Introduction Flashcards
What is forensic science?
Forensic science is the application of science to crime and civil laws that are enforced by police and criminal justice agencies.
What is forensic chemistry?
Forensic chemistry is the application of chemistry in the identification of unknown materials found at a crime scene.
How does forensic science assist the legal system?
It helps in solving crimes by analyzing evidence, determining cause and time of death, and providing scientific reports for legal proceedings.
What are the main goals of a forensic scientist?
To collect, test, and preserve evidence; determine cause, location, and time of death; and provide accurate information to the criminal justice system.
Do forensic scientists directly solve crimes?
No, they analyze physical evidence, which helps law enforcement in solving crimes.
What types of physical evidence do forensic scientists analyze?
Objects collected at a crime scene, such as hair, fibers, glass, soil, gunshot residues, and biological samples.
What is the role of forensic scientists in court proceedings?
They present their findings as expert witnesses, providing scientific explanations to support legal cases.
What are the two main purposes of forensic analysis?
1) To identify a questioned sample, and
2) To compare a questioned sample to a known sample to determine its origin.
What are the three steps followed in forensic analysis?
Identification, Classification, and Individualization.
What is presumptive analysis?
It is a preliminary analysis that provides enough information to narrow down the possibilities but does not confirm the identity of a sample.
What is confirmatory analysis?
It is a definitive test that identifies a questioned sample absolutely, required for court and legal proceedings.
Why is confirmatory analysis more expensive than presumptive analysis?
It requires advanced instrumentation and detailed chemical or physical property measurements.
What is comparative analysis in forensic science?
It is the process of linking a questioned sample to a known sample to establish a common origin.
What are class characteristics in forensic science?
These are properties shared by a group of substances but not unique to a single origin, e.g., hair color.
What are individual characteristics in forensic science?
These are unique properties that can establish the exact origin of an item, e.g., DNA analysis of a hair sample.
