AAFS
American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Abrasion
Injury to the skin that removes epithelial layer.

Accelerant
A substance that is used to create and sometimes direct the spread of a fire. The most commonly used liquid accelerants include lighter fluid, kerosene, gasoline, and turpentine.

Accident Reconstruction
The use of physical evidence to build a theoretical model of a crime or accident scene to help reconstruct the events that took place.

Adipocere
A waxy, soap-like substance formed during the decomposition of bodies buried in moist places. Consisting principally of insoluble salts of fatty acids, it composes of oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids.

AFIS
Automated Fingerprint Identification System, a national database for storing and comparing fingerprints.

Algor Mortis
The decreasing of body temperature after death.

Allele

An alternative form of the same gene.

Alligatoring
A burn pattern in wood indicating hot fire.

ALS

Alternate light source.

Anthropology
The science of the anatomy of the human body, in particular the skeleton.

Anthropometry
The precursor of fingerprinting.

Arson
The crime of intentionally setting fire to buildings and other property.

Asphyxia

The inability to breath due to due obstruction of the resporatory system.

Autopsy
The internal examination of a body after death; performed to confirm or determine the cause of death.

Autorad
Common term for "Autoradiograph," the final product in a DNA analysis. Autorads, which look very much like bar-codes, are formed by the reaction of electricity with DNA. The reaction takes place on a nylon membrane, which is photographed against x-ray film.

Barefoot Morphology

The science of reading footprints.

Ballistics
The science of the motion of projectiles. When a bullet is fired, it will have distinctive characteristics caused by the gun from which it is fired. Examiners can use this evidence to match bullets or bullet fragments to specific weapons.

Bedouins
Skilled human trackers who serve on the Israeli Defense Force.

Benzidine Colour Test
A test formerly used to reveal the presence of blood at a crime scene.

Blood Spatter
The impact of spilled blood on surfaces. The pattern of the impact can provide vital information about the source of the blood. Blood spatter can help determine the size and type of wounds, the direction and speed with which the perpetrator or victim was moving, and the type of weapons used to create the blood spill.

Blood Volume Test
A test used to show the amount of blood shed in a particular area. It also shows just how much blood was shed to create a given stain or blood spatter pattern, and the amount of time needed to create that stain.

Bloodstain Interpretation
The interpretation of size, shape, orientation, and distribution of bloodstains on various surfaces, and what information can be derived from the proper interpretation of the stains.

Botany
The scientific study of plants. Plant matter found at crime scenes is organic material and has unique DNA sequences.

Buccal Swab
Swabs taken from the mouth for collecting epithelials for DNA analysis.

Bullet Track
The path, or trajectory, of a bullet as it passes through matter, such as a body.

Cadaveric Spasm
Sudden rigidty of muscles immediately after death.

Calibre
The diameter of the bore of a rifled firearm, usually expressed in hundredths of an inch.

Cast-off Blood
Blood that travels from a source due to the movement of that source. A bleeding person will cast-off blood, as will a weapon or other item that is in movement.

Cast-off Trails
The patterns that are created by cast-off blood.

Cause of Death
The injury or disease that led to/caused death. This is determined by the post mortem examination.

Chromosome
A rod-like structure in the nucleus of a cell along which genes are located.

Clinical Forensic Nursing
The application of nursing to trauma survivors or to crime victims, involving the identification of the unrecognised, unidentified injuries, and the processing of forensic evidence.

CODIS
Combined DNA Index System - the FBI database for genetic material.

Cold Case
An case that is unsolved but still open.

Comparison Microscope
A special microscope that allows two items to be viewed and compared at once.

Composite Drawing
A sketch of a suspect produced from eyewitness-descriptions of one or more persons.

Computer Forensics
The application of computer technology for the purpose of examining potential evidence. Specialists can recover data that has been deleted, encrypted, or damaged.

Corpus Delicti
Essential body of facts that indicate a crime has occured. Means 'body of the crime'.

Cranio-Facial Reconstruction
Technique of producing a 3D model of head and face from a skull.

Crime Scene
The original scene at which a crime took place.

Crime Scene Staging
The attempt by a perpetrator or accomplice to alter a crime scene in order to reduce its evidentiary value.

Criminal Profiling
A tool used to aid investigators by providing information about the type of individual committing a specific crime. Information taken from the crime scene is integrated with known psychological theory and the history and background of the victim to draw up a biographical sketch of the perpetrator.

Criminology
The study of criminal activity and how it is dealt with by the law.

Dactyloscopy

The technique of developing and identifying fingerprints.

Decomposition
The breaking down of bodily substances that occurs after death.

Diatom
A microscopic, single-cell algae found in natural bodies of water.

DNA
Deoxyribonucleic Acid. Constructed of a double helix, DNA is the genetic material contained in cells. All organic matter has a specific DNA sequence; these sequences act like a genetic fingerprint and are one of the best methods for identifying bodily matter, such as blood or saliva.

DNA Databanks
Databases which store DNA profiles collected from various classes of offenders. DNA from a given crime can be entered into the databank; it can then be matched with DNA profiles from other crimes, providing potential matches from previous convictions.

DNA Profiling
The process of testing to identify DNA patterns or types. In forensic science this testing is used to indicate parentage or to exclude or include individuals as possible sources of bodily fluid stains and other biological evidence.

Electrophoresis
A technique by which DNA fragments are placed in a gel and charged with electricity. The process separates the fragments, as part of the process of creating a genetic profile.

Entomology
The scientific study of insects. The type of insects and their state of development, in combination with weather data and the condition of a decomposing body, can provide forensic investigators with the minimum time since death.

Epidemiology
The study of the occurrence, distribution, and causes of disease in human and animal populations.

ESDA
Electrostatic Detection Apparatus

Evidence
Anything that has been used, left, removed, altered, or contaminated during the a crime.

Exhumed Corpse
A corpse that has been dug up after burial.

Fibres
Tiny pieces of cloth or textile often found at a scene.

Fingerprint
The unique patterns created by skin ridges found on the palm sides of fingers and thumbs.

Firearms
Another term for guns.

Fluoresce
When a substance emits visible light when exposed to light of a shorter wavelength. Ultraviolet light, for example, will cause many objects to fluoresce.

Forensic Animation
The use of video technology to recreate crime scenes. Forensic animations are sometimes entered into evidence so jurors can view a sequence of events that otherwise could only be described by opposing attorneys. However this is not always allowed in court.

Forensic Meteorology
The study of weather patterns and how they relate to the investigation of crimes.

Forensic Psychologist
A mental health professional who examines suspects, perpetrators and victims in order to establish their psychological state and their ability to participate in the legal process.

Forensic Pathology
The study of how and why people die, relating to crimes.

Forensic Science
The application of science to law and the investigation of criminal activity.

Forensic Sculpting
The attempt by a sculptor to create a likeness of a given individual using his or her skull.

Gas Chromatography
A machine used to separate and analyse samples.

Gene
A unit of inheritance located on a chromosome.

Genetic Fingerprinting
The use of DNA technology to identify individuals.

Geographic Profiling
A method to help investigators locate serial offenders. The sites and times of serial crimes in a given jurisdiction are entered into a computer program. This program then processes the information to give investigators a areas in which the perpetrator may live and operate.

Gas Chromatograph (GC)
A forensic tool used to identify the chemical makeup of substances used in the commission of crimes. The questioned substance is burned at high temperatures. The temperature at which this material becomes gas is then charted to determine its makeup.

GSR
Gun Shot Residue. The gun powder left after a gun is fired.

Haemoglobin
A red blood cell protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the bloodstream. Also provides the red colouring of blood.

High Explosive
Any explosive with a velocity of detonation greater than 1000 meters per second. Dynamite is a high explosive.

Laser
Stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A device that produces a coherent beam of optical radiation by stimulating electronic, ionic, or molecular transitions in order to create energy.

Latent Fingerprint
A fingerprint made by deposits of oils and/or perspiration, not usually visible to the human eye. Various technologies can be used to identify latent prints.

Lie Detector
Also known as a Polygraph. A machine that charts how respiration and other bodily functions change as questions are asked of the person being tested. Though not always effective, can give an indication as to whether a person is lying or not.

Limnology

The study of fresh waters (lakes and ponds) is including their biological, physical, and chemical aspects.

Lividity
Also known as liver mortis or hypostasis. Post mortem discoloration caused by the gravitation of blood to various parts of the body. Can be used to help determine time of death, and placement of a body after death.

Low Explosive
An explosive with a velocity of detonation less than 100 meters per second. Gunpowder is a low explosive.

Luminol
A chemical that is capable of detecting bloodstains. Luminol is used to identify blood that has been removed from a given area. It is an invaluable tool for investigators at altered crime scenes.

M.O., or ‘Method of Operation’
From the Latin, Modus Operandi. Refers to method by which crimes are committed.

Manner of Death
An explanation of the way in which death is caused. Medicolegal manners of death are: homicide, suicide, accidental, natural, and undetermined.

Medical Examiner
A medical doctor who determines causes of death, performs autopsies, and acts as an expert witness in criminal and civil trials where cause and/or manner of death are relevant.

Microspectrophotometry
The use of an electronic microscope in which electrons are beamed onto the specimen. The analyst then charts the electron emissions that are created in order to identify the specimen.

Mitochondrial DNA
A short sequence found outside of the cell nucleus in cells. Called mitochondria, this material is used in the absence of quality genetic material. Hairs and fingernails are good sources of mitochondria.

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. 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 bloodstain 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 Haemorrhage
Small, pin-like haemorrhages that occur beneath the skin. Usually observed on the lining of the inner surface of the eyelids, this is common result of death by asphyxiation or strangulation.

Phenolpthalein Test
A test used to determine whether a substance is blood.

Photograph Analyst
A specialist who breaks down photographic images to identify suspects and to measure items and people within those images.

Physical Evidence
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.

Polygraph
See lie detector.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Scientists often refer to PCR as photocopying DNA, since it allows them to rapidly replicate DNA molecules. The technique is usually used 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.

Psychopathic Personality
A person whose behaviour is largely amoral and asocial, and who is characterized by perverse or impulsive behaviour, and a lack of remorse for the consequences of this behaviour.

Puncture Wound
A wound that is neither an impact wound nor one caused by a projectile; a piercing of the body. This is usually caused by a hand-held object.

Questioned Documents
Any object that contains handwritten or typewritten markings whose source or authenticity are not known.

Rape Kit
Biological material collected from a rape victim after the fact, to obtain genetic material of the suspected perpetrator.

Rigor Mortis
The stiffening of the body muscles after death.

Ridge Characteristics
Ridge endings, bifurcations, enclosures, and other ridge details, which must match in two fingerprints for their common origin to be established.
Serology
A technology dealing with the properties and actions of serums in blood; also known as blood analysis.

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.

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 the body.

Trace Evidence
Material deposited at a crime scene that can only be detected through a deliberate processing procedure. An individual entering any environment often deposits traces of his/her presence, and this material can be used as evidence, for example hairs and fibres.

UV Light

Ultra-Violet Light.

Wounds
Another term for injuries.