Forensic Overview

Russell Jordan case

His bones were discovered in the desert and identified using mtDNA.

what was the Russell Jordan case solved with

mitochondrial DNA

where does mitochondrial DNA come from

mother’s sides, it is the same as all maternal relatives

what has mtDNA

bones, teeth, all hair

Forensic Photography

Photograph is analyzed /compared to something else.

are forensic photography and crime scene photography the same?

no, forensic compares and crime scene documents

Shoe Print Database

links to make and model of shoe (not specific pair, therefore not to specific person)

Chemical Analysis Unit

Analyze drugs/residue, explosives, liquids, powders, and gases

Biological Evidence Collection, serology

Look at evidence and examine for bodily liquid stains

Nuclear and mitochondrial (mt) DNA

Analyze blood using DNA, no longer just blood type

CODIS

Started in 1998, National, state, and local databases, More than 300 wrongfully convicted individuals exonerated because of CODIS

what does CODIS stand for

Combined DNA Index System

what is CODIS for

it is the National DNA database

CODIS case statistics

over 500 thousand cases solved, over 300 wrongfully accused exonerated

Firearms and Toolmarks

firearms examiners compare using unique microscopic marks

Shoe Print Database

links to make and model of shoe (not specific pair, therefore not to specific person)

Latent Prints

Must do something to reveal them (cannot be seen without some technique to reveal them), Doesnt have to be fingerprints, can be palm/footprints

Shoe Bomb

Richard Reid took off his shoe and attempted to light an IED on AA flight 626, Would have worked and absolutely obliterated the plane, but the sweat from his foot neutralized the bomb before he ever lit it

Evidence Collection and Preservation

completed by the Evidence Response Team

Forensic Entomology

insects