Forensic Science: Introduction, Scope, and History

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definition of forensic science, historical milestones, the Ted Bundy case study, and Locard's Exchange Principle.

Forensic Science

The application of science to criminal and civil laws.

Ted Bundy

A serial killer convicted of kidnapping in Utah who escaped in 1976, targeted young women, and was ultimately convicted due to bite mark evidence on a victim's leg before being executed in 1989.

3rd Century China Forensics Case

The earliest record of forensic science, in which a coroner determined a man was murdered before being burned by experimenting on live and dead pigs to compare ash in the mouth and throat.

Locard's Exchange Principle

The forensic concept stating that whenever a perpetrator enters a crime scene, physical transfer occurs, meaning every criminal carries something away from the scene.

Edmond Locard

The forensic pioneer who, in 1910, proposed that criminals always carry traces (such as dust, fingerprints, or skin cells) away from a crime scene.

Factors Determining Extent of Transfer

The three conditions that dictate the degree of trace evidence transfer under Locard's Exchange Principle: intensity, duration, and nature of materials.

FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

Largest crime lab in the world

DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency)

Analyzes drugs seized in violation of federal laws

Regulates the production, sale, and transportation of drugs

ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives)

Analyzes alcoholic beverages, examines weapons, explosive devices, and documentation

U.S. postal services….?

Maintains labs concerned with criminal investigations relating to the postal service

Biological Unit

Identifies / profiles evidence from living things

Examines:

DNA profiling, compare hair and fibers, id / compare botanical materials (wood and plants)

Physical Science Unit

Applies techniques from chemistry, physics, and geology 

Examines: 

• Drugs, glass, paint, explosives and soil

Firearms Unit

Examine ballistics and residues from ballistics (bullets / shells /etc)

Ballistic techniques were pioneered by US Army Colonel C. Goddard.

Document Examination Unit

Studies the handwriting / typewriting on questioned documents to determine authenticity/source

Examines: 

• analyzes paper, ink, indented writings, erasures

Style Characteristics

How you initially learned to write letters (all would have been very similar as you learned)

Individual Characteristics

Exemplars

Comparison samples from a known author 

Photography Unit

Examines and records physical evidence and also prepares photos for court presentations.

Staff: Expert photographic technicians and general scientists

Toxicology Unit (optional service)

tests body fluids for drugs, alcohol, or poisons.

Latent Fingerprint (optional service) 

present but not evident - must develop

Forensic Computing

identifying, collecting, preserving, and examining info from computers

Daubert V. Merrel

In 1993, the supreme court asserted that the Frye Standard is not absolute and a trial judge may deem evidence admissible as well.

TRIAL JUDGE - “the gatekeeper”

establishes facts, decides if evidence is sufficient for trial and sets bail for criminal cases if necessary