Defining Forensic Science Section 1
Exam -Solved
Albert S. Osborn - ANSWER-- Wrote the book Questioned Documents; still used by
document examiners today
- Important in getting recognition of techniques for analyzing questioned documents to
be admissible in court
Alphonse Bertillon - ANSWER-- Developed the 1st system to use body measurements
for personal identification
- Called anthropometry
Anthropo- - ANSWER-Human, man
Anthropology - ANSWER-Study of human bones tied to legal matters
Ballistics/Firearms Unit - ANSWER-Examines firearms, bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun
shells, ammo, objects for gunshot residue, and tool marks
Biology/Serology Unit - ANSWER-Test biological evidence and body fluids for evidence
Carl Wilhelm Scheele - ANSWER-- Swedish chemist who experimented with arsenic
and cyanide
- Later developed the first successful test for arsenic poisoning in corpses
- One of the breakthroughs in chemistry that helped with the development of forensic
science
Circumstantial Evidence - ANSWER-Isn't based on personal knowledge but rather an
inference
City/Town Forensic Labs - ANSWER-- Unless it is a large city, it usually has limited
services, and the rest goes to regional or state labs
- Municipal/local
- Ex: Houston has more services than Katy
Class Characteristics - ANSWER-Properties of evidence that can only be associated
with a group and not tied individually to a single source
Common Duties of Forensic Scientists - ANSWER-Data Collection, Data Interpretation,
Court Testimony, Data Analysis
Conclusive Evidence - ANSWER-Strong enough to counter other contrary evidence
Coroner - ANSWER-- Typically transport corpses from the crime scene to the morgue
, - Some aid in death investigations
- Not a doctor; don't require doctoral degree
- Equivalent to MEs in some jurisdictions
- Some are elected county officials who handle corpse and death investigations
Coroner - ANSWER-Public officer whose chief duty is to investigate questionable
deaths
Corpus Delecti - ANSWER-Body of the crime, physical evidence showing that a crime
was committed
Corpus Delicti - ANSWER-- Facts proving that a crime has been committed
- Body of the victim in a murder case
Corroborating Evidence - ANSWER-May differ from other evidence, but strengthens
other evidence
County Forensic Labs - ANSWER-- Services only 1 country
- Ex: Montgomery vs. Harris County
Crim- - ANSWER-Fault, accusation, crime
Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) - ANSWER-Law enforcement officers with a certification
(Ex: International Association for Identification, IAI)
Criminalistics - ANSWER-The examination of physical evidence
Criminologist - ANSWER-- Apply science from physical sciences (biology, chemistry,
etc.) to the examination of the physical evidence
- Bachelor of science or high in sociology and psychology
CSI Effect - ANSWER-- TV shows such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation have
increased public awareness and interest in the use of science in criminal and civil
investigations
- However, the simplification of the processes has led to unreal expectations such as:
- Every crime scene yields forensic evidence
- The CSI team collects and process all the evidence rather than distribute roles
- Time frame: solved in one hour or less when it may take weeks, months, or years
Demonstrative Evidence - ANSWER-- Demonstrates or illustrates the testimony of the
witness
- Ex: maps, diagrams of the scene of an occurrence, and animations
Derivative Evidence - ANSWER-- Evidence that was discovered through illegal means
and is inadmissible in court
- Fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine
Exam -Solved
Albert S. Osborn - ANSWER-- Wrote the book Questioned Documents; still used by
document examiners today
- Important in getting recognition of techniques for analyzing questioned documents to
be admissible in court
Alphonse Bertillon - ANSWER-- Developed the 1st system to use body measurements
for personal identification
- Called anthropometry
Anthropo- - ANSWER-Human, man
Anthropology - ANSWER-Study of human bones tied to legal matters
Ballistics/Firearms Unit - ANSWER-Examines firearms, bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun
shells, ammo, objects for gunshot residue, and tool marks
Biology/Serology Unit - ANSWER-Test biological evidence and body fluids for evidence
Carl Wilhelm Scheele - ANSWER-- Swedish chemist who experimented with arsenic
and cyanide
- Later developed the first successful test for arsenic poisoning in corpses
- One of the breakthroughs in chemistry that helped with the development of forensic
science
Circumstantial Evidence - ANSWER-Isn't based on personal knowledge but rather an
inference
City/Town Forensic Labs - ANSWER-- Unless it is a large city, it usually has limited
services, and the rest goes to regional or state labs
- Municipal/local
- Ex: Houston has more services than Katy
Class Characteristics - ANSWER-Properties of evidence that can only be associated
with a group and not tied individually to a single source
Common Duties of Forensic Scientists - ANSWER-Data Collection, Data Interpretation,
Court Testimony, Data Analysis
Conclusive Evidence - ANSWER-Strong enough to counter other contrary evidence
Coroner - ANSWER-- Typically transport corpses from the crime scene to the morgue
, - Some aid in death investigations
- Not a doctor; don't require doctoral degree
- Equivalent to MEs in some jurisdictions
- Some are elected county officials who handle corpse and death investigations
Coroner - ANSWER-Public officer whose chief duty is to investigate questionable
deaths
Corpus Delecti - ANSWER-Body of the crime, physical evidence showing that a crime
was committed
Corpus Delicti - ANSWER-- Facts proving that a crime has been committed
- Body of the victim in a murder case
Corroborating Evidence - ANSWER-May differ from other evidence, but strengthens
other evidence
County Forensic Labs - ANSWER-- Services only 1 country
- Ex: Montgomery vs. Harris County
Crim- - ANSWER-Fault, accusation, crime
Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) - ANSWER-Law enforcement officers with a certification
(Ex: International Association for Identification, IAI)
Criminalistics - ANSWER-The examination of physical evidence
Criminologist - ANSWER-- Apply science from physical sciences (biology, chemistry,
etc.) to the examination of the physical evidence
- Bachelor of science or high in sociology and psychology
CSI Effect - ANSWER-- TV shows such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation have
increased public awareness and interest in the use of science in criminal and civil
investigations
- However, the simplification of the processes has led to unreal expectations such as:
- Every crime scene yields forensic evidence
- The CSI team collects and process all the evidence rather than distribute roles
- Time frame: solved in one hour or less when it may take weeks, months, or years
Demonstrative Evidence - ANSWER-- Demonstrates or illustrates the testimony of the
witness
- Ex: maps, diagrams of the scene of an occurrence, and animations
Derivative Evidence - ANSWER-- Evidence that was discovered through illegal means
and is inadmissible in court
- Fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine
