Download Introduction to Forensic Science

Introduction to Forensic Science
What is Forensic Science?
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_________________________ -The study and application of science to matters of law.
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_________________________ – The examination of physical evidence for legal purposes
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The words Forensic Science and Criminalistics are used interchangeably.
Criminology: Includes the________________ angle: studying the crime scene for motive, traits, and behavior that will help to
interpret the evidence
What are some goals of a Forensic Scientist?
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To ________________________, _________________________, and _____________________ evidence.
History and development of Forensic Science
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“Forensic” comes from the Latin word “forensis” meaning ___________________.
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During the time of the ______________________, a criminal charge meant presenting the case before the public.
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Both the person _________________ of the crime & the _________________ would give speeches based on their side of the
story.
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The individual with the ________________________ argumentation would determine the outcome of the case.
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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle popularize crime detection methods through his fictional character _________________________
The character, Sherlock Holmes, first applied these principles in Doyle’s novels:
o _______________________ (testing)
o _______________________
o Firearm Identification
o Questioned-document examination
The following is just a brief list of those who have made the earliest contributions to Forensic Science.
Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914) - “Father of _______________________” & “Father of _____________________Identification”
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Developed a system to distinguish one individual person from another based on certain body measurements.
The science of anthropometry: a systematic method of taking body measurements
Anthropometry was eventually replaced by fingerprinting in the early 1900s
Francis Galton (1822-1911) - “Father of __________________________”
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Developed fingerprinting as a way to uniquely identify individuals
Studied fingerprints and developed a method of ____________________ them
Proved the _______________________ of individual fingerprints and their use for personal identification
His ideas describe the principles used today in fingerprinting
Hans Gross (1847 – 1915) - “Father of Forensic ________________________________”
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Wrote the book on applying all the different science disciplines to the field of criminal investigation leading to the concept of
scientific crime detection.
Leone Lattes (1887 – 1954) - “Father of __________________________Identification”
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He developed the first workable procedure for determining the blood type (A, B, AB, or O) of a dried blood stain.
Developed the concept that blood typing could be a useful identification tool in criminal investigation.
Calvin Goddard (1891 – 1955) - “Father of ___________________________”
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Developed the technique to examine bullets, using a comparison microscope, to determine whether or not a particular gun
fired the bullets.
Edmond Locard (1877 – 1966) - “Father of the ____________________________Lab”
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Strong advocate of the use of the ____________________ __________________ in criminal investigation
In 1910, he started the 1st crime lab in an attic of a police station in France
His most important contribution was the “Locard’s Exchange Principle”
Whenever two objects come into contact with each other, there is always a transfer of material
Locard’s Exchange Principle – Every contact leaves a trace.
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He believed that every ______________ can be connected to a __________ by particles carried from the crime scene.
When a criminal comes in contact with an object or person, a cross-transfer of evidence occurs.
1. Metal particles carried on clothing from a crime scene can link a suspect to a crime
2. Soil samples found on the vehicle of a suspect can link the suspect to a crime scene
3. Plant material found on cars or clothing can link a suspect to a crime scene
J. Edgar Hoover (1895 – 1972) - “Father of the _______________________”
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Director of Federal Bureau of Investigation during the 1930’s
Hoover's leadership spanned 48 yrs & 8 presidential administrations. His reign covered Prohibition, the Great Depression,
WWII, the Korean War, the Cold War, & the Vietnam War.
He organized a national laboratory to provide forensic services to all law enforcement agencies in the U.S.
Crime Laboratories
Crime labs can be government-run at the federal, state, or local level, or they can be private consulting businesses.
1. The Police Department
3. The Coroner or Medical Examiner’s Office
2. The Prosecutors or District Attorney’s Office
4. Universities as independent testing facilities
Federal Crime Labs in the U.S. - Will assist any local agency that requests assistance in investigative matters
Federal Bureau of Investigation (________) - Housed under Department of Justice & ___________________ lab
Responsibilities: Broad, investigative powers that exceed jurisdictions of state and local authorities; Expertise and
technology support for criminal investigations
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Was created in _______________________
The FBI Laboratory is now the ______ ___________forensic laboratory, performing over one million examinations per year
Opened the Forensic Science Research and Training Center in 1981
Center is dedicated to conducting research and developing new and reliable scientific methods that can be applied to forensic
science
Drug Enforcement Agency (________) - Housed under Department of Justice
Responsibilities: Analysis of drugs seized in violation of federal laws that regulate the production, sale, and transportation of
drugs in the U.S.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (________) - Housed under Department of Justice
Responsibilities: Analyzing alcoholic beverages and documents relating to tax law enforcement; Examining weapons,
explosive devices, and evidence relating to the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970
________ – Food and Drug Administration
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Is responsible for protecting food, drugs, cosmetics, and other FDA regulated products from theft, counterfeiting, fraud,
tampering, and false advertising.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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1st & only lab that specializes in wildlife forensics
Prevent __________________ and hunting of ____________________ species.
Department of Homeland Security
Department of the Treasury
Crime labs have Units each with personnel who specialize in a different aspect of forensic evidence.
_____________________ Unit : This unit deals with evidence from fires and looks for their causes
_____________________ Unit : This unit would deal with trace evidence such as sand, soil, minerals, and rocks
_____________________ Unit: Is for the purpose of identification and __________ , hairs and some _____________
______________ & _________________ Unit
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The unit for the examination of firearms, bullets, cases, shells, and other types of ammunition. Some also examine tool
marks and other weapons for identification.
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_______________________ - the science that deals with the motion, behavior, and effects of projectiles, most often firearms
and bullets
________________________ Unit
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Polygraph or lie detector used primarily as a tool of the criminal investigator
This unit is more of a tool for the criminal investigator than the forensic scientist.
Polygraph results are _______ admissible in court.
________________________ Analysis Unit
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Cases involving telephone threats, tape-recorded messages may use unit to identify persons
Sound patterns are suppose to be unique to the person & and are captured on a voiceprint
________________ Collection Unit: This is a true CSI
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___________________ personnel dispatched to a crime scene to collect & preserve evidence collected at the crime scene
______________________ Unit: This area prepares photos of evidence and the crime scene
__________ ___________ Unit
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Develops, evaluates, and compares latent fingerprint evidence by use of magnifier, microscope, and fingerprint comparator.
Determines identity of individuals and enters information into the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (_________)
Forensic Disciplines
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Forensic ____________ –sketch composite drawings, age progression, image modifications, post-mortem skull
reconstructions
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Forensic ______________ – studies human skeletal remains for identification
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Forensic _________________- evaluates behavioral patterns and how they relate to crime (profiling)
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Forensic __________________ –investigates the sudden, unnatural, unexplained, or violent deaths. An autopsy is usually
performed to obtain the answer.
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Forensic_________________–studies lifecycles of insects and their relationship to crime scene investigation
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Forensic___________________– is concerned with failure analysis, accident reconstruction, involvement of mechanical
items and causes and origins of fires or explosions
Role of a Forensic Scientist
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________________________ evidence and prepare reports on the analyses
Testify in court as an expert witness.
***The emphasis is on ______________________________!