Forensic Terminology – Part 3
This is the final installment of our Forensic Terminology Series.
To view the complete list of forensic terms, click below:
Part 1 – Terms A-D
Part 2 – Terms E-M
Stay Brutal!
KT. B
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Narcotic
Analgesic or pain-killing substance that depresses vital body functions such as blood pressure, pulse rate, and breathing rate.
Odontology
The study of the anatomy, growth, and diseases of the teeth. In the absence of other factors, ondontolgy can be used to identify human remains.
Orthotolidine Solution
A chemical solution that will determine whether a given stain contains blood.
Ouchterlony Test
A test that determines if a blood stain is human or animal.
Palynology
The study of pollens.
Pathology
The study of the essential nature of diseases and especially of the structural and functional changes produced by them.
Perspective Analysis
In order to determine the size of objects within a given photograph, analysts will identify one item in that photograph and measure the distance between that item and the camera used to make the photograph. This perspective allows them to measure everything in the photograph.
Petechial Hemorrhage
Small, pin-like hemorrhages that occur beneath the skin. Usually observed on the lining of the inner surface of the eyelids. This is a common result of death by asphyxiation or strangulation.
Photograph Analyst
A specialist who breaks down photographic images to identify suspects and to measure items and people within those images.
Any object that can establish that a crime has been committed, or can provide a link between a crime and its victim, or between a crime and its perpetrator.
Point-by-Point Analysis
When comparing a known object to one that needs to be identified, analysts will break down photos of each into small quadrants, and compare the respective similarities within those quadrants.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Scientists often refer to PCR as “photocopying DNA,” since it allows them to rapidly replicate DNA molecules. The technique usually is employed when a given sample of DNA is too small for forensic testing.
Psychological Profile
A tool used to aid investigators by providing speculative information about a perpetrator’s psychological makeup. Information from crime scenes is integrated with psychological theory and then cross-referenced against similar crimes. The result is a hypothetical model of the suspect that can include age, occupation, appearance, and personal information ranging from sexual preferences to dietary habits.
A person whose behavior is largely amoral and asocial, and who is characterized by perverse or impulsive behavior, and a lack of remorse for the consequences of this behavior.
Puncture Wound
A wound that is neither an impact wound nor one caused by a projectile; a piercing of the body, usually by a handheld object.
Questioned Documents
Any object that contains handwritten or typewritten markings whose source or authenticity are not known, but which is still relevant to the outcome of a legal proceeding.
Rape Kit
Biological material collected from a rape victim after the fact, to obtain genetic material of the suspected perpetrator.
Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLP)
Length differences associated with strands of DNA. These differences vary from person to person, thus providing a means to further identify DNA.
Reverse Paternity DNA
A method by which a person’s blood can be identified by comparing the DNA profiles of individuals believed to be that person’s parents. Individual DNA makeup is a combination of parental DNA. Siblings will share these patterns while retaining unique DNA markers.
Ridge Characteristics
Ridge endings, bifurcations, enclosures, and other ridge details, which must match in two fingerprints for their common origin to be established.
Secretor
An individual who secrets his or her blood-type antigen(s) in bodily fluids. Before DNA technology, blood type from bodily fluids other than blood could only be obtained from secretors, who make up about 80 percent of the population.
Serology
A technology dealing with the properties and actions of serums in blood; also known as “blood analysis.” This was the preferred
method of typing blood before the advent of DNA.
Serum
The liquid that separates from the blood when a clot is formed.
Spectrograph
A technology that measures how a given object responds to frequencies within the light spectrum. Objects can be identified and their properties visually clarified by use of this technology.
Sublimation
A physical change from a solid directly into a gaseous state.
Super Glue Fuming
Techniques used to develop latent fingerprints on non-porous surfaces. A chemical in the glue reacts with and adheres to the finger oils, and then expose latent prints.
Toxicology
The study of poisons and drugs and their effect on human and animal populations.
Trace Evidence
Material deposited at a crime scene that can only be detected through a deliberate processing procedure. An individual enteringany environment will deposit traces of his or her presence, and this material can be used as evidence. Common sources of traceevidence are hairs and fibers.
From the Crime Scene to the Crime Lab
