Forensic Science – Crime Scene Investigation Vocabulary

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Crime Scene

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The location where a crime took place and evidence can be found and collected.

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Evidence

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Anything that can be used to prove what happened during a crime (physical objects, biological material, or digital traces).

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Physical Evidence

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Tangible items collected from a crime scene, like a weapon, clothing, or bullet casing.

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Biological Evidence

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Evidence that comes from a living thing—like blood, saliva, hair, skin cells, or other bodily fluids.

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Trace Evidence

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Tiny pieces of evidence like hair, fibers, or glass that are transferred from person to person or object.

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Direct Evidence

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Evidence that clearly proves a fact—such as a video recording or an eyewitness statement.

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Circumstantial Evidence

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Evidence that suggests a fact but does not prove it directly—like finding someone’s fingerprints near the scene.

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First Responder

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The first person (usually law enforcement or EMS) to arrive at a crime scene and secure it.

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Scene Security

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Steps taken to protect a crime scene from contamination or tampering.

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Chain of Custody

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The documented record of who handled each piece of evidence and when, to ensure its integrity.