forensic science and criminal law

Forensic Science

The study and application of science to matters of law.

Criminalistics

The scientific examination of physical evidence for legal purposes.

Criminology

Includes the psychological angle: studying the crime scene for motive, traits, and behavior that will help to interpret the evidence.

Physical science unit

A basic service provided by the crime lab that includes chemistry, physics, and geology.

Biology unit

A basic service provided by the crime lab focusing on biological evidence.

Firearms and ballistics unit

A basic service provided by the crime lab that examines firearms and related evidence.

Document examination unit

A basic service provided by the crime lab that analyzes documents.

Photography unit

A basic service provided by the crime lab that involves photographic evidence.

Common types of evidence examined

Drugs, firearms, and fingerprints.

Toxicology unit

An optional service of a crime lab that analyzes bodily fluids for toxins.

Latent fingerprint unit

An optional service of a crime lab that examines latent fingerprints.

Polygraph unit

An optional service of a crime lab that conducts lie detector tests.

Voiceprint analysis unit

An optional service of a crime lab that analyzes voiceprints.

Evidence collection unit

An optional service of a crime lab that collects evidence from crime scenes.

Engineering

An optional service of a crime lab that applies engineering principles to forensic investigations.

Forensic pathology

A specialty service that involves determining the cause of death.

Forensic anthropology

A specialty service that involves the identification of human skeletal remains.

Forensic entomology

A specialty service that uses insect evidence to estimate time of death.

Forensic psychiatry

A specialty service that assesses the mental state of individuals involved in legal cases.

Forensic odontology

A specialty service that involves the examination of dental records and bite marks.

Forensic engineering

A specialty service that investigates materials, products, or structures involved in accidents.

Cybertechnology

A specialty service that involves the application of technology to forensic investigations.

FBI

Federal Bureau of Investigation, a federal crime lab.

DEA

Drug Enforcement Agency, a federal crime lab.

ATF

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, a federal crime lab.

USPS

United States Postal Service, a federal crime lab.

Department of Homeland Security

A federal agency involved in crime lab services.

Department of the Treasury

A federal agency involved in crime lab services.

1149

King Richard of England introduced the idea of the coroner to investigate questionable deaths.

1248

A murder in China was solved when flies were attracted to invisible blood residue on the sword of a man in the community.

1514

Earliest known use of blood spatter evidence.

1670

Anton Van Leeuwenhoek constructed the first high-powered microscope.

1864

Crime scene photography developed.

Alphonse Bertillon

Developed a system to identify people using particular body measurements in 1879.

Edward Henry

Developed the first classification system for fingerprint identification in 1896.

Karl Landsteiner

Identified human blood groups in 1900.

Edmond Locard

Formulated the principle 'Every contact leaves a trace' in 1904.

Alec Jeffreys

Developed and used the first DNA tests applied to a criminal case in 1984.

National DNA Index System (NDIS)

An FBI index of DNA profiles incorporated with the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) in 1998.

Locard Exchange Principle

Whenever two objects come into contact with each other, there is always a transfer of material.

Misdemeanor

A minor crime punishable by fine or jail.

Infraction

Minor violation of a rule or law usually punishable by a fine

Felony

A major crime punishable by fines and/or more than one year in prison.

Probative evidence

Evidence that actually proves something.

Material evidence

Evidence that addresses an issue relevant to the particular crime.

Frye Standard

Scientific evidence is allowed if generally accepted by the relevant scientific community.

Daubert Ruling

The judge decides if evidence can be entered into trial based on several criteria.

Expert Witness

Presents scientific evidence in court and establishes credibility through credentials.

MMO

To prove a case, the 'MMO' must be established: Motive, Means, Opportunity.