www.rkmfiles.

net

DEFINITION OF TERMS IN CRIMINALISTICS

REVIEW NOTES 2013 BAGUIO

1. Computational forensics-concerns the development of algorithms and software to

assist forensic examination.
2. Criminalistics-is the application of various sciences to answer questions relating to
examination and comparison of biological evidence, trace evidence, impression
evidence (such as fingerprints, footwear impressions, and tire tracks), controlled
substances, ballistics, firearm and toolmark examination, and other evidence in
criminal investigations. In typical circumstances evidence is processed in a Crime lab.
3. Digital forensics-is the application of proven scientific methods and techniques in order
to recover data from electronic / digital media. Digital Forensic specialists work in the
field as well as in the lab.
4. Forensic accounting-is the study and interpretation of accounting evidence
5. Forensic aerial photography-is the study and interpretation of aerial photographic
evidence
6. Forensic anthropology- is the application of physical anthropology in a legal setting,
usually for the recovery and identification of skeletonized human remains.
7. Forensic archaeology- is the application of a combination of archaeological techniques
and forensic science, typically in law enforcement.
8. Crime Investigation Department (CID)- is the branch of all Territorial police forces
within the British Police and many other Commonwealth police forces, to which plain
clothes detectives belong. It is thus distinct from the Uniformed Branch and the Special
Branch.
9. Surveillance- legal investigative process entailing a close observing or listening to a
person in effort to gather evidentiary information about the commission of a crime, or
lesser improper behavior (as with surveillance of wayward spouse in domestic relations
proceedings). Wiretapping, eavesdropping, shadowing, tailing, and electronic
observation are all examples of this law-enforcement technique.
10. Tailing- other term for cover surveillance
11. Case-A situation that requires investigation, especially by a formal or official body.
12. Deposition-In the law of the United States, a deposition is the out-of-court oral
testimony of a witness that is reduced to writing for later use in court or for discovery
purposes.
13. Deception-acts to propagate beliefs that are not true, or not the whole truth (as in half-
truths or omission). Deception can involve dissimulation, propaganda, and sleight of
hand. It can employ distraction, camouflage or concealment. There is also self-
deception as in bad faith.
 www.rkmfiles.net

14. Undercover- is disguising one's own identity or using an assumed identity for the
purposes of gaining the trust of an individual or organization to learn secret
information or to gain the trust of targeted individuals in order to gain information or
evidence.
15. Relational transgressions-occur when people violate implicit or explicit relational rules.
These transgressions include a wide variety of behaviors. Scholars tend to delineate
relational transgressions into three categories or approaches. The first approach
focuses on the aspect of certain behaviors as a violation of relational norms and rules.
16. Close tail-A type of surveillance in which extreme precautions and actions are taken  in
not losing the subject.
17. Casing-A type of shadowing employed when a general impression of the subject’s
habits and associates is required.
18. Stake out  -A surveillance activity for the purpose of waiting the anticipated arrival of a
suspect or observing his actions from a fixed location.
19. Search -An examination of  an individual’s person, houses, or effects or a building, or
premises with the purpose of discovering contrabands or personal properties
connected in a crime.
20. Corroborative evidence- A  kind of evidence that tends to prove additional evidence  of
a different character  to the same point.
21. Case preparation-The process of bringing together in an illogical manner all evidence
collected during the investigation and present it to the prosecutor.
22. Entrapment-Ways and means are resorted for the purpose of trapping and capturing
the law breaker during the execution of a criminal act.
23. Excellent eyesight-A special qualification for an undercover agent.
24. Custodial investigation-The questioning of a person by law enforcement officers after
that person has been taken into custody.
25. Burden of proof (Latin: onus probandi) -is the obligation to shift the accepted
conclusion away from an oppositional opinion to one's own position.
26. Pro-active measures-Measures through which police seek to detect crimes, or
attempts to be present when they are committed, through the use of the undercover
agents, electronic devices for wiretapping or bugging, and stakeouts.
27. Follow-up investigation-An extension, or continuation of the preliminary investigation.
28. Prima facie evidence-Such facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonably
discreet and prudent man to believe that an offense has been committed and that the
object sought in connection with the offense are in the place sought to be searched.
29. Corpus delicti-It means that a specific crime was committed at a specified time, date
and place, and that the person named in his report committed the crime.
 www.rkmfiles.net

30. Police Visibility-Police seek to prevent crime by being present in places where crimes
might be committed and by alerting citizens to refrain from practices that make them
or their property vulnerable.
31. Confession- A statement of the suspect directly acknowledging his guilt.
32. Admission-It may be a direct acknowledgement of the truth of the guilty fact as charge
or of some essential part of the commission of the criminal act itself.
33. Background interview- The simplest type of interview which concerns with the
gathering of information regarding the personal circumstances of a person who is the
subject of investigation.
34. Modus operandi-It means method of operation.
35. Information, interrogation, instrumentation- The three tools in criminal investigation,
whereby their application varies in proportion on their necessity  to establish the guilt
of the accused in a criminal case.
36. Motive-It is one which induces the criminal to act and need not be shown in order to
obtain conviction.
37. Interview-The simple questioning of a person who is cooperating in the investigation.
38. Chain of custody-It involves a number of persons who might have handled evidence
between the time of the commission of the alleged offense and the disposition of the
case, should be kept to a minimum.
39. Physical evidence-A kind of evidence which may link the suspect to the crime scene or
offense.
40. Tracing evidence- Articles and materials which are found in connection with an
investigation and which help in establishing the identity of the perpetrator or the
circumstances under which the crime was committed or which in general, assist in the
prosecution of the criminal.
41. Wheel method-This may be applicable to a crime scene which is approximately circular
or oval.  The searchers gather at the center and proceed outward along radii or spokes.
42. Spiral method -The searchers follow each other in the path of a crime scene beginning
in the outside and circling around a central point.
43. Shadowing-Another term for tailing.
44. Informant-A person who gives necessary information to the investigator.  He may give
the information openly and even offer to be a witness or he may inform the
investigator surreptitiously and request to remain anonymous.
45. Tapping-The use of an equipment or tool to listen and record discreetly conversations
of other people.
 www.rkmfiles.net

46. Arson for profit-Most malicious fires are set by individuals secretly, it is  either set  for
revenge or self aggrandizing; or set by psychotic fire setter, or  for sexual gratification.
47. Evidence collection- It is, in most cases, the initial step for obtaining information to
determine the origin and cause of fire.
48. Carbon dioxide-A normal product of combustion, and is poisonous, especially when the
air supply to the fire is restricted.
49. Class D-   A type of fire that is the result of the combustion of certain metals in finely
divided forms; magnesium, potassium, zinc, etc….
50. Class A -A type of fire which results from burning of wood, paper, textiles, and other
carbonaceous materials.  Extinguishment of this fire is by quenching and cooling.
51. Firefighting- is the act of extinguishing fires. A firefighter fights fires to prevent loss of
life, and/or destruction of property and the environment. Firefighting is a highly
technical skill that requires professionals who have spent years training in both general
firefighting techniques and specialized areas of expertise.
52. Alligatoring effect- checking of charred wood, giving it the appearance of alligator
skin. Large rolling blisters indicate rapid intense heat, while small flat alligatoring
indicates long, low heat. (This myth was repeated in the NBS Handbook.)
53. Crazing of glass- formation of irregular cracks in glass due to rapid intense heat—
possible fire accelerant. (This myth was repeated in the NBS Handbook.)
54. Depth of char- depth of burning of wood—used to determine length of burn and
thereby locate the point of origin of the fire.
55. Line of demarcation- boundary between charred and uncharred material. On floors
or rugs, a puddle-shaped line of demarcation is believed to indicate a liquid fire
accelerant. In the cross section of wood, a sharp distinct line of demarcation indicates
a rapid, intense fire. (This myth was repeated in the NBS Handbook.)
56. Spalling- breaking off of pieces of the surface of concrete, cement or brick due to
intense heat. Brown stains around the spall indicate the use of a fire accelerant.4
57. V pattern- It is observed in structural fires and can be an indicator of the fire travel and
point of origin.
58. IFSTA- International Fire Service Training Association
59. Crazing- A pattern or network of fine, irregular lines in glass and wood.
60. Timing device-  A tool employed by an arsonist to delay the start of the fire and  allow
him to establish an alibi.
61. Accelerant-This catalytic combustion device is the most common means employed to
detect flammable vapors.
62. Pyromania -The irresistible impulse or compulsion to start a fire and  experience
gratification and satisfaction from it.
63. PD 1185-It is known as the “Fire Code of the Philippines.”
64. Blasting agent-Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidizer used to set off
explosives.
65. Combustible liquid-Any material having a flash point  at or above 37.80  degree Celsius 
or 100 degree Fahrenheit.
 www.rkmfiles.net

66. Corrosive liquid-any liquid that causes fire when in contact with organic matter.
67. Electrical arc-An extremely hot luminous bridge formed by the passage of an electric
current across the space between  two conductors.
68. Combustion-The active principle of burning, characterized by the heat and light
combustion.
69. Class B-A type of fire, of flammable  liquid and gasses.
70. Boiling point-The temperature at which a liquid is transformed  or converted to vapor.
71. Traffic- The movement of vehicles, and pedestrians in a road or highway.
72. Gravity- The force that tends to pull all objects to the center of the earth.
73. spot report-A method of locating a spot in the area by measurements from two or
more reference points.
74. Injurious- Any motor vehicle accident that results in no death, but only injuries to one
or more persons.
75.   RA 4136-The “Traffic and Land Transportation Code of the Philippines>”traffic
accidents-An occurrence in a sequence of events, which usually produces unintended
injury, death or property damage.
76. Motor vehicle traffic accident-Any motor vehicle accident occurring on a traffic way.
77. Traffic citation-An order wherein a violator is commanded to appear in court, but
without detaining him.
78. Primary contact-The first accidental touching of an object collision course or otherwise
avoid a hazard.
79. Engineering,Education,Enforcement-The following are the three E’s of Traffic
Management and Operation.
80. RA 9165-  The “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.”
81. Prostitution-The practice or profession of having sexual intercourse for money or
profit.
82. Cannabis sativa L-The scientific name of marijuana.
83. Opium-The original components of heroin and morphine.
84. Narcotics-Drugs which produce  insensibility, stupor, melancholy or dullness of the
mind with delusions.
85. Hallucinogens-Drugs that produce perceptual alteration, varying emotional change,
thought disruption and ego distortion.
86. Phil. Drug Enforcement Agency-  An  inter department agency that enforce and  carry
out the law against illegal drugs.
87. Addiction-A harmful conduct or habit, the indulgence of which leads to depravity,
wickedness and corruption of the mind and body.
88. Caffeine, ephedrine, and nicotine-The most common form of stimulant.
89. Shabu-It is scientifically known as methamphetamine hydrochloride.
90. Heroin- A derivative of opium which is used a  cough reliever.
91. Drug dependence-   Another term for drug addiction.
92. Prescription drugs-Commercially produced drugs that can be legally sold or dispensed
only by  a physician’s order.
93. Poison- Any chemical substance that by virtue of its chemical nature alters the
structure and functioning of living organism.
 www.rkmfiles.net

94. EXTRAJUDICIAL-That which does not belong to the judge or his jurisdiction,
notwithstanding which he takes. cognizance of it. Extrajudicial judgments and acts are
absolutely void. Vide Coram non judice, and Merl. Repert. mots Exces de Pouvoir.
95. Acid Phosphatase (AP) Test -is a presumptive test for semen.  Acid phosphatase is an
enzyme that is present in high concentrations in seminal material.

96. Confirmatory tests- for semen using compound microscopes, scientists search for
spermatozoa, or sperm cells, on slides prepared from swabs, clothing, etc. 
97. Kastle-Meyer (KM) Test- is a presumptive test for blood.  Three reagents (ethanol, KM
reagent, and hydrogen peroxide) are applied, in turn, to the suspected bloodstain.  If
blood is present, a pink color change will occur within seconds. 
98. Luminol- is a chemical that can be sprayed over a large area where even a small
amount of blood may be present. 
99. Phadebas Amylase Test- is a presumptive test used to detect the presence of a-
amylase, an enzyme present in high concentrations in human saliva.
100. Trace Evidence Analysis- is the discipline of forensic science that deals with minute
transfers of materials that cannot be seen with the unaided eye.