criminalists
Crime lab scientists
Criminalists are forensic scientists who analyze physical evidence from crime scenes.
They examine fingerprints, blood spatter, fibers, ballistics, and other materials to help solve crimes.
The work bridges laboratory science and criminal investigation: The criminalists matched DNA from the scene to a suspect in the database.
Distinguished from criminologists, who study crime as a social phenomenon.
Pertaining to legal investigation
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- toxicologyScience of poisons
- ballisticsProjectile motion science
fingerprints · serology · spectrometry · chromatography · microscopy · trace evidence · fibers · residue
Dried hemoglobin discolorations
- evidence collectionSecuring items for prosecution
- photographyCreating images from light
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
- sketchesRough, quick drawings
reconstruction · contamination · preservation · chain of custody · swabs · samples · imprints · barricade tape
Professional crime investigator
- inquiryRequest for information
- probeThorough examination or tool
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
- case filesOrganized investigation documents
cold case · suspect · witness · interrogation · interview · testimony · motive · alibi
forensic
Pertaining to legal investigation
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- toxicologyScience of poisons
ballistics · fingerprints · serology · spectrometry · chromatography · microscopy · trace evidence · fibers · residue · blood spatter
bloodstains
Dried hemoglobin discolorations
- evidence collectionSecuring items for prosecution
- photographyCreating images from light
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
sketches · reconstruction · contamination · preservation · chain of custody · swabs · samples · imprints · barricade tape · walkthrough
detective
Professional crime investigator
- inquiryRequest for information
- probeThorough examination or tool
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
case files · cold case · suspect · witness · interrogation · interview · testimony · motive · alibi · timeline
criminalistscriminals
Lawbreakers by act
perpetrators · offenders · lawbreakers · felons · suspects