criminalist

[ krim-uh-nl-ist ]

noun

1. an expert in criminalistics.
2. a person who studies or practices criminology; criminologist.
3. an expert in criminal law.

Word History and Origins

Origin of criminalist¹

First recorded in 1625–35; criminal + -ist

Example Sentences

County Crime Lab testified that Grossman tested positive for benzodiazepines — of which Valium is a type — but the criminalist could not say how much.

From Los Angeles Times

Prosecutors have not charged Grossman with driving under the influence, but a criminalist testified Friday that blood work taken three hours after the crash registered her blood alcohol level at 0.08%.

From Los Angeles Times

A crime lab criminalist with the San Francisco Police Department testified Tuesday that Lee’s DNA was found on the blade of the knife but not the handle, and Momeni’s DNA was found on the handle.

From Seattle Times

“Our mission is very narrowly focused: We confirm the presence of controlled substances,” said Joseph Cavaleri, an acting supervising criminalist in the Controlled Substances Section of the department’s crime lab.

From Los Angeles Times

The reliability of bloodstain-pattern analysis has never been definitively proven or quantified, but largely due to the testimony of criminalist Herbert MacDonell, it was steadily admitted in court after court around the country in the 1970s and '80s.

From Salon