Unit 1 - Introduction to Forensic Science and the Law
No description yet. This curated deck is ready for daily study.
Card preview (24)
Forensic Science
the study and applications of science to matters of law
Criminalistics
the examination of physical evidence
How do the terms forensic science and criminalistics compare?
Criminalistics looks at only physical evidence. Forensic Science is all areas of science.
Evidence
anything that tends to establish or disprove a fact. Can include testimony, documents, and other objects.
Ballistics
the science that deals with the motion, behavior, and effects of projectiles, most often firearms and bullets.
first task when examining evidence
identify what it is and where it came from
Odontology
in forensics, examination of bite marks and dental identification of corpse
Pathology
investigation of sudden, unexplained, or violent death
Entomology
the study of insects
Palynology
the study of pollen and sperm
Polygraphy
the use of the “lie detector”
Locard Principle
Whenever two objects come into contact, there is always a transfer of material.
In the US, what is the final authority on laws pertaining to individual rights and on the power of the government to create laws and to create limits on punishments?
The United States Constitution
Statutory law (written law, codified law)
legislative acts declaring, commanding, or prohibiting something (made by US or state Congress, etc). Based on the Constitution.
Common law (case law)
the body of law made up of judicial opinions and precedents
Stare decisis
“to stand by the decision”, meaning previous legal decisions are to be followed
Civil law (private law)
• law that deals with noncriminal suits brought to protect or preserve a civil or private right or matter • often deals with relationships between people and/or businesses • cases must be brought by a person, not a government • Concerned with blame and not intent • Guilt is proved by a “preponderance of evidence” • usually results in fines or transfer of property; never jail time
Criminal law (public law)
• regulation and enforcement of rights • looks at relationship between individual and society • setting the acceptable limits of conduct in society • cases are brought by govenment against individual • concerned with intent • guilt is proved “beyond the benefit of a doubt” • usually results in fines, community service, jail time, or death
Misdemeanor
a minor crime, less than a felony, usually punished with a fine or confinement other than in a prison
Felony
a serious crime, such as murder, punishable by more than one year of imprisonment up to execution
Equity Law
Remedial or preventative (injunctions, restraining orders, etc)
Probable cause
Situation in which a reasonable and prudent person, viewing the available information, would conclude that a crime has been committed and that the suspect committed it.
Administrative Law
Law made by an organization (can be a govenment agency) that is concerned with how the organization or those within the organization function or behave. Examples: • IRS • Social Security Administration • US Military • CISD
Violation
a breach of a right, duty, or law