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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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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Circumstantial Evidence

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Evidence that suggests a fact or event but does not directly prove it, requiring inference.

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Locard's Principle of Exchange

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States that when a person comes in contact with another person or object, there is a cross-transfer of materials.

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Forensic Evidence

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Physical evidence collected from a crime scene that can be analyzed scientifically.

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DNA Evidence

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Biological evidence that can uniquely identify an individual, often used in criminal cases.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

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Fiber Evidence

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Trace evidence that can link a suspect to a crime scene through the transfer of textile fibers.

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Government Misconduct

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Actions by law enforcement or prosecutors that violate legal standards, potentially leading to wrongful convictions.

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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 psychological pressure.