Forensic Science Unit 3: Physical Evidence

Soil

surface material from the earth, both natural and artificial

Ridge Characteristics

the ridge endings, enclosures, and other details that make up a fingerprint

Radial Fractures

extend outward from point of impact, almost like the spokes on a wheel.

Probability

the frequency of an event

Physical Properties

describe a substance or object without referring to any other substance

Physical Evidence

includes tangible objects, including weapons, trace evidence like hair, blood or fibers, and fingerprints

Mintutiae

the ridge endings, enclosures, and other details that make up a fingerprint

Individuals Characteristics

properties associated with a common source due to a high degree of certainty

Identification

the process of determining the chemical or physical characteristics of a piece of evidence with as much certainty as possible

Documentary Evidence

any type of written or recorded evidence, such as a recording of a telephone conversation or a video recording of a crime

Demonstrative Evidence

evidence that is used to help recreate or illustrate a crime

Concentric Fractures

fractures that form a circle around the point of impact

Comparison

the process of testing a suspect sample with a known sample to prove whether or not they share a common origin

Class Characteristics

can only be associated with a group and not a single source

Chemical Properties

describe what happens when a substance reacts with another substance

Testimony

the evidence given by witnesses during a trial