Intro to Forensic Science Assignment #1 Review

four important federal agencies offering forensic services are…

FBI(Federal Bureau of Investigation), DEA(Drug Enforcement Administration), ATF(Firearms and Explosives), U.S. Postal Inspection Service

Function of Physical Science unit of a crime lab

applying chemistry, physics, and geology to the identification and comparison of crime scene evidence

Function of Biology unit of crime lab

examination of blood, hairs, fibers, and botanical materials

Responsibility of Firearms unit

examination of bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells, and examination of ammunition of all types

function of the toxicology unit

examination of body fluids and organs for drugs and poisons

Who dispatches trained personnel to the scene of a crime to retrieve evidence for the laboratory examination?

The Crime Scene Investigation Unit

The “general acceptance” principle, which serves as a criterion of the judicial admissibility of scientific evidence, was set forth in what case?

Frye v United States

Physical Evidence

all objects that can establish or disprove whether a crime has been committed or can link a crime and its victim or its perpetrator

What are three methods for recording the crime scene?

Photography, sketching, and notes

Crime Scene notes should include precise record of personnel movements in and out of the scene starting with who?

the first responding officer

Before located evidence is collected, it must be fully described in the investigator’s…?

Notes

most important prerequisite for photographing a crime scene

to have it in UNALTERED condition, meaning nothing has been tampered with

photographs of physical evidence must include what two angles to record the details of objects?

overviews and close-ups

what is the most commonly used camera for crime scene photography?

single lens reflex (can be film or digital)

digital camera captures light on each of the millions of tiny picture elements called…

pixels

In the succession of photographs taken at a crime scene which photos are taken first and which photos are last?

First are overview photos and last are close-up photos

How do jurisdictions ensure that their digital images will be admissible and to avoid the possibility of enhancement or doctoring of crime scene photographs?

development of standard operating procedures for the use of digital photography

What process essentially combines notes and photography?

Videotaping or digital video

In what manner must a detailed search of the crime scene for physical evidence be conducted?

systematic

why is the crime scene search undertaken?

to locate physical evidence

besides the obvious items of physical evidence, what else must be collected for detailed examination in the laboratory?

possible carriers of trace evidence

In Kumho Tire Co., Ltd. v. Carmichael, the Supreme Court ruled that the “gatekeeping” role of a trail judge…

applied to ALL expert testimony

Is it true or false that examining garments and other objects in order to detect firearms discharge residues would be performed in the biology unit?

It is false because it would be performed in the firearms and explosives unit