Comprehensive Legal Principles, Landmark Cases, and Forensic Investigation Study Guide

Constitutional Amendments and Legal Protections

• $4^{th}$ Amendment: This amendment provides legal protection for individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures conducted by the government.

• $5^{th}$ Amendment: This amendment guarantees specific legal rights, including the right to a grand jury for federal crimes.

• $6^{th}$ Amendment: This amendment ensures the right to a speedy and public trial. It further mandates that the trial must be overseen by an impartial jury.

Landmark Supreme Court Cases and Legal Principles

• Terry v. Ohio: This landmark Supreme Court case established the legal protocol known as "stop and frisk." Under this ruling, police officers are permitted to briefly detain an individual and conduct a pat down of their outer clothing to search for weapons, provided they possess "reasonable suspicion." This case is intrinsically linked to the protections of the $4^{th}$ Amendment.

• Miranda v. Arizona: This case established that police officers must inform individuals of their legal rights, collectively known as "Miranda rights," before the individuals are placed in custody and interrogated. These rights are protected under the $5^{th}$ Amendment.

• Mapp v. Ohio: This ruling determined that evidence seized unlawfully—specifically without a valid search warrant—is inadmissible and cannot be used in criminal prosecutions within state courts. The transcript notes this case relates to the (First amendment).

• Gideon v. Wainwright: This case ensures the provision of defense attorneys to any defendant who cannot afford to hire one, specifically upholding the protections of the $6^{th}$ Amendment.

• Lead Identification: A lead is defined as a piece of information or a clue used by attorneys to help build a legal case or by police to conduct a thorough investigation.

Investigations and Forensic Analysis

• Types of Criminal Activity: The Mafia has historically been known for engaging in specific types of crimes, including:

  • Extortion.

  • Gambling.

  • Prostition.

  • Loan-sharking.

• Wiretap Technology: A wiretap is defined as a specific device used to listen in on a person’s telephone calls for the purpose of gathering information or evidence.

• Fingerprint Identification: Forensic science identifies several distinct patterns in human fingerprints, categorized as:

  • Loops.

  • Whorls.

  • Arches.

• Latent Definitions: The term "latent" is used to describe something that is present, existing, or holding potential, yet remains hidden, inactive, or not yet fully developed.

• Ballistic Evidence and Stippling: Stippling refers to a specific pattern of tiny, punctate abrasions found on the skin surrounding a gunshot entry wound.

• Lab Analysis Roles: The examination of toolmark evidence in a laboratory setting is conducted by firearm or toolmark examiners.

• Concept of "Foreign" Evidence: In the context of a crime scene, "foreign" refers to any material, substance, or biological sample discovered that does not naturally belong in that specific environment or did not originate from the victim.

Court Forensics and Jurisprudence

• Subpoena Power: A subpoena is a formal written order that legally compels a person to testify under oath.

• Grand Jury Function: A grand jury consists of a group of citizens selected to examine evidence. Their primary role is to determine if there is enough probable cause to formally charge an individual with a crime.

• Standard of Proof: To render a guilty verdict in a criminal case, the jury must meet the standard of proof known as Reasonable doubt.

• Prosecutorial and Defense Roles:

  • Prosecutors: These individuals represent the government and hold the responsibility of proving the defendant’s guilt.

  • Public Defenders: These are court-appointed attorneys tasked with protecting the constitutional rights of and advocating for defendants who are unable to afford private legal representation.

Questions & Discussion

• Question: What roles do crime scene techs play as opposed to investigators?

• Response: Crime scene techs are responsible for processing the physical crime scene.

• Question: Who is responsible for determining the cause of death?

• Response: A medical examiner.

• Question: What is the difference between cause of death and manner of death?

• Response: The cause of death refers to the specific medical injury or disease. The manner of death is the legal classification describing the circumstances under which the death occurred (e.g., Homicide, suicide, accidental death, natural causes).

• Incomplete Prompt: Blood or damp evidence should be collected for transportation to the lab in