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Introduction and History of Forensic
Science
What is Forensic Science?
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Knowledge and application of technology and
science to criminal justice and law
Use of chemistry, biology, physics, and geology
with respect to data collection
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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Sir Arthur Conan
Doyle
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Influenced popularity
of forensic science
Used principles of
serology,
fingerprinting, firearm
identification
Creator of Sherlock
Holmes
Mathieu Orfila
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1787-1853
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Forensic toxicology
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Studied various
poisons and effects
on animals
Alphonse Bertillon
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1853-1914
Developed
anthropometry
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Body measurements
Precursor to
fingerprinting
Francis Galton
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1822-1911
Standardized
fingerprinting used for
identification
Leone Lattes
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1887-1954
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Blood Typing
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A, B, AB, O
Calvin Goddard
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1891-1955
Developed
comparison
microscope
Firearms and bullet
analysis
Albert S. Osborn
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1858-1946
Document
examination
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Handwriting
comparison
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Forgery
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Erasure
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Alterations
Walter C. McCrone
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1916-2002
Forensic Microscopy, analysis on shroud of
Turin
Edmond Locard
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1877-1966
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Founder of Criminalistic Institution in Europe
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Locard's Exchange Principle
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Cross-transfer of evidence
USA! USA! USA!
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1932, FBI and J. Edgar Hoover form a national
forensics laboratory
Became the world's largest and most extensive
forensics lab
Dedicated to training forensic scientists
320 crime labs operating on various levels in
the US
Services provided at each lab can vary
Physical Science Unit
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Collection of physical
evidence
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Drug, plant, soil,
mineral
Biology Unit
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Focus on biology and
biochemistry
DNA profiling from
blood/bodily fluids
Comparison of hair
and fibers
Plant and wood
identification
Firearms Unit
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Examines:
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Firearms
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Discharged bullets
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Cartridge cases
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Ammunitions
Other weapons used
in crimes
Document Examination Unit
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Handwriting
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Typewriting
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Document
authenticity
Erased, burned,
charred document
recovery
Photography Unit
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Examine and record
crime scenes
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Digital imaging
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UV photo
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X-ray photo
Toxicology Unit
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Body fluids and
organs examined for
drugs/poisons
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Alcohol
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Marijuana
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Stimulants
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Psychoactive
Fingerprint Unit
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Process and examine fingerprints at crime
scene
Polygraph Unit
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Lie detector
Used more by criminal investigator than
forensic scientist
Used during interrogation of witnesses and
suspects
Credibility issues
Voice Analysis Unit
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Deals with telephone
and tape recordings
Utilizes a sound
spectrograph
Criticisms of validity
and precision exist
Admissibility and Reliability of
Evidence
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Through court cases of Frye and Daubert
guidelines for gathering evidence the technique:
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Has been tested
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Has been subject to peer review
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Has a low rate of potential error
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Has a standardized operating procedure
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Has widespread acceptance within the scientific
community
The trial judge has the authority to deem
techniques valid and admissible
Expert Witnesses
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Forensic scientists may be called to trial
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Must have demonstration of expertise via
education, training, or experience
Proof of competency can be ambiguous and difficult
to prove
Should not advocate for a witness but only provide
expert opinion
Differs from eye witness
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Eye witnesses can only express facts not opinions
about the situation
Crime Scene Investigators
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Professionals that recognize, collect, and
preserve crime scene evidence
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Evidence collection manuals are widely
available
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More skilled than police officers or detectives
Describes proper collection and transfer of physical
evidence
FBI standard evidence collection manual can
be found in Appendix I
Forensic Pathology
Forensic Pathology
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Usually deals with sudden, unnatural,
unexplained, violent deaths
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Generally medical examiners or coroners
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Primary role is to determine cause of death
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What injuries are present?
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When, why, and how are the injuries produced
Autopsies are performed if simple observation
does not provide enough evidence for cause of
death
Forensic Pathology
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Time of death determined by stages of
decomposition
Rigor mortis
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24-36 hours
Muscles relax then become rigid
without shortening
Livor mortis
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Immediately-12 hours
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Collection of blood settling in liver
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Blood collects in parts of the body closest to ground
Forensic Pathology
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Algor mortis
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Gradual cooling of body temperature until
equilibrium with ambient temperature
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Used in determining time of death
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Loss of 1-1.5 degrees F per hour
Potassium released in vitreous humor
Stomach contents determine when last meal
was consumed
Forensic Anthropology
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Examination of skeletal bones
Durability of bones can take decades and
centuries to decay
Info on age, race, sex, facial reconstruction
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Pelvic area differences
Forensic Entomology
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Insects and relation to
crime
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Blow flies used to
estimate time of death
based on life cycle
stages
Forensic Psychiatry
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Relationship between human behavior and
legal proceedings
Evaluate mental capacity to stand trial in civil
cases
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Evaluate behavioral disorders for criminal cases
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Develop behavioral patterns of criminals
Forensic Odontology
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Evaluation of dental
remnants
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Enamel in teeth is the
last body part to
decay because of its
strength
Used to compare bite
marks of teeth
structure
Case Study