Forensic Evidence Terms

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chain of custody

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the process of protecting evidence from the crime scene to the lab by keeping a record of all people who have had possession of the item.

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Bindle

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A paper folded into thirds that is used to hold very small items such as fibers and hair so they are not lost on the way to the lab to be analyzed.

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Direct Evidence

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evidence that (if true) proves an alleged fact, such as an eyewitness account of a crime, photographs, or video

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circumstantial evidence

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Evidence, based on circumstances or incidents, which does not directly prove a fact, but it points out the guilt of a person indirectly, by linking the chain of events to reach the final conclusion. (DNA, Fingerprints, fibers, etc.)

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eyewitness testimony

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testimony by eyewitnesses to a crime. Often faulty due to factors such as- age, drugs, traumatic events, simple disguises such as hats, hoods, and sunglasses, persuasion from media, detectives, or other witnesses.

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Physical Evidence

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Any object that can establish that a crime has been committed or can link a crime and its victim or its perpetrator. (Weapons, fingerprints, shoe prints, fibers, etc.)

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Biological Evidence

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Something that can establish that a crime has been committed or that can link a crime and its victim or its perpetrator that is biological in nature- body fluids, hair, plant parts, natural fibers.

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Locard's Exchange Principle

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Whenever two objects or people come into contact with one another, there is exchange of materials between them. The extent of transfer is based on Intensity and duration of contact, as well as the nature of the objects themselves.

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trace evidence

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small but measurable amounts of physical or biological material found at a crime scene that was transferred from one person or object in contact with another person or object (Examples- DNA, fibers, hair, mud.)

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class evidence

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material that can be associated only with a group of items that share properties or characteristics (Examples include- Fibers, blood type, hair sample with NO root attached)