Forensics Types of Evidence Vocabulary

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Eyewitness Misidentification

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The most common reason for wrongful convictions, where a witness incorrectly identifies a suspect.

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Chain of Custody

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A list of who handled the evidence and when, crucial for preventing fraud or tampering.

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Circumstantial Evidence

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Evidence that relies on an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact, such as hairs found at a crime scene.

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Direct Evidence

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Evidence that directly links a suspect to a crime, such as eyewitness testimony or surveillance footage.

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False Confession

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When an innocent person admits to a crime they did not commit, often due to coercion or pressure.

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Improper Forensics

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Use of flawed or incorrect forensic methods that can lead to wrongful convictions.

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DNA Evidence

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Biological evidence that can be used to identify individuals with a high degree of certainty.

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Fiber Evidence

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Material that can link a suspect to a crime scene, often used in conjunction with other evidence.

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Forensic Science

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The application of scientific methods and techniques to investigate crimes.

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Physical Evidence

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Any tangible object that can establish that a crime has been committed or can link a suspect to a crime.