Forensic Glossary

Question 1

Definition of biological material ?

Answer 1

Provides links directly to a person. 4 categories:

1. Body fluids : blood, semen, saliva
2. Trace biological : epithelial cells (i.e. Skin or mouth cells) transferred through contact
3. Hairs : hair shaft only, hair with root
4. Toxicology : drugs in blood, urine, hair

Question 2

What is bloodstain pattern analysis?

Answer 2

Bloodstain patterns can be found on a victim, on an assailant ,or Ina surface at the scene . Many types occur:

• cast-off bloodstains ( from implement or weapon )
• pooled blood (from a person lying in one position for a period of time)
• dripped bloodstains ( indicates direction and movement of the victim or assailant )
• splattered bloodstains (indicates impact or blows- may not be visible to the naked eye )
• arterial spurting (indicates injury type)
• backspatter ( from a firearm wound)
• latent blood stains (not evident to the naked eye and require luminal testing but may reveal material vital to reconstruction)

A bloodstain pattern analysis can provide information about the kind of weapon used, or the number of blows inflicted .

Question 3

Definition of admissible (in relation to evidence)?

Answer 3

Means that evidence is allowable and can be accepted by the court

Question 4

Definition of chain of evidence?

Answer 4

Record of all the people who have had custody of an exhibit since it was first discovered, to its presentation in court and its security in police records

Question 5

Definition of cold zone?

Answer 5

Area in outer cordon of scene. Place where O/c scene manages scene examination and staff involved (i.e. Briefings and debriefings, meals, scene records )

Question 6

What is the reason for zoning a crime scene?

Answer 6

Helps to avoid contamination of the scene and the evidence it holds, also helps manage access to the scene .

Question 7

Definition of contamination?

Answer 7

Occurs when material is added to an exhibit post incident ( i.e. When animals or humans enter the scene)
Forensic science is underpinned by the principle that ‘ every contact will leave a trace’
Contamination can also occur through the evidence collection and exhibit packaging phase.

Question 8

Definition of control sample?

Answer 8

Samples of known origin that can be compared with materials found on items being examined. Sometimes called reference samples

Question 9

Definition of cross contamination?

Answer 9

Occurs through the exchange of traces of forensic material between the offender, the crime scene, the victim and other people
I.e. If offender and victim are transported in same vehicle.
Can also occur through secondary transfer, i.e. when an officer who has dealt with the victim then interviews the suspect.

Question 10

Definition of degrade?

Answer 10

Over time all biological material will degrade naturally.
Technological developments in forensic science now mean that it may still be possible
to retrieve fingerprints and dna from bodily samples.
Forensic experts must be the people to examine, lift and analyze biological material that has degraded.

Question 11

Definition of deteriorate?

Answer 11

Forensic evidence will deteriorate under certain conditions.

Example: an offender s shoe that is spattered with blood is packaged in a plastic bag and forwarded for analysis. The sealed bag generates the growth of mould on the surface of the shoe and encourages the blood sample to deteriorate

Example: a bloodstain sample collected from the dashboard of an abandoned car has deteriorated by being exposed to direct sunlight over several days.

Question 12

Definition of dna?

Answer 12

Deoxyribonucleic Acid, genetic material contained within living things.

DNA a profiles are used to distinguish between individuals.

In a serious crime investigation. DNA samples from a person /people may be voluntarily provided or lawfully compelled and submitted for analysis.
To the DNA databank at ESR
For comparison with a case

Question 13

What is a DNA profile?

Answer 13

Is generated from the analysis of an individual s DNA sample. Individuals DNA profiles are stored on National DNA database, located at ESR. Contains samples from convicted offenders and volunteers.
Another database is the crime sample database. This database contains DNA profiles from unresolved crimes in NZ

Question 14

Definition of elimination samples?

Answer 14

Refers to samples (i.e. hair, fingerprints, shoeprints) taken from people who are not connected with the offence but who may have come into contact with the crime scene evidence
Example: footprint below a window is shown to belong to a contract window cleaner

Question 15

Definition of entomological samples?

Answer 15

Entomology is the science of studying insects. Entomological samples are insect samples collected from a scene that can assist with objective scientific evidence.

Example: insect samples collected from a body can assist with estimations of time of death

Example: insect samples collected from a cannabis plant, or from a package of organic material, can assist in identifying the region of origin of the material

Question 16

Definition of forensic material?

Answer 16

May be of a biological or physical nature.
Material gathered in an investigation may or may not become forensic evidence.
To be presented as forensic evidence, the material must be analyzed to provide objective and scientific data determining its relevance to the investigation

Question 17

Definition of golden hour?

Answer 17

Period immediately following the commission of an offence when material is abundant and readily available to police.
Positive action in the period immediately following the report of a crime minimizes the attrition of material and maximizes the chance of securing the material that will be admissible in court.

Question 18

What are the key considerations for staff conducting crime scene initial action ?

Answer 18

• identify scenes, secure, assess and commence log
• preserve physical evidence
• prevent contamination of victims, scenes, witnesses and suspects

Question 19

Definition of hot zone?

Answer 19

Area in decontamination zone model. Is party of the scene requiring examination and evidence protection. It is closely controlled by the O/C scene. Exhibits are collected and packaged for forensic analysis in the hot zone.

Question 20

What is the definition of impressions ?

Answer 20

Evidence of a biological or physical nature that is left at a crime scene. It is a key example of the basic principle of forensic science that every contact will leave a trace.
Impressions generally require specialized collection and packaging.

Examples of impressions:
Footwear impressions in soil etc..
Car tyre in soft mud
Fingerprint in a colter, fabric impression on a car bumper
Tool mark at a place of forced entry

Question 21

Definition of intangible?

Answer 21

Unable to be touched, not having a physical presence.

Section 97 of S&S act gives examples: email address, information held in an Internet storage facility

Question 22

Definition of latent samples?

Answer 22

Latent means hidden or concealed.
Used to describe fingerprint or footprints that are present ur not visible to the human eye until revealed through the use of powders or chemicals or special lighting

Question 23

How is integrity of evidence protected?

Answer 23

-access to the scene is controlled and documented
- forensic examination is conducted by personnel with an acceptable level of knowledge of the scientific method and who are suitably trained or qualified
- the ‘chain of evidence’ is secure
The ultimate test of the integrity of forensic evidence is when it is presented in court.

Question 24

What is order of examination?

Answer 24

It applies to any exhibit where multiple evidence types are present.
Means the preferred sequence of examination or analysis undertaken on a document exhibit. The order is determined by the investigative need, i.e.which type of analysis is going to be of most evidential value to the investigation
Example: a threatening not eased to a bank teller during a robbery may be forwarded to the document examiner for indentation analysis prior to being examined for fingerprints.
Retrieving fingerprints first will mean any indentations are lost. Fingerprint treatment can also negatively affect document examinations such as ink comparisons, pPer comparisons and physical matching

Question 25

What is persistence?

Answer 25

Refers to the length of time forensic material is able to be detected following a crime.
For example: the persistence of blood can be affected by the weather, by washing or wiping the surface on which it was found.
The persistence of material is a key reason why prompt and efficient action is necessary when a serious crime is discovered.

Question 26

What is the meaning of physical evidence?

Answer 26

It can establish links between things. I.e. It can provide a link to a person through items they have been associated with.
Physical evidence types are those materials that are examined for:
-their physical fit (i.e. part to a whole)
-the impressions they leave i.e. tyre marks, foot prints)
-their composition (drugs)
-the residue they may leave (minute material traces)
For example: a piece of indicator light is found at the scene of a hit and run. A vehicle with indicator damage is located. ESR examiner can determine if broken piece is the same composition or if it fits the broken indicator

Question 27

What is physical fit

Answer 27

In the analysis of forensic evidence, physical fit involves fitting together two or more objects (physical evidence) to see if they were originally part of the same item.

Question 28

What is primary transfer?

Answer 28

It is the direct transfer of forensic material from one party to another. Such transfer generally requires contact between the parties.
The greater the force and duration of the contact, the greater the amount of evidence that will be transferred.
Primary transfer happens all the time, not just at crime scenes

Question 29

What is the definition of relevance?

Answer 29

The Evidence Act section 7 states: it is a fundamental principle that relevant evidence is admissible.
The relevance of forensic evidence to a case does not rely upon what people said or observed.
Forensic evidence can be used to establish links between the crime scene, the complainant and the suspect. It provides unbiased, objective scientific information to confirm the relevance of the evidence.

Question 30

What is Secondary transfer?

Answer 30

the indirect transfer of evidence to a third party.
Example : a woman dances with maleA, who is wearing a red jersey and gets red fibers on her top ( primary transfer). Later in the evening she dances with another man, male B and some of the red fibers are transferred fro. The woman s top to the shirt if that man (secondary transfer). Red fibers have been transferred from male A to me,e B (via the woman) without any direct contact between them.

Question 31

In forensics what is the meaning of significance?

Answer 31

The evidential value of the material sample for the evidence collection.
For example when considering the evidential ‘significance’ of a glass exhibit a numbers of factors will need to be considered. Particularly important to the significance of the evidence will be where the glass ample was located

Question 32

What is the meaning of tangible?

Answer 32

Section 3 of the S&S act states that evidential material in relation to an offence, means evidence of the offence or any other item, tangible or intangible, of relevance to the investigation of the offence.
Tangible means perceptible by touch, clear and definite, real, i.e. an iPhone , a watch , a knife

Question 33

Definition of toxicology?

Answer 33

Analysis of body samples for alcohol, illicit drugs or poisons. It includes the detection of drugs in blood, urine, hair and fingernails.

Question 34

What is trace evidence?

Answer 34

Microscopic or minute samples of the evidence . Includes both trace biological evidence such as epithelial cells (skin, vaginal or mouth cells) and trace evidence such as fibers, paint, glass or firearm discharge residue and pollen.

Question 35

What is transfer?

Answer 35

In a forensic context, transfer means the exchange of material traces between offender, crime scene and victim that can occur during and post incident

Question 36

What’s the warm zone?

Answer 36

A transition area where:

• scene examiners put on and take off protective clothing
• scene examiners access equipment
• the O/C exhibits receives and records exhibits

Question 37

What is the zone model?

Answer 37

The zone model for crime scene examination is also referred to as Decontamination Zones. The model has 3 distinct zones:
Hot zone
Warm zone
Cold zone

Zoning helps avoid contamination of scene and exhibits