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Definition
| An individual whom the court determines to possess knowledge relevant to the trial that is not expected of the average layperson. |
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| Locard's Exchange Principle |
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Definition
| Whenever two objects come into contact with one another, they exchange materials between them. |
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Definition
| A process that uses strict guidelines to ensure careful and systematic collection, organization, and analysis of information. |
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Definition
| The father of forensic toxicology. |
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Definition
| Devised the first scientific system of personal identification in 1879. |
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Definition
| Conducted the first definitive study of fingerprints and their classification. |
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Definition
| Developed a procedure to determine blood type for dried bloodstains. |
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Definition
| Used a comparison microscope to determine if a particular gun fired a bullet. |
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Definition
| Developed the fundamental principles of document examination. |
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Definition
| Utilized microscopy and other analytical methodologies to examine evidence. |
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Definition
| Wrote the first treatise describing the application of scientific principles to the field of criminal investigation. |
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Definition
| Incorporated Gross's principles within a workable crime laboratory. |
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Definition
| Developed the first DNA profiling test in 1984. |
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Definition
| Incorporates the principles of chemistry, physics, and geology to identify and compare physical evidence. |
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Definition
| Applies the knowledge of biological sciences in order to investigate blood samples, body fluids, hair, and fiber samples. |
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Definition
| Investigates the discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells, and ammunition. |
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Definition
| Provides the skills needed for handwriting analysis and other questioned-document issues. |
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Definition
| Applies specialized photographic techniques for recording and examining physical evidence. |
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Definition
| Examines body fluids and organs for the presence of drugs and poisons. |
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Definition
| Processes and examines evidence for latent fingerprints. |
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Definition
| Conducts polygraph or lie detector tests. |
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Definition
| Attempts to tie a recorded voice to a particular suspect. |
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Definition
| Dispatches specially trained personnel to the crime scene to collect and preserve physical evidence. |
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Definition
| The decision that initially set of guidelines for determining the admissibility of scientific evidence in the courtroom. Known as the Frye Standard. |
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Term
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Definition
| The evidence in question must be "generally accepted" by the scientific community. |
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Term
| Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical, Inc. |
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Definition
| Supreme Court cases in 1993 that asserted that the Frye Standard is not an absolute prerequisite to the admissibility of scientific evidence. Established the Daubert Criteria for Admissibility. |
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Term
| Daubert Criteria for Admissibility |
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Definition
1. Whether the scientific theory or technique can be tested.
2. Whether the technique has been subject to peer review & publication.
3. The techniques potential rate of error.
4. Existence and maintenance of standards.
5. Whether the theory or method has attracted widespread acceptance within the relavent scientific community. |
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Definition
| Area in which the relationship between human behavior and legal preceedings is examined. |
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Definition
| Involves using teeth to provide information about the identification of victims when a body is left in an unrecognizable state. Also investigates bite marks and indentations. |
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Definition
| Concerned with failure analysis, accident reconstruction, and causes & origins of fire/explosions. |
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Term
| Forensic Computer Science |
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Definition
| Involves the examination of digital evidence. |
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