Forensic Science – Observation Skills Vocabulary List

What is the term for the following definition? What you notice using your five senses—sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste.

• Observation

• Prediction

• Hypothesis

• Experiment

What is the term for the following definition? How your brain interprets what you observe; it can be influenced by emotions, past experiences, or expectations.

• Perception

• Sensation

• Attention

• Memory

What is the term for the following definition? Something that can be proven true and is based on real evidence.

• Fact

• Opinion

• Prediction

• Assumption

What is the term for the following definition? A conclusion you make based on facts and observations (like an educated guess).

• Inference

• Prediction

• Hypothesis

• Assumption

What is the term for the following definition? Someone who sees a crime or accident happen and reports what they remember.

• Eyewitness

• Suspect

• Detective

• Victim

What is the term for the following definition? The use of science to solve crimes and answer legal questions.

• Forensic Science

• Botany

• Astrology

• Geology

What is the term for the following definition? Observations based on descriptions, like color or texture (no numbers involved).

• Qualitative Observation

• Quantitative Observation

• Scientific Law

• Hypothesis

What is the term for the following definition? Observations that include numbers, like measurements or amounts.

• Quantitative Observation

• Qualitative Observation

• Subjective Observation

• Descriptive Observation

What is the term for the following definition? Using general rules to make specific conclusions (e.g., All fingerprints are unique. This print is unique. So it must belong to someone).

• Deductive Reasoning

• Inductive Reasoning

• Abductive Reasoning

• Analogical Reasoning

What is the term for the following definition? Making general rules based on specific examples (e.g., These three hairs are blonde, so the suspect might be blonde).

• Inductive Reasoning

• Deductive Reasoning

• Analogical Reasoning

• Abductive Reasoning