Forensics Ch.1

Another word for forensics

criminalistics

Forensics

The study and application of science to matters of the law

Deductive Reasoning

using logical steps to draw a conclusion based on facts or evidence

What is forensic pathology?

Forensic pathology is the study of medical history, performing autopsies, and collecting medical and trace evidence from the body.

Who are the professionals involved in forensic pathology?

Medical doctors, medical examiners, and pathologists.

Forensic Odontology

Dentists who specialize in identification, perform bite mark analysis, and dental identification when there is no other way for body identification

Forensic Toxicology

medical examiners and the coroner's office determine toxic substances in the body including drugs and poisons

Forensic Anthropology

Identification of persons or personal characteristics (sex, age, race, stature) based on body remains

Forensic Serology

identification of blood and other bodily fluids (semen, vaginal fluid, saliva)

Forensic Entomology

uses insects to determine time of death and location of a corpse

Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry

evaluate offenders and profile criminal cases

Forensic Engineering

investigate transportation accidents, materials failure cases, determine cause of building/structure collapses, etc.

Forensic Computer Science

investigate criminal use of technology and electronic records

Crime Labs: Physical Science Unit

incorporates the principles of chemistry, physics, and geology to identify and compare physical evidence

The physical science unit can be further divided into:

Drug identification, soil and mineral analysis, and trace evidence sections

Trace and Transfer evidence

identification of small quantities of materials found at a scene or on a victim (blood, food, hair, paper, fibers, cosmetics, soil, gunshot residue, etc.)

Crime labs: Biology Unit

applies the knowledge of biological sciences in order to investigate blood samples, body fluids, botanical samples, hair, and fiber samples. Also includes DNA sampling

Crime labs: Firearms Unit

Investigates discharged bullets, cartilage cases, gunshot shells, and ammunition. Also includes comparison of tool marks, tire treads, and shoe prints

Ballistics

a specific type of physical pattern identification; matching projectiles and casings to individual firearms or weapons

Crime labs: Document Examination Unit

Provides handwriting analysis and other reproduction processes; ink and paper analysis; forgery and authenticity

Crime Labs: Photography Unit

responsible for recording and examining physical evidence. May use special techniques (digital imaging, infrared, UV, X-Ray). Also responsible for photographic display in courtroom presentations

Crime labs: Toxicology Unit

examines body fluids (blood, urine) and organs for the presence of drugs and poisons. Also responsible for training breathalyzer operators and for maintenance of the instruments

Crime labs: Fingerprints Unit

processes and examines crime scene and evidence for latent fingerprints

Crime Labs: Polygraph Unit

Conducts polygraph (lie detector) tests; administered by people trained in investigation and interrogation

Crime Labs: Voiceprint Analysis Unit

attempts to tie a recorded voice to a particular suspect. Uses an instrument called a sound spectograph to make a visual graphic display called a voiceprint

Crime Labs: Evidence- Collection Unit

Dispatches specially trained personnel to the crime scene to collect and preserve physical evidence. Must follow specific procedures to maintain chain of custody

Chain of Custody

document or paper trail showing the seizure, custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of physical and electronic evidence

Just because you don't have a chain-of-custody process doesn't mean that the evidence is ______________

inadmissible

Admissibility is determined by the manner in which the evidence was __________

Acquired. It must be legally obtained

FBI- Federal Bureau of Investigation

intelligence- driven and threat-focused national security organization with both intelligence and law enforcement responsibilities

FBI's Mission

to protect and defend the U.S against terrorists and foreign intelligence threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the U.S, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies

The FBI has the _______ crime lab in the world!

largest

Where is the FBI's headquarters?

Washington D.C

DEA- Drug Enforcement Administration

analyzes drugs seized in federal cases

Who created the DEA

President Richard Nixon through an executive order

ATF- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms

Established in 1972, it protects our communities from violent criminals, criminal organizations, the illegal use and trafficking of firearms, the illegal use and storage of explosives, acts of arson and bombings, acts of terrorism, violation of tax laws, and the illegal diversion of alcohol and tobacco products

USPIS- US Postal Inspection Service

handles criminal investigations relating to postal service

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) is which states official crime lab?

Ohio

Where is the BCI's headquarters?

London, Ohio

Where was the first case ever using forensic science? How was it used?

13th century China when someone was stabbed, all the knives in the village were collected. Flies were attracted to the traces of blood and landed on only one of the knives, causing the suspect to confess

Mathieu Orfila

Considered the father of forensic toxicology. Chemist who published the first scientific paper on the detection of poisons and their effects on animals

William Herschel

Used thumbprints on documents to identify workers in India

Alphonse Bertillon

Father of criminal identification. Developed Anthropometry which uses body measurements to distinguish individuals

Henry Fauld

Used fingerprints to eliminate an innocent burglary suspect

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Published his first Sherlock Holmes story; considered the first CSI, featured in four novels, 56 short stories, popularized scientific crime detection methods

Francis Galton

Published Finger Prints. Conducted the first definitive study of fingerprints and their classification. Gave proof of their uniqueness.

Hans Gross

Published Criminal Investigation. Wrote the first paper describing the application of scientific principles to the field of criminal investigation.

Karl Landsteiner

Discovered the ABO blood groups, later received Nobel Prize.

Edmond Locard

incorporated Gross' principles within a workable crime lab; became the founder and director of the Institute of Criminalistics at the University of Lyons, France

Albert S. Osborn

Published Questioned Documents. Developed the fundamental principles of document examination.

Leone Lattes

Developed a method for determining blood type from dried blood

August Vollmer

Established the first Crime Lab in the U.S, located in L.A

Calvin Goddard

Developed a comparison microscope; first used to compare bullets to see if fired from the same weapon

Forensics are used more in crimes against _______ rather than ________

persons, property

Statutory Law

"Law on the books"; these are legislative acts declaring, commanding, or prohibiting something. They have been enacted by a governmental body or agency (such as congress) and are based on the constitution

Common Law or Case Law

Laws made up of judicial opinions and precedents set in appellate courts

Civil Law

Often referred to as private law; deals with relationships between individuals involving matters such as property, contracts, marriage/ divorce, wills, negligence, and other civil concerns.

Criminal Law

Often referred to as public law; deals with regulation and enforcement of rights. Offenses against an individual are usually offensive to society

Misdemeanor

minor crime such as theft, minor assault and battery, or possession of small amounts of illegal drugs

Felony

Major crimes such as murder, rape, armed robbery, serious assaults, dealing illegal drugs, fraud, auto theft, or forgery

In criminal cases, the prosecution must prove guilt _________________________________

BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT

Violations of criminal law are punishable by:

fines, community service, probation, incarceration, life in prison, or capital punishment (death)

Equity Law

Remedial or preventative; includes injunctions and restraining orders

Administrative Law

Laws established by agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Admin, or branches of the military

Amendment I

Freedom of:

Speech, Religion, Press, Petition, Assembly

Amendment II

The right to bear arms and assemble a well-regulated militia

Amendment III

Prohibits the quartering of troops in peoples homes

Amendment IV

Protects people from unlawful/unreasonable search and seizure. No warrants can be issued without proven probable cause

Amendment V

Grants the right to a grand jury of peers and due process, prohibits double jeopardy, and protects the right against self-incrimination (I plead the fifth)

Amendment VI

Right to a speedy public trial by an impartial jury

Amendment VII

Common Law suits (civil cases) have a right to a trial by jury

Amendment VIII

No excessive bail, fines, or cruel and unusual punishment

Amendment IX

The people have rights beyond those enumerated in the constitution

Amendment X

The rights not explicitly delegated to the federal gov. in the constitution are reserved to the states/ people.

What is the general procedure when a crime is commited?

1. Crime is committed

2. Crime is discovered

3. Police investigate and information is collected

4. Crime scene is documented and searched for evidence

5. All information assembled into a report for a prosecutor

6. Investigation ensues

7. If there is enough evidence to establish probable cause, an arrest warrant is issued

8. After arrest, suspect is booked, fingerprinted, photographed, and informed of Miranda Rights

9. Suspect is brought before magistrate/ judge, or commissioner within 72 hours for an arraignment

10. Preliminary or evidentiary hearing, grand jury, or plea bargaining

What are the 3 things to consider when determining probable?

Means, motive, and opportunity

Means

the ability of the defendant to commit the crime

Motive

the reason the defendant committed the crime

Opportunity

whether the defendant had the chance to commit the crime

List the Miranda Rights as if you were an officer making an arrest

1. You have the right to remain silent

2. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law

3. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have them present with you while you are being questioned

4. If you cannon afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you before any questioning if you wish

5. You can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements

DO YOU UNDERSTAND EACH OF THESE RIGHTS I HAVE EXPLAINED TO YOU? HAVING THESE RIGHTS IN MIND, DO YOU WISH TO TALK TO US NOW?

What are the 5 ways you can plea when faced with charges?

1. Guilty

2. Not Guilty

3. Not guilty by reason of insanity

4. Double jeopardy

5. No contest