Unit 1 Study Guide for Forensics Science

Forensic Science

The broader application of science to civil and criminal laws.

Criminalistics

Focuses specifically on the recognition, identification, individualization, and evaluation of physical evidence in criminal cases.

Mathieu Orfila

Father of forensic toxicology, establishing methods for detecting poisons.

Alphonse Bertillon

Developed the first scientific system of personal identification through anthropometry and standardized forensic photography.

Sir Francis Galton

Conducted the first definitive fingerprint classification study, establishing fingerprints as reliable identification.

Leone Lattes

Developed blood typing procedures from dried blood stains crucial for forensic analysis.

Calvin Goddard

Pioneered ballistics with the comparison microscope to match bullets to guns.

Albert Osborn

Established principles of questioned document examination, influencing court acceptance.

Walter McCrone

Applied microscopy to examine evidence scientifically.

Hans Gross

Wrote the first treatise on applying scientific principles to criminal investigations.

Edmond Locard

Formulated Locard’s Exchange Principle (every contact leaves a trace) and established one of the first crime laboratories.

Locard's Exchange Principle

States that every contact leaves a trace, meaning when two objects come into contact, there is an exchange of material.

Chemical Unit (Crime Lab)

Analyzes drugs and toxic substances.

Biology Unit (Crime Lab)

Examines blood, bodily fluids, DNA.

Firearms Unit (Crime Lab)

Handles ballistics and weapon identification.

Document Examination Unit (Crime Lab)

Analyzes handwriting and forgeries.

Physical or Crime Scene Unit (Crime Lab)

Processes crime scenes and collects evidence.

Photography Unit (Crime Lab)

Documents crime scenes and evidence visually.

Admissibility of Scientific Evidence

Depends on relevance, reliability of the technique, acceptance in the scientific community (Daubert or Frye standards), and proper handling/chain of custody.

Frye v. United States (1923)

Accepted evidence must be generally accepted by the relevant scientific community.

Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals (1993)

Established criteria for admissibility including testability, peer review, error rates, and general acceptance.

Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael (1999)

Extended the Daubert to all expert testimony.

General Electric Co. v. Joiner (1997)

Trial court’s discretion in evidentiary rulings.

Expert Witness Role

Explains technical aspects of evidence, testifies impartially, clarifies scientific principles and limitations, and must be qualified by education/experience.

Forensic Entomology

Application of insect study to legal investigations (e.g., determining time of death).

Forensic Anthropology

Application of skeletal analysis to legal investigations (e.g., identifying human remains).

Forensic Odontology

Application of dental science to legal investigations (e.g., bite mark analysis, victim identification).

Forensic Engineering

Investigates materials, products, structures or components that fail or do not operate as intended, causing personal injury or damage.

Digital Forensics

Recovery and investigation of material found in digital devices, often in relation to computer crime.

Who were the first to use medicine and law to solve crimes?

Ancient Greeks and Romans

What major shift in thinking occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries?

The move from superstition to scientific, evidence-based investigations.

What four major advances were made in the 19th and early 20th centuries?

fingerprinting, toxicology, ballistics, and blood typing.

When did “forensic science” become a recognized academic field?

Early 20th century.

Why have crime labs expanded?

Due to increased drug cases, Supreme Court emphasis on scientifically analyzed evidence, and DNA profiling.

Where to find forensic science information online?

Educational and professional resources include Government forensic agencies' websites and university forensic science programs. Professional organizations like the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Legal databases for case law on scientific evidence.

Analysis and Presentation of Physical Evidence

Forensic scientists use scientific methods to analyze evidence (e.g., DNA, fingerprints, ballistics). Results must be reported clearly and objectively to courts. Evidence presentation involves expert testimony explaining results and their significance to judges and juries.