Forensics Unit 1 12U

What is an expert witness?

A person who is permitted to testify at trial because of special knowledge or proficiency in a particular field that is relevant to the case.

Odontology

- dentists who specialize in identification perform bite marks analysis and dental identification when there is no other way for body identification.

Toxicology

- medical examiners and the coroners office determine toxic substances in the body, including drugs and poisons.

Anthropology

- identification of persons or personal characteristics (sex, age, race, stature) and possible cause of death based on body remains

Serology

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

Entomology

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

Psychiatry and psychology (behavioral science)

- evaluate offenders and profile criminal cases.

Engineering

- Investigates transportation accidents, materials failure cases, determine cause of building and structure collapses, etc.

Computer science

- investigates criminal use of technology and electronic records.

Physical science unit-

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

May be further divided into Drug Identification, Soil & 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.).

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 profiling

Firearms unit-

investigates discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun 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.

Document examination unit-

provides handwriting analysis and other reproduction processes; ink and paper analysis, forgery and authenticity. Also analyzes indentations, obliterations, reasures, and burned or charred documents.

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.

Toxicology Unit

- Examines body fluids (blood, urine) and organs for the presence
of drugs and poisons. Alsoresponsible for training Breathalyzer operators and for maintenance of the instruments.

Fingerprint Unit

- Processes and examines crime scene and evidence for latent fingerprints.
Latent fingerprints are marks left at a crime scene not immediately visible to the naked eye.

Polygraph Unit

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

Voiceprint Analysis Unit

- Attempts to tie a recorded voice to a particular suspect. Use an instrument called a sound spectrograph to make a visual graphic display called a voiceprint.

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.

Mathieu Orfila (1814)

- 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 (1856)

- used thumbprints on documents to identify workers in India

Alphonse Bertillion (1879)

- "father of criminal identification" developed anthropology which uses body measurements to distinguish individuals.

Henry Faulds (1880)

- uses fingerprints to eliminate an innocent burglary suspect

Sir Arthur Conan Doyal (1887)

- published his first Sherlock Holmes story, considered the first "CSI", featured in four novels and 56 short stories, popularizing scientific crime detection methods.

Francis Galton (1892)

- published fingerprints and their classification. Gave proof of uniqueness.

Has Gross (1893)

- wrote the first paper describing the application of scientific principles to the field of criminal investigation. Published criminal investigation.

Karl Landsteiner (1901)

- discovered the ABO blood groups, and later received the Nobel prize.

Edmond Locard (1910)

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

Albert S. Osborn (1910)

- published questioned documents. Developed the fundamental principles of document examination.

Leone Lattes (1915)

- developed a method for determining blood type from dried blood.

August Vollmer (1923)

- established the first crime lab in the United States, located in Los Angeles.

Calvin Goddaed (1925)

- developed a comparison microscope. First used to compare bullets to see if fired from the same weapon.

What is the Locard exchange principle?

Dr. Edmond Locard- Every criminal can be connected to a crime by small particles carried from the scene.

Whenever two objects come in contact with one another, a cross-transfer of physical evidence can occur.

The intensity, duration, and nature of the materials in contact determine the extent of the transfer.

"Every contact leaves a trace"

Direct vs circumstantial evidence

Direct evidence- first-hand observations (eyewitness account, videos, confessions)

Circumstantial evidence- indirect evidence that can be used to imply a fact but does not directly prove it. For example: finding a suspect's gun at a crime scene is circumstantial evidence that the suspect was there.

Types of circumstantial evidence and examples

Physical evidence: synthetic fibers, weapons, bullets, shell casings, paint chips, documents, imprints and prints (shoes, tires, etc.), tool marks, soil, drugs, etc.

Biological evidence: body or body parts, body fluids, hair, leaves or other plant parts, natural fibers, feathers, wood

Trace evidence: Small but measurable amounts of physical or biological material found at a crime scene. Examples: a strand of hair, fingerprint, DNA, a drop of blood, pollen, gunshot residue

Class vs individual evidence and examples

Class evidence: narrows evidence to a group of persons or things
Example: Blood Type- can be A, B, AB, O. Finding one type at a crime scene narrows down the suspects to a smaller group.

Individual evidence: narrows evidence down to a single person or thing.
Example: Fingerprints, handwriting, DNA, and sometimes physical matches.

Importance of evidence? What does it provide?

Can prove a crime has been committed and set the scene for the investigation.
Can back up witness testimony or prove it false.
Can link a suspect with a victim or with a crime scene.
Can determine the identity of people associated with a crime.
Allows investigators to reconstruct a crime.

7s of a crime scene investigation

Secure the scene
Separate the witnesses
Scan the scene
See the scene
Sketch the scene
Search for evidence
Secure and collect evidence

How to photograph evidence

Investigators must work against the clock to document evidence.
Factors such as location, weather, and time of day may affect the time that investigators have at a crime scene.
Evidence must be preserved until it can be photographed.
Photographs are important, as they provide documentation/reference and are required for presentation at a trial.
The crime scene must remain unaltered
*Exception: cases where injured people need attention
*Sometimes accidents happen (ex. Investigator kicks the weapon and it moves across the floor). In cases like this, a fact should be noted in the report
If objects are removed, positions changed, or tampered with, the evidence may not be admissible in court
Crime scenes should be photographed as completely as possible.
Photographs of the following should be made:
*Area in which the crime took place
*Adjacent areas to the crime scene
*Overview photographs
*Points of entry and exit
*Body (if applicable)
*Evidence
Investigators must use proper technique when photographing evidence

How to photograph evidence

*An item of "scale" should be in the picture (ex. Ruler, quarter, etc.)
*Each piece of evidence must be photographed at 3 different angles
*Each angle should be photographed at 3 distances (close, mid range, long shots)- 9 total photos minimum
As physical evidence is discovered, the evidence is photographed in an attempt to show its position and location relative to the entire scene.
Sometimes, evidence is difficult to see and photograph.
Oblique lighting can help investigators make this evidence visible for photography.
Oblique lighting uses a light source positioned at a low angle.
It is usually used to show detail by creating shadows on the surface of the evidence.
Oblique lighting is commonly used when photographing impressions, tool marks and certain types of fingerprints.
*(Oblique lighting uses a light source positioned at a low angle. A very low oblique angle of lighting can be used to photograph dusty footwear impressions and indented writing.)

Types of search patterns

Spiral
Grid
Linear
Quadrant / Zone
(A flashlight or blacklight may be used to help find trace evidence)

Sketching the crime scene

North should be labeled and a scale of distance should be included

All important objects (weapon and body) should be measured from two immovable landmarks

Any other objects in the vicinity of the crime should be included in the sketch (ex. Doors, windows, furniture, trees, vehicles, etc.)

Also include: Date, time, location, case number, and names (Sketched by and Verified by)
[Later, a final copy (usually made on computer) will be made for presentation in court]

How to store different types of evidence

All evidence must be properly packaged, sealed and labeled using specific techniques and procedures.

Packaging Evidence
i). Metal or plastic forceps may have to be used to pick up small items.
ii.) Plastic pill bottles with lids are preferred containers for hairs, glass, fibers, and other kinds of trace evidence.
iii.) Liquids and arson remains are stored in airtight, unbreakable containers.

Bloodstained materials must be packaged in wrapping paper, manila envelopes, or paper bags to prevent the growth of mold which can destroy the evidential value of the blood. Air must be able to flow around the evidence to prevent moisture buildup.

Charred debris from a fire must be sealed in an airtight container, such as new metal paint cans, to prevent any volatile petroleum residues from evaporating. This could be evidence of arson.

What is the chain of custody? Why is it important?

A list of all persons who came into possession of an item of evidence. It's important because each person who comes in contact with a piece of evidence must use proper procedure and protocol in order to maintain responsible handling of evidence from crime scene to courtroom in order for the evidence to be admissible in court.

When you don't need a warrant?

under emergency circumstances (danger to life or limb)

if there is immediate danger of the loss or destruction of evidence

if there is probable cause — the search of a person and their immediate property in conjunction with a lawful arrest

with the consent of the involved parties

What is arson?

Arson is the criminal act of deliberately setting a fire.

What are the requirements for combustion?

A fuel must be present

Oxygen must be available in sufficient quantity to combine with the fuel

Heat must be applied to initiate the combustion, and sufficient heat must be generated to sustain the reaction

Common reasons for arson?

Insurance Fraud

Crime Concealment

Pyromania

Revenge

Clues investigators use to determine arson took place

When investigators arrive on the scene they immediately look for the point of origin of the fire (where the fire began), also look for a V-Pattern of char/soot that leads them to the origin. After this they focus their attention to accelerants that could have started this fire. There are several ways investigators can determine the accelerants.

Portable hydrocarbon detectors

Accelerant sniffing dogs

Identifiable pour patterns ( that are then tested)

Russel Williams case- evidence/ crime scene details.

car tires matched up
boot imprints matched up
digital camera cards with 1000s of photos of jessica loyd, mary frans komo, jane doe and lory Messacoti
subfolders protected by layers of passwords
blackberry, memory cards, sony camera
electronic log of his offenses
more than 500 pairs of underwear, bras, camisoles and bathing suits belonging to the victims as well as children
2 500gb hard drives
300 pieces of lingerie
more sex toes
duct tape,zip ties, photography and video equipment
photos of mary franz komo and jessica loyd after her death
photos of him masterbating with or on young girls underwear and beds as well as ejaculating on them
child pornography on his computer
his first break in was in sept 2007
He walked in the unlocked door of his neighbor's for their 12 year old daughter.
three weeks later let himself in again
took photos of himself in her female underwear
laying on the bed naked
masterbating

Russel Williams case- evidence/ crime scene details. part 2

evidence that he had ejaculated
he continued stealing women's underwear in the middle of the night
he would place the underwear's in boxes or bags and would burn them in fields when he had accumulated too many
continued to break in, steal and take photos.
2009- watched a women in the shower broke in and stole her underwear
Police discovered a document saying Russell wanted to get into a 14 year old girl's bedroom, after stealing her underwear he stripped naked in the backyard and jerked off to them. When she was home, he watched her through the window hoping to see her change her clothes.
russel wrote a letter to his wife mary elizabeth as well as the survivors and family members of the victims
82 instances 42 residents between 2007-2009
23 in tweed and belleville
25 ottawa suburb of orleans
61 of the instances were unrecognized
charged with 2 counts of first degree murder also 2 counts of force ale confinement 2 counts of breaking and entering 2 counts of sexually assaulting jane doe and lory messacoti. 82 offenses of breaking entering and theft
36 hours after his confession he told the chaplain that inside the piano was two video tapes and a digital camera with more images and footage of his victims
Russell tried to kill himself in jail and didn't succeed.
oct 18 2010 pleaded guilty to all charges except for the child pornography
russell refused interviews to discuss his motivation
he was not addressed as having a mental illness