Aca Forensic Science Vocabulary

Front 1

bloodstain interpretation

Back 1

The interpretation of size, shape, orientation, and distribution of blood pooled or spattered on various surfaces at a crime scene.

Front 2

autopsy

Back 2

The internal and external examination of a body after death performed to confirm or determine the cause of death and establish other pre-death conditions.

Front 3

ballistics

Back 3

The study of the motion of bullets and their examination for distinctive characteristics after being fired and using evidence to math bullets or bullet fragments to specific weapons

Front 4

bullet track

Back 4

The path of a bullet as it passes through matter.

Front 5

criminology

Back 5

The study of criminal activity and how it is dealt with by the law.

Front 6

DNA

Back 6

Depxyribonucleic acid, occuriring in the form of double-helix strands, DNA contains the genetic code in the nucleus of every cell and serves to define that individual's characteristics, often, an individual's DNA appears in the blood and other bodily fluids

Front 7

DNA profiling

Back 7

The process of testing to identify DNA patters or types

Front 8

evidence

Back 8

Anything that has been used, left, removed, altered, or contaminated during the commission of crime or any other event under investigation.

Front 9

fingerprint

Back 9

The unique patterns created by skin ridges found on the palm sides of fingers and thumbs.

Front 10

forensic science

Back 10

The study and application of science to matters of law.

Front 11

gene

Back 11

A unit of inheritance consisting of a sequence of DNA, individually or collectively, genes determine a particular characteristic in that organism.

Front 12

latent fingerprint

Back 12

A full or partial fingerprinting made by deposits of oils and/or perspiration, not usually visible to the human eye.

Front 13

lie detector

Back 13

a.k.a. "polygraph," a machine that charts how respiration and other bodily functions change as questions are asked of the person being tested, an attempt to knowingly provide false answers can cause changes in bodily functions.

Front 14

lividity

Back 14

What is caused by the pooling and settling of blood within the body because of gravity, this is noticeable within 30 minutes and fixed 12 hours after death.

Front 15

luminol

Back 15

A chemical that is capable of presumptively detecting bloodstains diluted up to 10,000 times and is used to identify blood that has been removed from a given area.

Front 16

microscopic hair analysis

Back 16

Investigative procedure of examining hair shafts for identifiable characteristics.

Front 17

post mortem

Back 17

After death; also refers to autopsy.

Front 18

rigor mortis

Back 18

The stiffening of a body, begins after brain death, lasts about 30 hours

Front 19

serology

Back 19

The science dealing with properties of serums in the blood.

Front 20

super glue fuming

Back 20

A technique used to visualize latent fingerprints on nonporous surfaces.

Front 21

toxicology

Back 21

The study of poisons and drugs and their effects on human and animal populations.

Front 22

trajectory

Back 22

The pat of an object as it moves through space, usually referring in the forensic context to a bullet or other projectile.