Intro To Forensics

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Forensic Science

Also called criminalistics. The study and application of science to matters of the law.

Forensic Scientist Jobs

1. Processes and documents crime scenes

2. Collects and preserves evidence

3. Analyzes and compares evidence

4. Reconstructs data

5. Forms theories

6. Provides expert testimony

Pathology

Medical Doctors. Performs autopsies and determines cause of death

Odontology

Dentists. Perform bite-mark analysis and match dental records

Toxicology

Identifies toxic substances in the body.(drugs/poison)

Anthropology

Identifies personal characteristics (sex, race, age, stature)

Serology

Identifies bodily fluids (semen, vaginal fluid, saliva, blood)

Entomology

Scientist that uses insects to determine time and location of death

Psychiatry & Psychology

Evaluate offenders and profile criminal cases

Engineering

Investigate transportation accident, material failure cases, and determines collapses of buildings/structures

Computer Science

Investigates criminal use of technology and electronic records

Francis Henry Galton

uniqueness of fingerprints, 3 ways to classify

Hans Gross

1st study describing application of scientific principles to field of criminal investigation; published Criminal Investigation

Edmond Locard

1st to apply forensics science to working crime lab

Locard's Exchange Principle

Every contact leaves a trace

Quantico

World's largest forensic lab

Expert witness

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

Mathieu Orfila

father of forensic toxicology

Alphonse Bertillon

Anthropometry (body measurements); Father of Criminal Identification

Albert Osborn

developed the fundamental principles of document examination (handwriting)

Calvin Goddard

used a comparison microscope to determine if a particular gun fired a bullet

fingerprinting

Replaced Bertillon measurements, more reliable, uniquely identifiable

probable cause

must be established in order for police to obtain search/arrest warrant

lie detector test

polygraph

sound spectrograph

A machine that creates a unique voiceprint of a person's voice or other sounds

double jeopardy

the prosecution of a person twice for the same offense.

equity law

preventative law (ex. the creation of restraining orders)

Trace and Transfer Evidence

Identification of small quantities of materials found at a scene or on a victim

civil law

private law; law between individuals

Austin

DPS HQ

felony

major crime

no contest

the person doesn't admit to guilt but will not fight the prosecutions case; effect is the same as guilty plea

plea bargain

a defendant's admission of guilt in exchange for a less severe punishment + less money

DPS

Department of Public Safety

August Vollmer

Established the first crime lab in the US

criminal law

public law

Karl Landsteiner

Discovered ABO blood types

Bill of Rights

individual rights in Constitution

FBI

maintains largest crime lab in world

common law

judicial opinions and precedents

miranda rights

Rights a suspect must be informed of before questioning

deductive reasoning

conclusions from evidence (general to specific)

statutory law

Constitution

indict

to charge with a crime

latent

fingerprint u cant see

Chain of Custody

The paper trail that documents the possession of evidence collected from a crime scene (cant use in court if broken)

Misdemeanor

minor crime

criminal vs civil

state is often plaintiff, must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, penalties: fines, community service, probation, incarceration, life sentence, capital punishment; individuals, resolved by fines or transfer of property, "preponderance of evidence" (most likely than not)

preliminary hearing

to determine whether person charged w crime should be held for trial (grand jury). Judge asks: is there enough evidence to proceed? is there probable cause to go forward?

how to plead insanity (insanity defense)

(forensic psychiatrits) did not know what or how wrong actions were at time of crime

Scotland Yard

oldest crime lab in world

LAPD (1923)

1st crime lab in America

Leone Lattes

blood type from DRIED blood

William Herschel

Used thumbprints on documents to identify workers in India instead of signatures

Henry Fauld

fingerprints to eliminate innocent burglary suspect

USPIS (United States Postal Inspection Service)

postal inspectors carry firearms, make arrests, execute fed search warrants, serve subpoenas; oldest fed law enforcement

circumstantial evidence

inference to conclusion

DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)

the federal law enforcement agency responsible for controlling narcotics

ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms)

1972, roots in Prohibition; protects communities from violent criminals, criminal orgs, illegal use and trafficking of firearms and explosives, acts of arson/bombings/terrorism, violations of tax law, illegal diversion of alcohol and tobacco (ATFE - Explosives)

72 hrs

within how many hours is a suspect brought before magistrate/judge or comissioner

grand jury

A jury of 12 to 23 persons who, in private, hear evidence presented by the government to determine whether persons shall be required to stand trial. If the jury believes there is sufficient evidence that a crime was committed, it issues an indictment.

inductive reasoning

specific to general

4th Amendment

Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures

5th Amendment

Due Process; Double Jeopardy; Self incrimination; Grand Jury

6th Amendment

criminal prosecutions; speedy public trial; witnesses; counsel

7th Amendment

civil; trial by jury

8th Amendment

No cruel or unusual punishment

9th Amendment

Citizens entitled to rights not listed in the Constitution

10th Amendment

Powers Reserved to the States

medical examiner

performs autopsies and history

can polygraphs be used in court

no

whos in charge of breathelyzers?

DPS

arraignment

Defendant enters a plea

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Author of Sherlock Holmes; Considered the first “CSI”

Administrative Law

Laws established by agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or branches of the military

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.

Admissibility

Whether or not evidence can be used in court. Evidence must be legally obtained.

13th Century China

The first case ever recorded using forensic science. When someone was stabbed, all of the knives in the village were collected. Flies were attracted to the traces of blood and landed on only one of the knives, causing the suspect to confess.

Photography Unit

Responsible for recording and examining physical evidence. May use special techniques (digital imaging, infrared, x-ray). Also responsible for photographic display in courtroom presentations.

Voice Print 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)

Physical Science Unit

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

Document Examination Unit

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