6 Fundamental Concepts

Question 1

What is the definition for the principle of divisibility of matter?

Answer 1

• Matter divides into smaller components with sufficient force.
• Components acquire characteristics and retain physio-chemical properties.

Question 2

What is the first consequence of the principle of divisibility of matter?

Answer 2

Some characteristics retained are common to original item and items of similar manufacture.

Question 3

What is the second consequence of the principle of divisibility of matter?

Answer 3

Some characteristics retained are unique to original item or division process (e.g. edge patter, paint).

Question 4

What is the third consequence of the divisibility of matter?

Answer 4

Some characteristics simply lost or changed - complicates attempt to infer common source (e.g. gunshot residue, explosion).

Question 5

What is the definition for the principle of exchange?

Answer 5

• Impossible for criminal to act without leaving traces o presence.
• Will also collect traces of presence on body or clothes.

Question 6

What is the first consequence of the principle of exchange?

Answer 6

Traces left after each interaction between different entities.

Question 7

What is the second consequence of the principle of exchange?

Answer 7

Some traces are directly from offender and left of the scene, victim or witness.

Question 8

What is the third consequence of the principle of exchange?

Answer 8

Some traces left by scene, victim or witness and picked up by offender.

Question 9

What is the definition for the process of identification?

Answer 9

Defining the physiochemical nature of an object (e.g. placing into specific class).

Question 10

What is the process of identification a direct consequence of?

Answer 10

The principle of divisibility of matter - some characteristics retained are common to original item and other items of similar manufacture.

Question 11

What is the definition for the process of individualisation?

Answer 11

Process of further narrowing down class to one member i.e. determine specific source of piece of evidence.

Question 12

How is the “narrowing down” process carried out?

Answer 12

Through comparison of a questioned and reference item.

Question 13

What is the process of individualisation a direct consequence of?

Answer 13

The principle of divisibility of matter - some characteristics retained by trace are unique to original item or division process.

Question 14

What is the difference between identification and individualisation?

Answer 14

Identification - class characteristics common to number of different sources.
Individualisation - individual characteristics specific to single source.

Question 15

What is the definition for the process of association?

Answer 15

Linking a person with a scene (inference of contact between source of evidence and receiving surface by detection of transfer).

Question 16

What does the process of association require, as it is an inference of contact?

Answer 16

Combining the strength of the evidence established during individualisation process with additional information.

Question 17

What is the process of association a direct consequence of?

Answer 17

The principle of exchange - traces left after each interaction between different entities involved. Transfer allows linking person to scene.

Question 18

What is the definition for the process of reconstruction?

Answer 18

Process of understanding the sequence of past events (ordering associations in space and time based on physical evidence).