Forensics (Chapter 1 & 2) Flashcards
What is an observation?
Anything recorded from our senses
What is the difference between an observation and an inference?
Observations are directly seen while inference is an idea generated from the evidence
What can affect observations by witnesses?
Emotional states Whether they were alone, part of a group, or near others What type of and how much activity was going on around them Level of interest/Concentration Stress Amount and kind of distraction present Prejudices a person's beliefs Motives And lapse in time since the event
Are eyewitness accounts always accurate? Why or why not?
No, because sometimes they forgot or see things incorrectly or are
Explain the Innocence Project.
A project to get wrongfully accused people out of jail.
Give 4 ways to be a better observer.
Observe Systematically
-Start at one part of a crime scene and run your eyes slowly over every space
- Look carefully at the detail of each piece of evidence
- Do not assume you will remember everything
Consciously pay attention to all details
Collection information first and interpret later
Explain the Principle of Exchange.
When a person comes in contact with an object or another person, a cross-transfer of physical material can occur
- Study of the material can determine the nature and duration of the transfer
Define trace evidence.
Evidence that can be traced back to a person
Define direct evidence
- Testimony by a witness about what that witness saw, heard, did
- Witnesses are not always reliable, could be bad
- Comes from a person
Give an example of direct evidence.
Finger Prints
Give an example of circumstantial evidence.
Blood strains
How is class evidence useful in forensic science? Give an example.
to eliminate a group of suspects.
What is individual evidence? Give an example.
Its usual evidence pertains to an individual such as hair fibers or blood.
What is deductive reasoning?
The process of logical reasoning through imperfect evidence
Who are the people that make up a CSI team? Give their name and their role.
Cops The district attorney (maybe) Crime scene investigators Medical examiners Detectives Specialists
What is collusion?
creation of a story based on what other witnesses say
Why are patterns used?
Patterns are better for searching because you miss less stuff
Explain why the Chain of Custody is important in forensic science and crime scene investigations.
Chain of Custody is important because it helps present credible evidence in a court case by sealing it. It’s best if you seal the evidence in a bag with identification so that it’s easy to tell if the evidence is tampered with.
What is crime scene reconstruction?
Forming a hypothesis from a sequence of events. Usually from before a crime was committed to its commission.
Why might someone stage a crime scene?
It’s usually to serve as a cover-up. Examples include Staging a fire to cover bankruptcy, Staging a suicide- cover a murder
What is the “CSI Effect”?
An effect causing the CSI shows that all evidence must be perfect in a court case because all courtroom cases on TV present absolute perfect evidence.
circumstantial evidence.
Circumstantial Aka indirect or trace evidence - Physical evidence - E.g. Fingerprint or shoeprint or shirt fiber - Indentation of you being there - Outline of you Biological - E.g. blood or hairs - Parts of you - Something that leaves your body
