Body of Evidence
What is DNA?
the molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all living organisms
What are Loops, Whorls, and Arches?
three basic fingerprint patterns used in forensic science and dactyloscopy (fingerprint analysis)
What is the caliber?
the degree of quality, ability, or excellence of a person or thing, or the diameter of a gun barrel bore and its ammunition
What is a Breathalyzer?
a device used to measure the amount of alcohol in a person's breath to estimate their blood alcohol content (BAC).
What is Locard's Exchange Principle?
whenever two objects come into contact with one another, a cross-transfer of physical material occurs
What is Luminol?
a chemical compound (C8H7N3O2) that produces a striking blue glow when it mixes with an oxidizing agent
What are Latent prints?
an invisible or barely visible impression left on a surface by the transfer of natural body oils and sweat from friction ridge skin
What is NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network)?
the only national automated ballistic imaging network in the United States that allows federal, state, and local law enforcement to capture, store, and compare ballistic evidence from crime scenes and recovered firearms
What is Arsenic?
a naturally occurring chemical element and metalloid
What is the Chain of Custody?
the chronological paper trail and documentation that tracks the collection, transfer, control, analysis, and safekeeping of evidence
What is Polymerase Chain Reaction?
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a lab technique used to make millions or billions of copies of a specific DNA segment from a small initial sample
What are minutiae?
inutiae means small, precise, or minor details that are often trivial and unimportant.
What is rifling?
a system of spiral grooves cut inside the barrel of a firearm or cannon that forces a bullet to spin, which keeps it stable and accurate in flight
What is Chromatography?
a laboratory technique used to separate a mixture into its individual chemical components
What is securing medical assistance / ensuring safety?
coordinated protocols, physical safeguards, and rapid-response systems designed to protect patients, staff, and visitors while delivering vital car
What is mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)?
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is the small, circular chromosome found inside the mitochondria—the structures in your cells that produce energy
What is Superglue (or Cyanoacrylate)?
a fast-acting, high-strength liquid adhesive that hardens almost instantly when it touches moisture. [1, 2, 3]
What is Gunshot Residue (GSR)?
the cloud of microscopic burnt and unburnt particles expelled from a firearm when it is discharged
What is Carbon Monoxide?
a deadly, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas produced by the incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels.
What is plastic? (They must be stored in paper bags)
a synthetic or semi-synthetic material made from long chains of molecules called polymers,
What are satellite spatters?
a small droplet of blood that breaks free from a main central bloodstain (the parent drop) when it strikes a target surface
What are identical twins?
two offspring that develop from a single fertilized egg splitting into two separate embryos.
What is a comparison microscope?
a specialized optical device that connects two separate microscopes with an optical bridge, allowing a user to view two distinct objects side-by-side in a single split-field view
What is "the dose makes the poison"?
any chemical substance can be harmful if taken in a large enough quantity,
What is the Pythagorean Theorem (or basic trigonometry/sine function)?
the square of the longest side equals the sum of the squares of the two shorter sides