Advances in Fingerprint Technology.pdf

Conclusive evidence Evidence that is so strong and convincing as to overbear
all proof to the contrary and to establish the proposition in question
beyond any reasonable doubt.
Confession A voluntary statement by the accused that he/she committed
a criminal act, including all the elements of the crime.
Continuance A postponement of an action before the court.
Court reporter The person who records testimony. One who records every
word spoken (usually on a manual printer or on tape recording equipment),
except discussions or comments that are ruled “off the record.”
Cross-examination The examination of a witness, by the party opposed
to the one who produced him/her, upon evidence given by the witness in
chief to test its truth, to further develop it, or for other purposes.
Deposition An oral statement by a person under oath before an officer of
the court (but not in open court) and recorded by a court reporter.
Direct examination The first interrogation or examination of a witness on
the merits by the party on whose behalf he/she is called.
Duces tecum Subpoena requiring a party, who is summoned to appear in
court, to bring with him/her some document or piece of evidence to be used
or inspected by the court.
Felony A crime of a graver or more atrocious nature than those designated
as misdemeanors.
Grand jury A jury that investigates alleged violations of the law and that
returns an indictment against those it believes violated the law.
Guilty The word used by a prisoner in pleading to an indictment when
confessing to the crime of which he/she is charged, and by the jury in
convicting.
Hearsay Evidence not proceeding from the personal knowledge of the witness,
but from the mere repetition of what he/she has heard others say.
Hung juries A jury so irreconcilably divided in opinion that it cannot agree
upon a verdict.
Hypothetical Question A question asked of an expert witness and based
on a combination of proved and assumed facts.
Impeachment Adducing proof that a witness who has testified in a cause
is unworthy of credit.
Incarceration Imprisonment or confinement in a jail or penitentiary.