Criminology

http://www.prenhall.com/saferstein/


Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, 9/e
Richard Saferstein

Glossary

Algor mortis Postmortem changes that cause a body to lose heat.

Autopsy The medical dissection and examination of a body in order to determine the cause of death.

Expert Witness An individual whom the court determines to possess knowledge relevant to the trial that is not expected of the average layperson.

Livor Mortis The medical condition that occurs after death and results in the settling of blood in areas of the body closest to the ground.

Locard’s Exchange Principle Whenever two objects come into contact with one another, there is exchange of materials between them.

Rigor Mortis The medical condition that occurs after death and results in the stiffening of muscle mass. The rigidity of the body gradually disappears 24 hours after death.