Criminalistics Intro test - basic knowledge - Sam R

Who is the “Father of toxicology”?

Mathieu Orfila

What is the exchange of evidence principle

the idea that “Every contact leaves a trace”

criminals can be connected to crimes by the dust carried from the scene

created by Edmond Locard

who regulates the activities that influence our daily lives?

the government

What is the well-known crime where a forensic engineer was involved?

9/11 (to look at the structure of the buildings)

What is the landmark case that set a precedent for the 3 strikes law

A man attacked a woman named Poly. He had previously been convicted of numerous aggressive crimes. This created the 3-strikes rule. If he had been in jail sooner, Poly wouldn’t have been attacked.

What is a landmark case and why are they important?

It is a crime case that sets a precedent for future cases. It is important/studied because of its historical and legal significance.

What is the oldest crime lab?

established in 1923 by the LAPD

August Vollmer

What is the largest crime lab?

FBI

founded in 1932 by J. Edgar Hoover

What is the definition of Forensic Science?

the application of science to criminal and civil laws enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system.

who was responsible for anthropometry?

Alphonse Bertillon

Who wrote Sherlock Holmes?

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

What is the explanation for rapid growth of crime labs?

the progression of technology, backlogged DNA samples, and the advancement of DNA profiling

How many public labs are opening?

about 400

What are the units of forensic science?

Physical Science Unit

Biology Unit

Firearms Unit

Document Examination unit

photography unit

toxicology unit

latent fingerprints unit

polygraph unit

voiceprint unit

CSI unit

What does each unit do?

Physical science - analyzes drugs, glass, paint, explosives, and soil

Biology - identifies and profiles DNA, compares hairs and fibers, and botanical materials (woods and plants)

Firearms - examines discharged bullets, cartridge casings, shotgun shells, and residues

Document Examination - analyses handwriting, paper, ink, and altered documents

Photography - uses digital imaging, infrared, ultraviolet, and X-ray photography for evidence

toxicology - examines body fluids and organs to detect the presence of drugs and poisons.

latent fingerprints - processes latent impressions

Polygraph - lie detection (tool, not admissible in court)

Voiceprint - analyses sound patterns (telephone treats, tape-recordings)

CSI - collects and preserves physical evidence

What is the CSI effect?

The dramatization of TV’s portrayal of forensic science gives unrealistic expectations and jury perceptions.

What does criminalistics actually focus on?

it focuses on the services of the crime lab, where physical and natural science techniques are applied to analyze crime scene evidence

What is the landmark case of Fry vs. US?

This case made polygraph tests inadmissible in court and they can only be used as a tool for detectives to gather evidence/theories about a case.

What are the 4 major crime labs?

FBI, DEA, ATF, and USPS

What is the FBI?

investigative powers

What is the DEA?

Drug Enforcement Administration (production, sale, and transportation)

What is the ATF?

Bureau of Alcohol Tabacco Firearms

Alcohol, documents, weapons, explosives, gun control

What is the USPS?

United States Postal Service

What is the diagram of the evidence exchange principle?