MP1 + MP2 Review

Forensic Science

The application of science to criminal and civil laws

Locard

Workable crime lab, father of forensic science

Galton

1st study of fingerprints

Bertillon

1st system of personal ID

Orfila

Father of forensic toxicology

Odontology

Using teeth to provide ID

Entomology

Using insects as a basis for legal evidence

Anthropology

Study of bones to legal cases

Basic methods of crime scene recording

Photography, sketches, and notes

Physical Science Unit

Uses chem, physics, and geology to compare and identify physical evidence

Biology Unit

Uses biology to investigate blood, hair, etc.

Firearms Unit

Bullets

Document Unit

Handwriting analysis

Photographic Unit

Recording and examining physical evidence

Role of judge in the courtroom

“Gatekeepers” for the admissibility and validity of scientific evidence presented in court and expert testimony

Role of jury in the courtroom

Evaluates the credibility and weight of evidence and expert testimony

Role of expert witnesses in the courtroom

Evaluate evidence based on specialized training and experience

Chain of Custody

A list of all person’s who came into possesion of an item of evidence

Evidence handling, collection, and packaging

Take photos to document evidence. Evidence is packaged and collected separately in airtight containers to prevent cross contamination. Only bloodstained materials are NOT stored in airtight containers to prevent mold.

Rigor Mortis

Stiffening of muscles

Livor Mortis

Settling of blood in areas of the body closest to ground

Algor Mortis

Loss of heat by a body

Class Evidence

Evidence associated with only a group, ex: type A blood

Individual Evidence

Evidence associated to a common source with high degree of probability, ex: fingerprints

IAFIS

Integrated Automated Fingerprint ID System

CODIS

Combined DNA Index System

NIBIN

National Integrated Ballistics Information Network

PDQ

International Forensic Automotive Paint Data Query

SICAR

Shoeprint Imagine Capture + Retrievel

Transient physical evidence

Temporary evidence

Pattern physical evidence

Direct contact

Conditional physical evidence

Produced by a specific event or action

Transfer physical evidence

Produced by a contact between a person’s or object

Associative physical evidence

Items that may associated a victim/suspect with another

Reasons for commiting crimes

Money, revenge, or emotion

Responsibilities for people at the crime scene

• First officer on scene = secure crime scene, access who is hurt, detain witness, arrest the perp., take notes

• Crime Scene Investigator = document the scene through photography, sketches, and notes. Properly collect and package physical evidence.

• Medical Examiner = Identify deceased, establish time/date of death, determine cause of death, notify next of kin

Dactyloscopy

Study of fingerprint identification

• Dactylogram = a fingerprint

Arches

• Ridges enter on one side and exit on the other.

• No deltas

• 5% occurrence

Loops

• One delta and 1+ ridges that enter and leave on the same side

• 60% occurrence

Whorls

• Have at least one ridge that tends to make a complete circuit

• Have at least two deltas

  • Accidental whorls have more than 2 deltas

• 35% occurrence

Frye V. U.S. Case

Established the "general acceptance" rule; scientific evidence is only allowed in court if the scientific community generally accepts the method as reliable

Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Case

Established that the judge acts as a "gatekeeper" to ensure that scientific testimony or evidence is truly based on scientific knowledge

Kumho tire co. v. Carmichael Case

Extended the judge's "gatekeeper" role to include all expert testimony, not just scientific knowledge, covering technical and other specialized expertise