Criminal Investigation Glossary.docx - CRIMINAL...

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION REVIEW TERMS
Compiled by: Rico T. Musong, RC.
accelerant In fire starting, any flammable fluid or compound that speeds the progress
of a fire. Also called booster .
action stereotyping Based on typical actions, stereotyping in which an officer expects that a
certain type of event will unfold in a particular way; can result in the
officer's failure to see the event the way it actually occurs.
active system (theft deterrent) A type of vehicle antitheft device which requires that the driver do
something to activate and deactivate the system every time the vehicle is
parked or driven.
administrative log A written record of the actions taken by the crime scene coordinator,
including assignments and release of the scene.
admissibility A legal criterion used to determine whether an item of evidence can be
presented in court; requires that the evidence have relevance, materiality,
and competence.
admission A person's acknowledgment of certain facts or circumstances that tend to
incriminate him or her with respect to a crime but are not complete enough
to constitute a confession.
affidavit A sworn, written statement of the information known to an officer that
serves as the basis for the issuance of an arrest warrant.
affirmation The process in which a witness acknowledges that he or she understands
and undertakes the obligation of an oath (i.e., to tell the truth with a
realization of the penalties for perjury); a means of establishing a witness's
competence.
AFIS *I**see */I**Automated Fingerprint Identification System.
agrichemical Any of various chemical products used on farms; includes pesticides,
fertilizers, and herbicides.
agroterrorism The use of biological agents as weapons against the agricultural and food
supply industries.
AIDS *I**see */I**human immunodeficiency virus.

algor mortis The decrease in body temperature that occurs after death.
alligatoring The checking of charred wood, which gives it the appearance of alligator
skin.
ALS *I**see */I**alternative light systems.
alternative light systems (ALSs) Portable lasers and handheld ultraviolet lighting used to locate physical
evidence at the crime scene; particularly helpful in locating trace evidence.
amateur burglars Burglars who operate on the basis of impulse or opportunity, with no
planning; often use sheer force to enter, ransack the premises for anything
of value, and may become violent if detected and commit secondary crimes
(e.g., murder, rape).
ambush A robbery that involves virtually no planning and depends on surprise and
the use of force against victims; usually produces a small score.
American Society of Crime
Laboratory Directors (ASCLD)
An international society devoted to maintaining the highest standards of
practice at crime laboratories; conducts an accreditation program for
laboratories and education programs for lab personnel.