Evidence Types
A person who saw a crime happen
What is an eyewitness?
This document shows where the evidence has been at all times
What is the chain of custody?
The study and application of science to law and crime
What is Forensic Science?
The "educated guess" step in the scientific method.
What is a hypothesis?
Something we observe with our five senses (sight, sound, taste, smell, touch)
What are observations?
Evidence that directly proves a fact like surveillance videos or eyewitness testimony?
What is direct evidence?
This is the first thing we make sure to do at a crime scene (if relevant)
What is give medical attention?
"Every Contact Leaves a Trace"
What is the Locard Principle?
The variable that we change or manipulate
What is an independent variable?
Something that we conclude about observations based on our prior knowledge or experiences
What are inferences?
Evidence that requires you to come to a conclusion like trace evidence, DNA, or text messages
What is circumstantial evidence?
This is what we do to get a general layout of the scene before we package and process evidence to provide a scale and reference for the lab
What is sketch the scene?
Evidence accepted into a court based on "general acceptance" in the scientific community
What is the Frye Standard?
Things that stay the same between trials in a research study
What are control variables?
This type of direct evidence involves a suspect admitting their guilt and telling about what they did
What are confessions?
This is where we sign packages to prove they have not been tampered with
What is on the tape and the package?
Evidence that is admitted into court based on a number of factors including error rate. It is ultimately decided by the judge
What is the Daubert Standard?
The part of the scientific method that means one step informing another to start the cycle of inquiry again and again.
What is feedback?
A type of forensic evidence that is unique to every person including twins.
What are fingerprints?
This is what only expert witnesses are allowed to testify about in a courtroom
What is their area of expertise or opinions?
This is the reason why we evidence has to be dried before it is packaged
What is mold?
What is the CSI Effect?
Errors that can occur during the design stage, during the study itself, or during the interpretation of data from a study, leading to inaccurate conclusions.
What is bias?
The forensic study of the skeleton and bones
What is Forensic Anthropology?