General Terms Flashcards
Aspect ratio
The ratio of the width to the height of an image or video; usually measured in pixels
Color information
Cannot be relied upon unless steps have been taken to correct issues
Contrast
To look at two items and test, analyze, and examine them to see what is different
Criminalistics
The recognition, identification and evaluation of physical evidence by applying natural science to law science matters
Dye sub clothing
Due to the placement of dyes onto the clothing, marking are generally not considered random
Expert opinion
An expert witness has special knowledge in a certain area because of their training, education, and work experience; can provide testimony if permission is granted by court
Explainable difference
A difference that can be explained; has a logical rationale for the reason it appears different
Forensic
Relating to the courts of law
Forensic science
The application of scientific methods and techniques to matters involving the court of law
Hypothesis
A supposition or proposed explanation made based on limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation
Null hypothesis
The accepted fact
Alternative hypothesis
The alternative to the accepted fact
Human visual system
Seeing is both a physical and psychological phenomenon
Identification
A science of probability, not statistical certainty
Individualize
To put in a class or group specific to a single person/object
Locard principle
Every contact leaves a trace
Objective
Stating a fact that requires no opinion
Paradigm
A framework containing the basic assumptions, ways of thinking, and methodology that are commonly accepted by members of a scientific community. Such a cognitive framework shared by members of any discipline or group
Paradigm shift
A dramatic change in the paradigm of a scientific community, or a chance from one scientific paradigm to another
Parsimony/Occam’s razor
When two or more explanations are possible, the simplest is the most correct
Probability
Has two main functions: to predict the frequency of events and to inform judgement of when events occur unusually or unexpectedly frequently
Profession
Extensive training
Code of behavior and ethics
Established competence
Membership of a professional body
Authoritative professional journal
Principle of individualization
The individualization of an object is established by finding agreement of corresponding individual characteristics of such number and significance as to preclude the possibility of their having occurred by mere chance and establishing that there are no differences that cannot be accounted for
Principle of individualization and statistics
Identification is a science of probability, not statistical certainty
Principle of uniqueness
No two things are exactly the same; no two things break in exactly the same way
Self-deception
When our brains tries to process something it believes it has previously seen, it tries to place it into a previous experience (paradigm)
Science
The knowledge or study of the natural world based on facts learned through experiments and observation
The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena
Scientific method
A formal method of gaining reliable knowledge and information. Two procedures - inquiry and validation
Inquiry
Stage where analysis is conducted, information is collected, and knowledge is gained
Validation
Before obtained information can be found as true, it needs to be checked against existing knowledge. If not validated, they are not scientific
Subjective
Providing opinion, the outcome depends on the individual’s personal point of view
Technical report
Done by someone with specialized practical knowledge; requires no opinions or special scientific knowledge
Termination point
Where the seams on a piece of patterned clothing meet in a random fashion; due to randomness they are considered individual characteristics
