book on hair analysis with Marcelle Lambert called The Hair of Man and Animals. Developed an advanced photographic method of comparing markings on bullets. Among the first to note other distinctive markings in firearms. (1852-1950, French)

satellite dna

Highly repetitive eukaryotic DNA located primarily around centromeres and found in other places in the genome. The buoyant density of satellite DNA is usually different from that of the other DNA of a cell. The repetitive DNA forms a satellite or off-the-bell-curve fraction in a density gradient because of the base compositions of the repetitive regions.

toxicokinetics

How drugs and poisons move through the body. Also called pharmacokinetics.

clandestine drug labs

Illicit locations that manufacture controlled substances. The types and numbers of labs seized reflect national and regional trends concerning the types and amounts of illicit substances that are being manufactured, trafficked, and abused. They have been found in remote locations, in urban and suburban neighborhoods, hotels and motels, industrial complexes, and academic and industrial labs. They range in size from table-top setups used to produce gram quantities to large multiple-location operations that generate kilograms of final product.

jennings case

In 1910 a man called Thomas Jennings was arrested in Chicago for murder. The primary evidence was fingerprints. The state wanted to ensure the evidence would survive appeals to the Illinois Supreme Court, so they called Edward Foster as an expert witness. The defendant was convicted, the evidence did survive, and the Jennings case is considered a landmark fingerprint case in the courts.

Edmond Locard

In 1910, he established a forensic lab in France. Though the lab was very basic, he established a reputation and increased the viability of forensic science in Europe. He was interested in microscopic and trace evidence (particularly dust) and believed that such trace evidence was crucial in linking people to places. He developed Locard's exchange principle: every contact leaves a trace. (1877-1966, French)

margin of safety

In a building, purposeful design to support static loads that are several times stronger than what the designer anticipates would typically be needed.

civil vs criminal certainty

In a criminal proceeding, the prosecutor bears the burden of proving a defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, a burden that never shifts. In a civil case, the plaintiff need only prove his case by a preponderance of the evidence, a much easier standard to meet. Informally, beyond a reasonable doubt might be thought of as 99% certainty, while preponderance of evidence would be 51%.

victim description

In most jurisdictions, the body should never be moved or disturbed until the medical examiners has given approval. When note taking at the crime scene (once given permission), note the victim position wounds, clothing, jewelry, or identification (present or absent).

conservation of momentum

In the context of accident reconstruction, the net momentum of the vehicles involved in the accident just prior to the collision is equal to the net momentum just after the collision.

four stages of fire progression

Incipient, emergent smoldering, free burning, oxygen-regulated smoldering.

icp-ms

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry; the best and most modern technique for metal analysis.

individual characteristic

Inferentially associates a particular individual with the commission of a crime. Testimony finding that court-ordered hair exemplars obtained from the defendant are consistent in all respects to the hair found on the victim, or that fibers found on the victim's clothing are consistent with fibers from the defendant's jacket, are two examples.

direct evidence

Information that establishes directly, without the need for further inference, the fact for which the information is needed. An example would be eyewitness testimony that the defendant fired the fatal shot in a murder prosecution.

spoliation

Intentional or negligent destruction or alteration of evidence.

oblique lighting

Lighting cast across a page of writing at an angle almost parallel with the page.

lc-ms

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sample mixture is swept into a liquid solvent instead of gas. Because the chemical of interest does not have to be heated for conversion into the gaseous state, this technology is compatible with virtually every known organic chemical.

trace evidence

Locard's exchange principle basically states that, whenever two objects come in contact with one another, a transfer of material will occur. The transfer may be tenuous, but it will certainly occur. In other words, a suspect will leave something at and take something away from a crime scene.

core and delta

Loops and whorls contain a core and a delta.

tips for transcribing data

Make methodological decisions about how you transcribe your data and what to include •Do you correct grammatical errors, do you leave in obscenities? Pauses? Emotional outbursts? The interviewers statements? Do you include comments about body posture, faces, and physical movements of the subject? Transcribe your own interviews (timestamp too) Don't wait until after data collection to begin transcribing Use recordings and transcriptions to improve as an interviewer Consider showing completed transcript and/or findings to participants

sexual psychopath laws

Mandated the evaluation and treatment of sex offenders.

cannabinoids

Marijuana and parts of the plant Cannabis sativa in which tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is an active agent. Drug state is characterized by euphoria, perceptive alteration, and memory impairment. Mood swings and hallucinations are possible with moderate intoxication, while heavy usage may provoke delusions and paranoia.

fire patterns

Marks left by fire, smoke, and soot on structures and devices. Several characteristic patterns help identify the relationship and orientation of the fire to the structure: horizontal patterns, plumes, V-shaped patterns, and saddle burns.

durometer

Measures the "hardness" of a tire or other rubber-type product, including many plastics.

modus operandi

Method of operation of a criminal; the principle that a criminal is likely to use the same technique repeatedly and that any analysis and record of the technique used in every serious crime will provide a means of identification in a particular crime.

irreversible work

Once some energy is used for a particular process it cannot be converted back into the kinetic energy it once was.

annealing

Pairing of complementary strands of dot-blot DNA analysis (DQ-alpha and amplitye PM).

types of fingerprints

Patent - needs no enhancement or development to be clearly recognizable as a fingerprint. Often made from grease, dark oil, dirt, or blood. Plastic - recognizable indentation in a soft receiving surface such as butter, putty, or tar. Latent - requires additional processing to be made visible and suitable for comparison. Processing latent prints to make them visible and suitable for comparison is called development, enhancement, or visualization.

trophy

Personal item belonging to the victim of a violent crime that is taken by the offender, such as jewelry, clothing, a photograph, or driver's license. The item represents and is a reminder of an accomplishment, a victory, in the offender's mind.

souvenir

Personal item belonging to the victim of a violent crime that is taken by the offender, such as jewelry, clothing, a photograph, or driver's license. The item serves as a reminder of a pleasurable encounter and may be used for masturbatory fantasies. The offender who takes a _________ is usually an inadequate person who is likely to keep it for a long time or give it to a significant other.

psycholegal

Pertaining to legal issues or questions that are addressed by psychologists or other mental health professionals.

walk through

Preliminary crime scene survey performed to orient the crime scene investigator to the scene and the physical evidence at the scene.

urea

Present in urine, perspiration, blood, saliva, and semen in high levels, about 1400-3500 milligrams/100 millilitres.

creatinine

Present in urine, perspiration, blood, saliva, and semen in lower levels, about 105-210 milligrams/100 milliliters.

chemical evidence

Primarily, forensic chemistry deals with seized drugs, toxicological samples, material chemistry, and explosives.

controlled substances act

Recognizes that many substances have a useful, legitimate medical purpose. Classifies drugs into one of five schedules based on accepted medical use and the danger of physical and psychological dependence. Acronym is CSA.

flanking region

Region just adjacent to a region of interest, a gene, a repeat, or any other sequence.

theoretical memo

Relates to a theory or makes a connection between the narrative and theoretical concepts.

tetramers

Repeats of four base pairs.

schedule 1 drugs

Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Some examples of Schedule I drugs are: heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), methaqualone, and peyote.

schedule 2 drugs

Schedule II drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. These drugs are also considered dangerous. Some examples of Schedule II drugs are: Combination products with less than 15 milligrams of hydrocodone per dosage unit (Vicodin), cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), oxycodone (OxyContin), fentanyl, Dexedrine, Adderall, and Ritalin.

schedule 3 drugs

Schedule III drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. Schedule III drugs abuse potential is less than Schedule I and Schedule II drugs but more than Schedule IV. Some examples of Schedule III drugs are: Products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit (Tylenol with codeine), ketamine, anabolic steroids, testosterone.

schedule 4 drugs

Schedule IV drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a low potential for abuse and low risk of dependence. Some examples of Schedule IV drugs are: Xanax, Soma, Darvon, Darvocet, Valium, Ativan, Talwin, Ambien, Tramadol.

schedule 5 drugs

Schedule V drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with lower potential for abuse than Schedule IV and consist of preparations containing limited quantities of certain narcotics. Schedule V drugs are generally used for antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic purposes. Some examples of Schedule V drugs are: cough preparations with less than 200 milligrams of codeine or per 100 milliliters (Robitussin AC), Lomotil, Motofen, Lyrica, Parepectolin.

swgdrug

Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs. Came up with recommendations concerning the examination and identification of controlled substances. Although these recommendations do not hold any statutory authority, they do represent the accepted analytical standards established by a consensus of the scientific community engaged in the analysis of drug abuse.

swgfast

Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study, and Technology.

periodic acid-schiff reagent

Serves to stain the glycogen in the cellular cytoplasm a bright magenta color. Used to identify vaginal secretions.

interview protocol

Should have the following components: 1) A heading (date, place, interviewer, interviewee) 2) Instructions for the interviewer to follow so that standard procedures are used from one interview to another 3) The questions (typically an ice-breaker question at the beginning followed by four to five questions that are often the subquestions in a qualitative research plan, followed by some concluding statement or a question, such as, "Who should I visit with to learn more about my questions?" 4) Probes for the four to five questions, to follow up and ask individuals to explain their ideas in more detail, or to elaborate on what they have said 5) Spaces between the questions to record responses 6) A final thank-you statement to acknowledge the time the interviewee spent during the interview

minisatellites

Simple sequence tandem repeat polymorphism in which the core repeat unit is usually 10-50 nucleotides long; variable number of tandem repeats.

fingerprint pioneers

Sir William Herschel is often credited with being the first European to recognize the value of fingerprints as a means of personal identification (1833-1917). Dr. Henry Faulds was also influential (1843-1930). Juan Vucetich is considered the Western Hemisphere's fingerprint pioneer (1858-1925).

luminol or fluorescein

Spray a chemical mixture on a suspected bloodstained area, usually in situ, and observing the result, either in darkness or in reduced light with the aid of an alternative light source (ALS).

amphetamines

Stimulants that create an excitatory condition characterized by elevations of heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. Their use provokes intense euphoria. Can be easily synthesized by clandestine labs starting with ephedrine.

genetic marker system

System in the body that are directed by heredity and thus can be used forensically. The ABO blood group system is an example.

field research data

Strengths: depth of understanding it provides, flexible designs, cheap, typically high validity factor, trustworthiness and repeatability if methodology is transparent Weaknesses: not great for analysis of large populations, reliability must be addressed by rigor and transparent methodology

alkaloids

Substance formed in the plant tissues and in the bodies of animals. Morphine and codeine are _________ of opium.

intercoder agreement

Such an agreement might be based on whether two or more coders agree on codes used for the same passages in the text. It is not that they code the same passage of text but whether another coder would code it with the same or a similar code.

cyanoacrylate

Super Glue. Can be induced to fume, and the fumes will interact with latent fingerprint residue by polymerizing in situ, yielding a friction ridge impression off-white in color.

eccrine

Sweat glands found on friction ridge skin which produce the watery-type sweat composition of which forms a basis for latent fingerprint residue.

tetramethylbenzidine

Test for blood, used in an acid medium, color is green to blue green (TMB).

hemastix

Test for blood. Plastic strip with a reagent-treated filter paper. Color is yellow then green or blue green.

workplace drug testing

Testing biofluids, primarily urine and blood, from employees or job applicants for the possible presence of drugs.

colorimetric testing

Testing in which a change or production of color is used to screen for compounds. Any metal can be accurately measured using a basic version of this.

drug enforcement administration

The US government agency responsible for regulation of controlled drugs. They can temporarily add substances to a schedule without having to wait for a more formal and lengthy procedure to take place.

defendant

The accused party against whom charges are filed.

oxidation

The addition of oxygen to a substance; a reduction in hydrogen in a substance or loss of electrons in a substance.

ld50

The amount of the substance required (usually per body weight) to kill 50% of the test population.

hookes law

The deformation of a material is directly proportional to the applied force causing the deformation.

postmortem redistribution

The concentration changes that occur after death as drugs move from one region of the body to another.

laser-induced fluorescence

The detection method used in the capillary electrophoresis method of DNA typing.

conduction

The direct transfer of heat from one substance to another substance that it is touching.

skid formula

The formula used by accident investigators to determine how fast a car was traveling before the driver applied his brakes and initiated skidding. It involves the weight and mass of the vehicle, acceleration of gravity, frictional coefficient between the tires and pavements, and the distance skidded.

macroscopic crime scene

The overall or "big picture" crime scene.

base pair

The haploid human genome (sperm/egg cells) contains about 3 billion ____ ______ with four different ______ possible at each site (A, T, C, and G)

purposefully select

The idea behind qualitative research is to _________________ ___________ participants or sites (or documents or visual material) that will best help the researcher understand the problem and the research question.

saturation

The idea of ____________ comes from grounded theory. Charmaz (2006) said that you stop collecting data when the categories (or themes) are ______________: when gathering fresh data no longer sparks new insights or reveals new properties.

profiling

The identification of certain characteristics of an unknown, unidentified offender based on the way he committed a violent act and his interactions with the victims. May uncover victimology, crime reconstruction, significant facts of the autopsy, characteristics and traits of the offender, post-offense behavior, and investigative suggestions.

identification of unknown substances

The identification of unknown substances is a common use of physical evidence. Identification of white powders as controlled substances or poisons such as anthrax are examples. A type of information that can be obtained from forensic testing and examination of physical evidence.

case study

The in-depth examination of a single instance of a social phenomenon, such as a village, family, or a juvenile gang.

diminished capacity

The individual at the time of the commission of the alleged offense had a diminished ability to meet all of the criteria for the charges against him; in other words, could not or did not form the specific intent or could not act in a knowing and purposeful manner.

acev

The overall process an examiner uses, which stands for analysis, comparison, and evaluation that comprise the formal process followed by verification.

scientific method

The method by which scientists study and advance knowledge of the natural world; based on data, observations, and hypotheses. Some general steps: 1) Formulate a hypothesis 2) Test the hypothesis using observation or experimentation 3) Based on the results, revise the hypothesis and repeat 4) Continue until the data are in agreement with the hypothesis

henry system

The modified _______ _________ as used in the US is a scheme for the classification of ten-print sets, or a fingerprint card, for one individual.

powder dusting

The most well-known physical method of lifting fingerprints. The powder particles adhere to the latent residue. Black powders are generally better than other colors; they are produced in a way that yields more uniform particle size and generally produces better results.

polymorphism

The occurrence in a population of two or more genetically determined alternative phenotypes with frequencies greater than could be accounted for by mutation.

reliability

The researcher's approach is consistent across different researchers and different projects.

voir dire

The process by which an expert is questioned to determine whether or not he/she will be accepted as an expert by the court.

chemiluminescence

The process by which light is emitted as a product of a chemical reaction. No additional light is required for the reaction to take place.

coding

The process of organizing the data by bracketing chunks (or text or image segments) and writing a word representing a category in the margins. It involves taking text data or pictures gathered during data collection, segmenting sentences (or paragraphs) or images into categories, and labeling those categories with a term, often a term based in the actual language of the participant (Creswell).

cross examination

The questioning of a witness by the party that did not call the witness. When an expert testifies for the prosecution in a criminal case, the defense would _____-______________.

fire

The rapid oxidation process with the evolution of light and heat.

validity

The researcher checks for the accuracy of the findings by employing certain procedures.

inadequate discrepant case analysis

The researcher did not scrutinize the set of disconfirming instances, examining each instance (i.e., discrepant case) and comparing it with the confirming instances to determine which features of the disconfirming case were the same or different from the analogous features of the confirming cases. Such comparative feature analysis often reveals flaws in the original assertion, which if rewritten can account for the discrepant cases as well as accounting for those initially thought to have been confirming instances. The remaining members of the set of disconfirming instances are genuinely discrepant cases that are not accounted for by the assertion. One of the five major types of evidentiary inadequacy.

inadequate variety in kinds of evidence

The researcher fails to have evidence across a range of different kinds of sources (e.g., direct observation, interviewing, site documents) to warrant key assertions through triangulation. The researcher did not seek triangulating data while in the field. One of the five major types of evidentiary inadequacy.

faulty interpretive status of evidence

The researcher fails to have understood the key aspects of the complexity of action or of meaning perspectives held by actors in the setting. One of the five major types of evidentiary inadequacy.

inadequate amounts of evidence

The researcher has too little evidence to warrant certain key assertions. The fieldworker's daily round did not include the scenes in which evidence could have been collected that would have confirmed the assertion. One of the five major types of evidentiary inadequacy.

inadequate disconfirming evidence

The researcher lacks data that might disconfirm a key assertion. Moreover, the researcher lacks evidence that a deliberate search was made for potentially disconfirming data while in the field setting. This weakens the plausibility of the absence of disconfirming evidence and leaves the researcher liable to charges of seeking only evidence that would support favorite interpretations. One of the five major types of evidentiary inadequacy.

hashish

The resin from marijuana that has been isolated from the plant material. It can be found as oil or in cake form. The oil is added to other substances and smoked. The cake can be smoked separately or added to other materials and smoked. Contrary to common belief, it's not a potent form of marijuana.

rules of evidence

The rules used by a court to determine if scientific evidence will be admitted.

primary crime scene

The site of the original or first criminal activity.

thin layer chromatography

The specimen is extracted into an organic solvent and spotted onto a glass plate coated with silica. The plate is placed into a tank that contains a mobile phase that migrates up the plate.

flashpoint

The temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient vapors to form an ignitable mixture at its surface

firepoint

The temperature at which a liquid produces ignitable vapors that will sustain combustion.

gatekeeper

The term used in relationship to the Daubert decision; the judge is designated as the one who determines admissibility under these rules and is thus the ______________.

obtaining measurements

The three techniques to obtain measurements.

convection

The transfer of heat by a circulating medium, usually air or liquid.

is qualitative right for you

Things to consider: 1) What do I want to know? 2) What questions do I need to ask? 3) What answers am I expecting? 4) From where/what/who do I need to elicit these answers from? a) Data collection and/or population sampling strategies 5) When do I know when I've collected enough data? 6) What format will best convey the information I gather? 7) Who will be my audience to whom I deliver my message?

audio and visual materials

This data may take the form of photographs, art objects, videotapes, website main pages, e-mails, text messages, social media text, or any forms of sound.

reconstruction of a crime

This is the final step in the forensic examination process. The crime scene investigator is frequently more interested in how a crime occurred than in identifying or individualizing the evidence at the scene. At this point, the "how" of a crime scene is more important than the "who" of the crime. A type of information that can be obtained from forensic testing and examination of physical evidence.

linkage of persons, scenes, or objects

This is the principle behind all crime scene investigations. Recall Locard's exchange principle: whenever two objects come into contact there will be a mutual exchange of matter between them. Linking suspects to victims is the most important and common type of linkage made by physical evidence in criminal investigations. For example, a victim of a shooting may not remember exactly where the crime occurred, but evidence recovered from the victim's shoes or clothing could be useful in establishing the location. A type of information that can be obtained from forensic testing and examination of physical evidence.

observational protocol

This may be a single page with a dividing line down the middle to separate descriptive notes (portraits of the participants, a reconstruction of dialogue, a description of the physical setting, accounts of particular events, or activities) from reflective notes (the researcher's personal thoughts, such as "speculation, feelings, problems, ideas, hunches, impressions, and prejudices.

daubert trilogy

Three cases decided in the 1990s that are used by federal and other courts to determine the admissibility of scientific evidence: Daubert vs Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, General Electric Co. vs Joiner, and Kumho Tire Co. vs Carmichael

fingerprint evidence

Two aspects of fingerprinting are generally associated with the forensic laboratory: latent print development and fingerprint identification. The development of latent fingerprints can be accomplished via chemical methods, physical methods (such as powders), and lighting and photographic methods. The method used depends on the latent print and the surface on which the print is located. For example, cyanoacrylate or Super Glue fuming is commonly used on difficult surfaces such as plastics and firearms. Fluorescent powders may be used to enhance a latent print on a particularly colored surface or for use with an alternate light source. Alternative light sources and ultraviolet photography are used as nondestructive methods of latent print development.

biological evidence

Typically, human (or occasionally other) tissues used for identification and individualization of human tissues constitute the focus of forensic biology. Conventional serology, such as ABO blood grouping has largely been replaced by DNA testing. Current DNA technology is primate specific, utilizes minimal samples, and allows for identification of individuals.

amylase

Ubiquitous enzyme found in both animals and plants.

wet chemical procedures

Used as a screening method or for sample preparation. Used in the initial stages of the controlled substance identification process. Provide a method to indicate quickly whether a controlled substance is present within a sample. Consist of chemical color tests, microcrystalline tests, thin-layer chromatography, and liquid extraction techniques.

extractions

Used to separate the compound of interest from the rest of the sample. The basic types include physical _________, dry washing, dry _________, and liquid __________.

infrared spectroscopy

Uses a compound's ability to absorb IR light as a means of identification. The pattern that results from charting the absorbance and transmittance of IR light that is passed through (or reflected from) a sample is considered to be a chemical fingerprint.

crime scene mapping

Using techniques associated with surveying to obtain data that can be used to generate a 3D rendering and record of the scene.

victimology

Victim's history (personality characteristics, strengths and weaknesses, occupation, hobbies, lifestyle, and sexual history) that impacts the analysis of a crime; a behavioral study of the victim of a violent crime (usually homicide). The analyst examines reputation, lifestyle, habits, associated, and pastimes to form an opinion about the individual's risk of becoming the victim of a violent crime.

heterozygosity

When an individual has two different copies (or alleles) of a gene or locus.

takayama test

When heme is gently heated with pyridine under alkaline conditions in the presence of a reducing sugar, crystals of pyridine ferroprotoporphyrin or hemochromogen.

crime scene team

When note taking at the crime scene, note assignments to team members, walk-through information, beginning and ending times, and evidence handling results.

notification information

When note taking at the crime scene, note the date and time, method of notification, and information received.

arrival information

When note taking at the crime scene, note the means of transportation, date and time, personnel present at the scene, and any notifications to be made.

scene description

When note taking at the crime scene, note the weather, location type and condition, major structures, identification of transient and conditional evidence, containers holding evidence of recent activities (ashtrays, trash cans, etc.), clothing, furniture, and any weapons present.

interviews

When the researcher conducts face-to-face interviews with participants, telephone interviews, or engages in focus group interviews with six to eight interviewees in each group. These interviews involve unstructured and generally open-ended questions that are few in number and intended to elicit views and opinions from the participants.

observation

When the researcher takes field notes on the behavior and activities of individuals at the research site. In these field notes, the researcher records, in an unstructured or semi-structured way (using some prior questions that the inquirer wants to know), activities at the research site.

vehicle identification number

With a vehicles VIN, it is possible to (1) determine whether it has been brought back to the dealership to have a recall item fixed, (2) determine the maintenance that has been done on the vehicle at authorized dealerships, (3) determine at which dealerships the maintenance was done, (4) track whether the vehicle has been stolen or involved in previous accidents.

tips for recording data

You will not be able to write it all down •Write shorthand notes, trigger words, and/or major statements •Make methodological decisions as to importance of body language & nonverbal data As soon as you leave the interview, record your own reactions, feelings, and ideas about your experience Always keep a note book or recording device nearby to collect personal "spontaneous analysis"

creswell summary

pg 261 http://englishlangkan.com/produk/E%20Book%20Research%20Design%20Cressweell%202014.pdf