Lecture 1: Introduction to Forensics

Forensic Science

The use of science and technology to enforce civil and criminal laws, applying a broad range of sciences and technology to establish facts of interest.

CSI Effect

The phenomenon where the portrayal of forensic science in media leads the public to believe that forensic evidence is simple and always available.

Locard’s Exchange Principle

The principle stating that every contact leaves a trace, meaning evidence is always transferred during interactions.

Chain of Custody

A process that tracks the handling of evidence to ensure it has not been altered or tampered with.

Inculpatory Evidence

Evidence that includes a person as a suspect in a crime.

Exculpatory Evidence

Evidence that excludes a person as a suspect in a crime.

Direct Evidence

Evidence that does not require additional information to support its validity.

Circumstantial Evidence

Evidence that requires additional information to support its validity.

Class Evidence

Evidence that refers to a group of people, increasing the probability of narrowing down suspects.

Individual Evidence

Evidence that refers to a specific person, characterized by unique features.

National Commission on Forensic Science

An organization that established standard operating procedures for crime labs regarding ethics.

Accreditation

A certification issued to a lab demonstrating that all services meet established standards.

Certification

A process involving a written exam and yearly proficiency tests for forensic professionals.

Body Farm

A research facility where real human bodies are studied to understand post-mortem decay processes.

Expert Witness

A person with extensive training and qualifications in a specific discipline who provides testimony in court.

Frye Test

A standard for admissibility of evidence requiring general acceptance within the scientific community.

Daubert Test

A standard that prioritizes peer review, acceptance in the scientific community, and validated methods for admissibility of evidence.

Federal Rule 702

A rule stating that a qualified witness may testify if their knowledge assists in understanding the evidence.

Kumho Tire Rule

A rule extending gatekeeping to all expert testimony, not just scientific.

The Daubert Trilogy

A series of court cases that established standards for the admissibility of expert testimony in federal courts.

frye

Is Florida a Daubert or Frye State?

speak for the evidence

What is the pure job of a forensic scientist?