criminalistics

American  

[krim-uh-nl-is-tiks] / ˌkrɪm ə nlˈɪs tɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the scientific study and evaluation of physical evidence in the commission of crimes.

2. the science dealing with the detection of crime and the apprehension of criminals.

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Etymology

Origin of criminalistics

First recorded in 1945–50; criminalist + -ics

Example Sentences

Hatten is still employed by the Las Vegas police department, assigned to the criminalistics bureau, which includes crime scene investigations, the Review-Journal reported.

From Fox News • Dec. 28, 2021

“I’m hoping it will hold all of us accountable to make sure that we don’t let victims fall through the cracks,” said Andrea Fielding, division director of criminalistics for the OSBI.

From Washington Times • Jan. 13, 2020

“It’s nice to see a transfer in both directions,” Ostfeld says, “from biology to criminalistics and back.”

From US News • May 18, 2011

The ability to extract cells from body fluids or tissue and use them to identify a person with near certainty has shaken up criminalistics like nothing before.

From Time Magazine Archive

Head injuries, which play such a significant part in the study of criminalistics, find no place in our mentally normal series, but should always be kept in mind in considering the border-line types.

From Pathology of Lying, accusation, and swindling: a study in forensic psychology by Healy, William