Forensic science glossary

20 terms

This glossary is about forensic science. If you want to do this job, you need to study in Sciences at Cegep for doing this field of study. This glossary can also help if you want to know the terms they are using. People who work in forensic science has for mission to help investigators to resolve crime.

anthropometry
The scientific study of the measurements and proportions of the human body.
ballistics
The science of projectiles and firearms.
bloodstain patterns analysis
The interpretation of bloodstains at a crime scene.
calibers
The internal diameter or bore of a gun barrel.
chromatography
A laboratory technique for the separation of a mixture into its components.
civil law
The legal code of ancient Rome; codified under Justinian; the basis for many modern systems of civil law.
criminal
Relating to crime or to the prosecution of suspects in a crime.
criminal investigation
An undertaking that seeks, collects, and gathers evidence of a crime for a case or specific purpose.
criminal procedure
The rules and regulations governing criminal proceedings, from investigation to final sentencing and identifying criminal liability.
DNA
The fundamental and distinctive characteristics or qualities of someone or something.
expert witnesses
Someone with special knowledge, skill, training, and experience, like an engineer or a doctor.
fingerprints
The impression of a fingertip on any surface.
fire debris
Standard test method for ignitable liquid residues in extracts from fire debris samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer.
firearms
A rifle, pistol, or other portable gun.
genetic code
The correspondence between the genotype and the phenotype of an organism.
investigation
The action of investigating something or someone; formal or systematic examination or research.
microscopy
The use of the microscope.
prosecution
The institution and conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge.
toxicology
The science of adverse effects of chemical substances on living organisms.
uhlenhuth test
The most common test for confirmation that a sample is blood.