Forensics
This branch of science applies scientific knowledge to law enforcement
What is forensic science
The "proximate cause" of death refers to this initial injury in a sequence of fatal events
What is the first injury leading to death
This forensic field studies poisons and drugs found in body fluids and tissues.
What is forensic toxicology
Profiling works by studying crime scenes and consulting databases built from this
What are interviews with convicted criminals
This type of forgery uses tape to lift a signature and place it on another document.
What is lifted forgery
This type of evidence often left behind by criminals is the cornerstone of forensic investigations.
What is physical evidence
A forensic anthropologist can identify a person by comparing this to a missing person's medical history
What are X-rays
This instrument can magnify objects 100,000 times, aiding in detecting gunpowder particles.
What is a microscope
Gunpowder residue is crucial for estimating this aspect of a gunshot wound.
What is the distance between the shooter and the victim
These marks indicate repeated attempts in suicide cases involving cuts
What are hesitation wounds
Forensic scientists assist these two groups by applying science to the law.
What are law enforcement and the judicial system?
This type of witness provides court testimony based on specialized knowledge.
What is an expert witness
This type of forgery involves copying writing using tracing paper or transmitted light
What is traced forgery
The medical examiner must determine if a violent death was one of these three categories
What are accident, suicide, or homicide
This field studies the human mind and may be used in criminal profiling.
What is forensic psychiatry
Expert witnesses differ from ordinary witnesses because they can express this in court
What is an opinion about evidence
Striations on a bullet help match it to this
What is the firearm that fired it
This advanced method allows forensic scientists to identify individuals through genetic material.
What is DNA fingerprinting
Massachusetts adopted this statewide system in 1877 to professionalize death investigations.
What is the Office of the Medical Examiner
This specialist examines human remains to determine characteristics like height and ethnicity.
What is a forensic anthropologist
This process ensures documents or images can be traced back to their original printers.
What is forensic document examination
This role involves studying structural changes in the body resulting from injury.
What is a forensic pathologist
This method detects substances like barbiturates, cocaine, and amphetamines
What is gas chromatography
This forensic expert analyzes teeth to identify victims when fingerprints are unavailable.
What is a forensic odontologist
This office, established by King Richard I, marked the beginning of forensic science in England.
What is the Office of the Coroner