Forensics

Arson Investigator

• Knowledgeable of fire and mechanics 

• Gather eyewitnesses 

• Testimony in court proceedings/insurance

Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)

• Collect evidence necessary to recreate a violent crime

• Careful documentation & evidence analysis 

• Proof they gather is crucial to cases

DNA Analyst

• Human Tissue samples (blood, semen, hair) 

• Finds genetic codes to identity both victims and perpetrators 

• Lab job, don't spend much time at crime scenes 

• Can testify in court if asked

Forensic Accountant

• Basic investigating skills 

• Find defects in financial statements 

• Perform inspections that can be presented for trails

Forensic Anthropologist

• Analyze and apply techniques 

• Violent force/trauma related deaths 

• Skin and bone observation are main studies

Autopsy Technician

• Human Anatomy

• Finding cause of death 

• Dissection 

Ballistics Expert

• Highly knowledgeable of guns 

• Connect specific firearms to specific crimes

• Trace evidence on or regarding guns

Odontoligist

• Dentistry & Law

• Teeth and mouth (applying to both civil and criminal law) 

• Identifying criminals/perpetrators as well as victims of accidents

Document Examiner

• Detects forgery 

• Scientific method examination 

• Work in state, county, federal agencies, and municipal crime labs

Forensics Engineer

• Identifying failure/malfunction in strictures 

• Identifying if structures were tampered with 

Forensics Investigator

• Similar to detectives 

• Conduct interviews 

• Investigative reports & analysis of public & private records

Forensic Medical Examiner

• Government employee 

• Investigates human bodies that have died under usual circumstances 

• Often perform administrative duties

Forensic Nurse

• Identify and treat victims of abuse and rape 

• Trained on how to gather and present evidence in court

Forensic Pathologist

• Conduct autopsies & post mortem exams 

• Unnatural circumstances 

• Work closely with law enforcement and legal teams

Forensic Technician

• Collect and analyze physical evidence 

• Gather biological material, glass, hair, fingerprints, fabric, etc.

Forensic Entomologist

• Find how insects play a role in the breakdown 

• Examine early stages of the body’s decomposition

Why is observation important?

Forensic scientists need to know which evidence is noteworthy; they need to know everything that was seen pertaining to a crime

What is deduction?

Drawing a conclusion from general observations- ex: a detective might look at many general facts about a crime scene and deduce the kind of crime that occurred

What is an inference?

Making predictions or drawing conclusions based on available evidence

What is direct evidence?

Evidence that is confirmed factual (from eyewitness or confessions)

What is circumstantial evidence?

Evidence is decided by a Judge or Jury- comes from forensic science (generally more reliable then direct)

Testimonial Evidence

statement made under oath: direct

Physical Evidence

objects or materials: indirect

Transient Evidence

temporary, can be easily changed or lost

Pattern Evidence

produced by direct contact between person/object or 2 objects

Conditional Evidence

produced by specific event or action

Associative Evidence

items that may associate victims with each other: personal belongings

Transfer Evidence

produced by contact between person/object variations

What is Locard’s Principal?

Anytime there is contact made between two items, matter is exchanged

What is Eyewitness Testimony?

an account given by people of an event they have witnessed

What impacts memory?

• Misinterpretation

• Conversations with co-witnesses 

• Expectations of what should have happened

• Stress/Fatigue 

• Reassurance 

• Way in which evidence is presented

First Amendment

Fundamental Freedoms (Speech, Religion)

Second Amendment

Right to Bear Arms (Can own a registered gun)

Third Amendment

Quartering Soldiers (Right to private property)

Fourth Amendment

Searches and Seizures (Personal privacy)

Fifth Amendment

Rights of Persons (No self incrimination, can’t be tried twice for the same crime)

Sixth Amendment

Rights in Criminal Prosecutions (Right to a jury and speedy trial)

Seventh Amendment

Civil Trial Rights (Civil cases are decided by federal court)

Eighth Amendment

Cruel and Unusual Punishment (Not allowed)

Ninth Amendment

Unenumerated Rights (Rights of citizens are protected whether listed or not)

Tenth Amendment

Rights Reserved to the States and the People (Federal gov. only has power delegated in the constitution)

What are the Miranda Laws?

• You have the right to remain silent

• Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law

• You have the right to an attorney

• If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you

Criminal Law

threatening, harmful to, or otherwise endangering the property, health, safety, and welfare of people

Civil Law

Law relating to a society- interactions between members of a community, (covers divorce, property rights, contracts, and other conflicts between people)

Municipal Law

The ordinances and other laws applicable within a city, town, or other local governmental entity

Constitutional Law

Rights carved out in the federal and state constitutions- The majority of this body of law has developed from state and federal supreme court rulings

Administrative Law

Law that regulates the operation and procedures of government agencies

Family Law

Laws pertaining relationships between people and their families- cases involving prenuptial agreements, divorce, domestic violence, etc.