Crime Scene Chemistry

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chain of custody

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the documented and unbroken transfer of evidence

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circumstantial evidence

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(indirect evidence) evidence used to imply a fact but not prove it directly

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class evidence

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material that connects an individua or thing to a certain group

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crime-scene investigation

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a multidisciplinary approach in which scientific and legal professionals work together to solve a crime

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crime-scene reconstruction

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a hypothesis of the sequence of events from before the crime was comitted through its comission

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direct evidence

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evidence that (if true) proves an alleged fact, such as an eyewitness account of a crime

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first responder

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the first police officer to arrive at a crime scene

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individual evidence

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a kind of evidence that identifies a particular person or thing

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primary crime scene

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the location where the crime took place

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secondary crime scene

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a location other than the primary crime scene, but that is in someway related to the crime, where evidence is found

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trace evidence

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small but measurable amounts of physical or biological material found at a crime scene

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algor mortis

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(1 hour after death) the cooling of the both after death

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autolysis

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the spontaneous break-down of cells as they self-digest

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cause of death

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the immediate reason for a person's death (such as heart attack, kidney failure)

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death

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the cessation, or end, of life

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decomposition

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the process of rotting and breaking down

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forensic entomology

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the study of insects as they pertain to legal issues

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instar

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one of the three larval stages of insect development

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larva

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(plural larvae) immature form of an animal that undergoes metamorphosis (maggot)

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livor mortis

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(starts immediately after death, lasts 12 hours) the pooling of the blood in tissues after death resulting in a reddish color to the skin

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manner of death

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one of four means by which someone dies (i.e., natural, accidental, suicidal or homicidal)

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mechanism of death

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the specific body failure that leads to death (i.e., gunshot wound that bled out)

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pupa

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(plural pupae) the stage in an insects life cycle when the larva forms a capsule around itself and changes into its adult form

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rigor mortis

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(immediately following death, starts within 24 hours and goes away within 36) the stiffening of the skeletal muscles after death

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anthropology

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the scientific study of the origins and behavior as well as the physical, social, and cultural development of humans

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epiphysis

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the presence of a visible line that marks the place where cartilage is being replaced by bone

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forensic anthropology

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the study of physical anthropology as it applies to human skeletal remains in a legal setting

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joints

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locations where bones meet

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mitochondrial DNA

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DNA found in the mitochondria that is inherited only through mothers

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ossification

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the process that replaces soft cartilage with hard bone by the deposition of minerals

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osteohlography

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the physical record of a person's life as told by his or her bones

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osteoblast

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a type of cell capable of migrating and depositing new bone

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osteoclast

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a bone cell involved in the breaking down of bone and the removal of wastes

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osteocyte

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an osteoblast that becomes trapped in the construction of bone; also known as a living bone cell

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osteoporosis

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weakening of bone, which may happen if there is not enough calcium in the diet

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skeletal trauma analysis

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the investigation of bones and the marks on them to uncover a potential cause of death

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agglutination

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the clumping of molecules or cells caused by an antigen-antibody reaction

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anibodies

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proteins secreted by white blood cells

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antigen-antibody response

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a reaction in which antibodies attach to specific antigens

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antigens

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any foreign substance or cell in the body that reacts with antibodies

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cell-surface protein

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proteins embedded in the cell membrane

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lines of convergence

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a two-dimensional view of the intersection of lines formed by drawing a line through the main axis of at least two drops of blood that indicates the general area of the source of the blood spatter

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point of origen

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a three-dimensional view formed using lines of convergence and angles of impact of at-least two different drops of blood to identify the source and location of blood splatter

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red blood cells

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donut-shaped cells that carry oxygen throughout the body

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satellite drop of blood

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secondary drop formed when some blood breaks free from the main contact drop of blood

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white blood cells

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cells that police the body by destroying foreign materials

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anthropologist

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examines bones to help determine identity and may also get involved in the time-of-death issues as well as forensic art, computer enhancement, facial sculpture

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artist/sculptor

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provides sketches of the offender, uses computer enhancement to come up with a rendition of someone, or uses two- and three-dimensional facial reconstruction on decomposed remains

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accountant

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does financial investigations for deducing motive and identifying suspects

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ballistics expert

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has knowledge about the functioning of firearms and bullet projecties

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botanist

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studies plant growth at a crime scene and analyzes plant spores

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chemist/trace expert

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studies the molecular component of pieces of evidence like glass, paint chips, fibers, and dyes. also does toxicology

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dactyloscopist

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analyzes fingerprints

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entomologist

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studies the developmental stages of insects to help establish time of death or body dump sites

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geologist

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analyzes soil content to provide information about where a body may have been

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geographical/profiler

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uses computer models to help establish where a serial offender may reside

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linguist

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analyzes the spoken or written word to match separate messages with a singe individual, prove underlying intent, and tell something about the person's educational level and reading sources

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mental health expert/criminologist/profiler

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helps to determine how the evidence is to be interpreted by analyzing potential motives and criminal behavior from a crime scene. They can also predict what a serial offender might do, narrow down identifying characteristics, and explain puzzling aspects of a crime

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odontologist/dentist

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studies teeth, which means they can examine teeth impressions, bite marks, and dental formation for identification

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serologist

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analyzes body serums like blood, semen, and saliva, and may offer information about DNA and blood pattern analysis