Forensic Anthropology

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actus reaus

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the physical element of a crime, the prohibited act

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algor mortis

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one of the triad of early postmortem changes, characterized by decreasing body temperature. See also livor mortis and rigor mortis.

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antemortem period

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from birth to the beginning of the perimortem period
Autolysis- self digestion- occurring through the action of digestive enzymes that break down complex proteins and carbs. The same mechanism that aids in digestion of food in life being to digest the gastrointestinal tract after death. Considered a minor component of decomposition

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chain of custody

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synonymous with evidence continuity and chain of evidence; investigators must maintain the integrity and security of evidence at all times, from collection through analysis to presentation at court.

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class evidence

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group affiliation based on common characteristics

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circumstantial evidence

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evidence based on inference, rather than personal knowledge or observations

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CODIS

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combined DNA index system, a computer database, developed and maintained by the FBI, that allows investigators to compare unknown DNA against know specimens

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commingled remains

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the mixing of body parts or skeletal remains from two or more individuals

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coroner

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an elected or appointed official responsible for determining the manner of death of person in his or her jurisdiction

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Daubert criteria

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whether the theory or technique used by the expert can be or has been tested, whether the theory has been peer reviewed, rate of error, the degree of the methods acceptance in scientific community

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double jepardy

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being charged twice fore the same offense, disallowed in US under 5th amendment

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exculpatory evidence

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evidence that establishes a defendants innocence

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Frye criteria

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the expert qualifications of the presenting witness and the general acceptance of the technique or theory.

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genocide

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an international war crime involving the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group

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homicide

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death at the hands of another; implies responsibility

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inculpatory evidence

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evidence supporting a defendant’s involvement in a crime

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individual evidence

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material traced to a single source

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intent

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the state of mind accompanying an act; the mental resolve to act

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jurisdiction

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legal authority of an agency or individual to perform an act within a defined geographic region

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livor mortis

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early postmortem change resulting in a purple discoloration of the skin of dependent parts of the body. The purple color results from unoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood. The pattern and distribution of livor mortis results from the settling of blood into the capillaries of the skin after circulation has ceased.

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Locard's principle

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any two objects that come in contact with each other leave traces, one upon the other

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Material evidence

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witness testimony based on personal knowledge or observations

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Mens rea

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a guilty mind: the accused shows an understanding of the unlawful nature of the crime through behavior; the mental element of a crime.

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Medical Examiner

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an appointed official who is licensed, board certified forensic pathologist, performs autopsies, and rules on the cause and manner of death.

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Motive

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personal justification for an action

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NAGPRA

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North American graves protection and repatriation act

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Parsimony

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a style of argument that arrives at an understanding of events based on the minimum number ot steps needed to explain the available

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Perimortem

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events surrounding

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Physical Evidence

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evidence arrived at by scientific means

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Postmortem

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time frame from the end of the perimortem period to the discovery of the body

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Provenience

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a record of the source or origin of artifacts or materials such as skeletal remains.

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Putrefaction

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the major component of decomposition, resulting in marbling, bloating, subcutaneous gas accumulation, and maceration; from endogenous and exogenous bacterial activity after death

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Rationality

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a style of argument that require events to follow a logical course

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Rigor mortis

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the part of the triad of early postmortem changes in which chemical changes in the muscle fibers cause progressive hardening of the muscles. Lactic acid and other by products of tissue metabolism initiate the process. The protoplasm gels as acid accumulates in the muscles, making the muscles rigid

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STR's

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a form of DNA typing used in identification

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Subpoena

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a order to produce documents evidence or testimony for the court’s review

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Taphonomoy

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the natural laws of burial , describing how an organism moves from the biosphere to the lithosphere

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Volition

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the act of making a choice, an act of free will with an understanding or acceptance of the consequence of that act

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Warrant

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a court order authorizing law enforcement to act

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Work Product

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any tangible material or its intangible equivalent that is prepared by or for a lawyer or act of litigation