CSI Vocabulary

Crime Scene a location where a crime took place (or another location where evidence of the crime may be found) Investigator a person who carries out a formal inquiry or investigation Investigation occurs when an officer makes detailed and systematic inquiries or observations Forensic science the scientific method of gathering and examining information about the past Fingerprints an impression or mark made on a surface by a person's fingertip, esp. as used for identifying individuals from the unique pattern of whorls and lines Autopsy a postmortem examination to discover the cause of death or the extent of disease Crime lab a scientific laboratory where all evidence collected at the crime scene is processed and analyzed Body Bag a bag used for carrying a corpse from the scene of a crime Fibers a threadlike structure forming part of the muscular, nervous, connective, or other tissue in the human or animal body. Bullet track the path if a bullet Blood Splatter the pattern made by a bloodstain Ballistics - the scientific study of the characteristics of projectiles, such as bullets or missiles, and the way they move in flight

Composite drawing - sketch of a suspect produced by what a witness saw, created by a sketch artist Computer Forensics the use of technology to research potential evidence Evidence anything associated during the commission of a crime TOD Time of Death Ante mortem anything occurring before death Postmortem anything occurring after death Latex gloves make sure your hands do not contaminate with the evidence Evidence bags used to keep each piece of evidence separate Camera used to take photographs to document the crime scene Photographs many are taken from different angles, views, and closeups UV light reveals certain types of fluids, fiber evidence, etc. Logbook used to note down everything in the crime scene, you may have to present in court as an expert witness Scalpel used to slice off small samples or scrape away ingrained material