Download Chapter 5 Definitions: Advanced Fingerprint Information Technology

Chapter 5 Definitions:
Advanced
Fingerprint
Information
Technology
(AFIT)
an integrated system, the precursor to which was the FBI’s AFIS, that can also incorporate
additional biometric data such as latent palmprints and facial recognition technology
associative
evidence
links a suspect with a crime
ballistics
the study of the dynamics of projectiles, from propulsion through flight to impact; a narrower
definition is the study of the functioning of firearms
best evidence
original object, or the highest available degree of proof that can be produced
biometrics
statistical study of biological data and a means to positively identify an individual by
measuring that person’s unique physical or behavioral characteristics such as fingerprints
bore
inside portion of a weapon’s barrel, which is surrounded by raised ridges called lands and
recessed areas called grooves
caliber
diameter of a weapon’s bore as measured between lands, as well as the size of bullet intended
for use with a specific weapon
cast
to make an impression using plaster of Paris or a similar substance; also, the physical
reproduction of such an impression
chain of
custody
see chain of evidence
chain of
evidence
documentation of what has happened to evidence from the time it was discovered until it is
needed in court, including every person who has had custody of the evidence and why
class
characteristics
features that place an item into a specific category; for example, the size and shape of a tool
competent
evidence
has been properly collected, identified, filed and continuously secured
contamination
post-crime transfer of material to or from evidence
corpus delicti
“body of the crime”; elements of a specific crime; evidence establishing that a specific crime
has been committed
corpus delicti
evidence
establishes that a crime was committed
crosscontamination
allowing items of evidence to touch one another and thus exchange matter
Daubert
standard
two-pronged requirement that an expert’s testimony be both reliable and relevant
direct evidence establishes proof of a fact without any other evidence
DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) organic substance found in the nucleus of living cells that provides the
genetic code determining a person’s individual characteristics
DNA profiling forensic analysis of blood, hair, saliva, semen or cells from almost any part of the body to
ascertain a positive identity or match
elimination
fingerprints taken of every individual whose prints are likely to be found at the crime scene but
prints
who are not suspects
evidence
data on which a judgment or conclusion may be based; used for determining the facts in a case,
for later laboratory examination and for direct presentation in court
forensic
science
application of the physical sciences and their technology to examining physical evidence of
crimes; includes the branch of criminalistics
indirect
evidence
evidence from which inferences are drawn; fact or event that tends to incriminate a person in a
crime; for example, being seen running from a crime scene; also called circumstantial evidence
individual
characteristics
features that distinguish one item from others of the same type; also called identifying
characteristics
inkless
fingerprint
digital, live-scan capture of a fingerprint that can be stored in a database for rapid retrieval
integrity of
evidence
referring to the requirement that any item introduced in court must be in the same condition as
when it was found at the crime scene
latent
fingerprints
print impressions transferred to a surface, either by sweat on the ridges of the fingers or
because the fingers carry residue of oil, dirt, blood or other substances
material
evidence
that which is relevant to the specific case and forms a substantive part of the case presented or
that has a legitimate and effective influence on the decision of the case
physical
evidence
anything real—that has substance— and helps establish the facts of a case
plastic
fingerprints
impressions left in soft substances such as putty, grease, tar, butter or soft soap. See also
visible prints
prima facie
evidence
established by law; for example, the blood alcohol level for intoxication; also called direct
evidence
probative
evidence
tends to prove or actually proves guilt or innocence; vital for the investigation or prosecution
of a case
proxy data
remnants of an interaction, transfer or exchange of material between two items (see Locard’s
exchange principle); the evidence analyzed by forensic scientists to uncover the relationships
between people, places and objects
relevant
evidence
applies to the matter in question
rifling
lands and grooves inside a weapon, which grip and spin the bullet as it passes through the bore,
providing greater projectile control and accuracy
standard of
comparison
object, measure or model with which evidence is compared to determine whether both
originated from the same source
striations
highly individualized and characteristic scratches made on a projectile (bullet) as it passes
through a weapon’s rifling; provide valuable comparison evidence on recovered bullets
tool mark
impression left by a tool on a surface
trace evidence
extremely small physical matter
visible
fingerprints
prints made when fingers are dirty or stained and leave their impression on a glossy or lightcolored surface and can be dusted and lifted
voiceprint
graphic record of an individual’s voice characteristics made by a sound spectrograph of the
energy patterns emitted by speech