Essential Vocabulary for Investigations and Descriptions

Investigative & Forensic Terminology

Forensic Kit A collection of tools used to discover scientific information about crimes.Fingerprint Powder A substance used to identify individuals by revealing the impression made on a surface by fingerprints.Slides Small pieces of photographic film projected onto a screen, often used for viewing evidence.Target To identify or concentrate on a specific person, object, or objective.Stakeouts Periods of surveillance conducted to gather evidence of criminal activity.Backup Support or help, often referring to additional personnel or resources.Lie Detector Test A test used to find out whether a person is telling the truth, typically involving a polygraph machine.Microfiche A small sheet of film on which writing or other information is stored, greatly reduced in size for compact archiving.

Actions, States, and Physical Descriptions

Chained Secured with a chain.Splattered Splashed, often messily.Widened Became bigger or broader.Puzzled Perplexed or confused.High Referring to a peak or intensity.Scaling Climbing, often a wall or steep incline.He Crawled Out... Feet First Moved along with his body close to the ground and came out with his feet first.Handcuffed Had two metal rings put around his wrists to restrain him.Shrugged Raised her shoulders, typically to express indifference, doubt, or resignation.Punched In Pushed the keys on a keyboard or keypad.Overlapped Covered each other completely or partially.Crouched Lowered his body with his legs close to his chest.Grunting Making a low, guttural sound.Stuck Inserted or fixed in a position.Flicker To burn unsteadily or briefly.Smudge A dirty mark or smear.Dragged Pulled along with difficulty.Trailed Away Became quieter and quieter until speech ceased.

Objects, Locations, and Descriptive Terms

Hazel A greenish-brown color.Filings Shavings or small particles of metal.Tweezers A small pair of pincers for picking up small objects.Flashlights Electric torches.Tan A light brown color.Overalls A uniform combining trousers and a jacket, often worn as protective clothing.Cuff A band put around a person's arm or wrist.Wires Long, thin pieces of metal covered with plastic, generally used to carry electricity.Driveway A private road leading through a garden or park to a house.Hedges Rows of bushes or small trees, typically forming a boundary or screen.Brick A rectangular block of baked clay used for building walls.Flue A pipe in a chimney that takes away fumes and smoke.Dull Pop A muffled, sudden sound.Socket The hollow where a bone or limb fits, such as where the arm joins the shoulder.Hearth The floor of a fireplace.Mantel A structure of wood or marble, above and around a fireplace; also known as a mantelpiece.Trunk A large, strong box with a lid, used for storage.Wheelchair A chair on wheels for an invalid or disabled person.

General Vocabulary

Rate Speed or rapidity.