Forensic Science Overview

Cuticle = The outermost layer of a hair strand, made up of overlapping dead cells Cortex = The middle layer of a hair shaft, and is the thickest layer of hair Medulla = The innermost layer of the hair shaft

Arches = Have a mound-like shape with ridges that flow from one side to the other Tented Arches = Similar to arches, but with a more pronounced upward thrust in the center Loops = Have concentric ridges that flow in one side, recurve, and exit on the same side Whorls = Have ridges that form circles or spirals

Independent Variable = Variables that are specifically changed in an experiment Dependent Variable = Variables that are being measured in an experiment Control = A baseline that is not affected by the independent variable

<p>Minutiae = Tiny details in fingerprints that make them unique Matched Minutiae = Minimum of 12 that must be matched to establish an identical fingerprint</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes) = Carry oxygen White Blood Cells (Leukocytes) = Fight infection Platelets (Thrombocytes) = Help with blood clotting Plasma = Carries blood cells and substances</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Presumptive Test = Initial screening indicating possible substance presence Confirmatory Test = Rigorous test for definitive identification Screening Test = Initial indication of substance Definitive Test = Conclusive proof of substance presence</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Type A = A Antigen Type B = B Antigen Type AB = A &amp; B Antigens Type O = None</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Deoxyribose Sugar = Pentose Sugar Nitrogen Bases = A base that pairs with T or C pairs with G Phosphate Group = Part of the nucleotide structure Nucleotide = Building block of DNA</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Livor mortis = Blood pooling to one side of the body due to gravity Rigor mortis = Stiffness of muscles and joints post-death Algor mortis = Decrease in body temperature to match the environment Insect activity = Presence of insects indicating time since death</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cell = Blood cell Tissue = Muscle Organ = Stomach Organ system = Respiratory system</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Frontal lobe = Higher cognitive functions like planning Parietal lobe = Processes sensory information like touch Temporal lobe = Processes auditory information Occipital lobe = Processes visual information</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Epithelial tissue = Covering and lining surfaces Connective tissue = Supporting and binding structures Muscle tissue = Contraction and movement Nervous tissue = Transmitting electrical signals</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Valve defects = Valves cannot open or close properly Septal defects = A hole in the wall of the heart TBI = Single blow to the head CTE = Multiple blows to the head leading to worse effects</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Chromosomes = Structures containing DNA that carry genes Genes = Functional units of heredity located on chromosomes DNA = Long strands that make up chromosomes RFLPs = Unique fragment lengths created by restriction enzymes</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Prokaryotic = Cells without a nucleus Eukaryotic = Cells with a nucleus Bacteria = Example of prokaryotic cells Plants = Example of eukaryotic cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>PCR = Amplifies small amounts of DNA Restriction Enzymes = Cuts DNA at specific sites Gel Electrophoresis = Separates DNA fragments based on size DNA Fingerprinting = Creates a unique pattern for identification</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cause of Death = Specific disease or injury leading to death Manner of Death = How the death occurred Mechanism of Death = Physiological process causing body to stop functioning Homicide = An example of manner of death</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Bladder = Urinary System - Filters and removes waste Heart = Cardiovascular System - Pumps blood Lungs = Respiratory System - Facilitates gas exchange Brain = Nervous System - Controls body functions</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Endocrine System = Pituitary Immune System = Thymus Digestive System = Gallbladder Lymphatic System = Lymph Node</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Restriction Enzymes = Create unique DNA fragment lengths PCR = Detects minute quantities of DNA Gel Electrophoresis = Visualizes DNA profiles RFLPs = Represents variations in DNA sequences</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cardiovascular System = Circulates blood and nutrients Nervous System = Processes sensory information Respiratory System = Inhales oxygen and exhales carbon dioxide Urinary System = Regulates water and electrolytes</p> Signup and view all the answers