Chapter 1 Review - An Introduction to Forensic Science

forensic science

forensic science

the application of science to the criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police in a criminal justice system

Hans Gross

wrote the book on applying all the different science disciplines to criminal investigation

Edmond Locard

started the 1st crime lab

Locard’s Exchange Principles

“Every contact leaves a trace”

crime laboratory

facilities dedicated to forensic analysis of criminal evidence

5 required units for full service crime lab

1. Physical Science

2. Biology

3. Firearms

4. Document Examination

5. Photography

Optional units for a crime lab

• Toxicology

• Latent Fingerprint Unit

• Polygraph

• Voiceprint Analysis

• CSI Unit

Who created the 1st forensic lab in the U.S.? When?

LAPD, 1923

The increasing demand for ____ ________ has been the single most important factor in recent expansion of crime laboratories in the U.S.

drug analyses

4 federal agencies that have forensic services

1. FBI

2. DEA

3. ATF

4. USPS

Function of the physical science unit in a crime lab

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

What is examined in the biology unit of a crime lab?

• blood

• hairs

• fibers

• vegetative materials

What is examined in the firearms unit of a crime lab?

• bullets

• cartridge cases

• shotgun shells

• ammunition

What’s done in the toxicology unit?

the examination of body fluids and organs for drugs and poisons

The CSI Unit

Dispatches trained personnel to the scene of a crime to retrieve evidence for lab examination

Forensic Science

the application of science to the criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police in a criminal justice system

8 special forensics science services

1. Pathology

2. Anthropology

3. Odontology

4. Entomology

5. Psychiatrist

6. Serologist

7. Engineering

8. Computer and Digital Analysis

Mathieu Orfilia

father of toxicology

Toxicology

study of poisonous substances and their effects upon body parts

Alphonse Bertillon

Father of Anthropometry

Anthropometry

the scientific study of the measurements and proportions of the human body.

Francis Galton

father of fingerprint classification

Leonne Lattes

Father of Blood Identification

Calvin Goddard

Father of Ballistics

Ballistics

the study of the dynamics or flight characteristics of projectiles

Albert Osborn

Father of Document Examination

Walter McCrone

Father of Microscopic Forensics

Forensic Pathology

a medical specialty that focuses on investigating sudden or unnatural deaths to determine the cause and manner of death

Forensic Anthropology

The branch of physical anthropology in which anthropological data, criteria, and techniques are used to determine the sex, age, genetic population, or parentage of skeletal or biological materials in questions of civil or criminal law

Forensic Odontology

Studying the remains of teeth and dental work for evidence to identify the victim or suspect

Forensic Entomology

the study of insects as they pertain to legal issues

forensic psychiatrist

specializing in legal consideration of the competence to stand trial

Serologist

analyzes blood evidence and other bodily fluids

Forensic Engineering

concerned with failure analysis, accident reconstruction, and causes and origins of fires or explosions

Forensic Computer and Digital Analysis

involves identifying, collecting, preserving and examining information derived from computers and other digital devices, such as cell phones.

CSI Effect

Unrealistic expectations of the field of forensic science bc of TV shows and Movies

Testimonial Evidence

Oral or written statements given to police as well as testimony in court by people who witnessed an event.

4 things that can effect an eye witness' account of an event

1. age

2. race

3. use of drugs or alcohol

4. other people’s testimonies

2. race

3. use of drugs or alcohol

4. other people's account of the event