Download Forensic Science

FORENSIC SCIENCE
Introduction
DO NOW:
What does the term Forensics Stand for?
 What does the term criminalistics stand for?
 What branches of science does criminalistics
encompass?

WHAT IS FORENSIC SCIENCE?
Basic Definition: Science in the service of the law
 “Forensic” = “having to do with the law”
 Forensic Science ≠ Forensics (“debating”)
 Criminalists: analyze, compare, identify, and
interpret physical evidence

FORENSIC SCIENTIST
Job Description:
 Process and document crime scenes
 Collect and preserve evidence
 Analyze and compare evidence in laboratory
 Reconstruction of data (form the “best theory” of
events in the case)
FORENSIC SCIENTIST
Skills Needed:
 Good observation skills – use 5 senses
 Analytical skills – ability to identify problem,
organize info, draw conclusions
 Deductive reasoning – using logical steps to draw
a conclusion based on facts or evidence
EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
Imprints
 Broken glass
 Hairs
 Fibers
 Paint chips
 Documents
 Fingerprints
 Other prints (shoe,
tire, etc.)

Body/corpse
 Toolmarks/firearms
 Bullets/casings
 DNA
 Blood
 Semen
 Drugs, chemicals
 Soil

BASIC SERVICES PROVIDED BY CRIME
LABORATORIES
Physical
Science Unit
Biology Unit
Firearms Unit
Photography Unit
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PHYSICAL SCIENCE UNIT
Chemistry
(drugs,
explosives)
Physics (glass,
scratches)
Geology (soil, rocks)
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BIOLOGY UNIT
Bloodstains
Body
fluids
Hair and fiber
Botanical materials (wood
and plants).
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FIREARMS UNIT
Firearms
Bullets
Cartridge
& Shells
Ammunition
Garments
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WHAT ARE SOME OF
THE SPECIALTIES OF
FORENSIC SCIENCE?
FORENSIC SCIENCE SPECIALTIES
Forensic Pathology: experts (medical doctors)
who determine the cause and manner of death
 Forensic Entomology: experts who study insects
to determine time of death and location of a
corpse
 Forensic Odontology: forensic dentists – identify
human remains and analyze bite marks

FORENSIC SCIENCE SPECIALTIES
Forensic Anthropology: examine human skeletal
remains
 Forensic Toxicology: study the effects of poisons,
toxins and drugs in the body
 Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology: evaluate
offenders, also profiling criminal cases

FORENSIC SCIENCE SPECIALTIES
Forensic Engineering: investigate transportation
accidents, materials failure cases, determine
cause of building/structure collapses
 Forensic Computer Science: investigate use of
technology and electronic records

WHAT IS THE MAIN
ROLE OF A
CRIMINALIST?
COLLECT AND ANALYZE
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
DEMANDS & CONSTRAINTS
When and where do we
collect?
How do we collect?
For what purpose?
DECODING YOUR EMAIL
PERSONALITY

Introduction:


This article looks at a law suit that involves the
fabrications of emails and the forensics behind
discovering if those emails are real of fake.
Activity:
Step 1: Read and annotate the article SILENTLY.
You have 10 min to do so.
 Step 2: As a class lets share out what we found
within the article and our impressions on this case.
 Step 3: Create two questions based on the article and
answer the questions. Be specific in your answers,
including the paragraph in the article where you find
the answer.
