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Introduction to Forensic Science

• Definition: The application of scientific principles and techniques to criminal justice concerning the collection, examination, and analysis of physical evidence.

• Concept of Forensics: Relates to science in the service of the law (Harris & Lee).

Role and Value of Forensic Science in Society

• Aids in investigations by providing leads.

• Establishes the basic legal elements of a crime, termed Corpus Delicti.

• Supports or disproves statements made by witnesses, victims, or suspects.

• Facilitates the identification of individuals and substances.

• Establishes linkages or exclusions among various pieces of evidence.

History of Forensic Science

• Alphonse Bertillon: Developed a body measurement-based criminal identification method.

• Henry, Galton & Herschel: Pioneered the study and application of fingerprints for identification in the 1890s.

• Dr. Edmond Locard: Established the first forensic lab and developed the Locard Exchange Principle, earning him the title "Father of Modern Forensic Science".

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Established a forensic laboratory in 1932.

• New York City Police Department: Began operations around 1934.

• Formation of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) in 1948, promoting uniformity and accreditation in forensic practices.

Accreditation in Forensic Science

• Many forensic labs are accredited to validate their work quality, initiated by bodies such as the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD).

• Laboratory Accreditation Board established in 1982 for departmental certification.

Specialty Areas in Forensic Science

• Forensic Entomology: Studies insect life cycles from remains to estimate time of death.

• Forensic Pathology: Determines cause and manner of death; distinguishes between coroner and medical examiner systems.

• Forensic Toxicology: Analyzes the effects of drugs, poisons, and toxins in the body.

• Criminalistics: Examines various evidence types, including biological, material, chemical, and pattern evidence analysis.

• Forensic Odontology: Provides identification analysis through dental records and bite marks; crucial in mass disaster scenarios.

• Forensic Anthropology: Examines human skeletal remains to estimate age, stature, ethnicity, and gender.

• Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology: Evaluates offenders and profilers based on modus operandi.

• Digital Forensics: Focuses on digital evidence collection from electronics, including uncovering hidden data.

Forensic Science and the Scientific Method

• Emphasizes adherence to the scientific method:

  • Careful observation and logical supposition of findings.

  • Hypothesis testing through controlled experiments.

  • Refinement of hypotheses through observation and theory formulation.

Elements of Forensic Analysis

• Evidence Recognition: Identification of potential evidence in a crime scene.

• Classification and Identification: Categorizing evidence into groups or classes (e.g., hair, fibers).

• Individualization: Narrowing down evidence through class and individual characteristics.

• Reconstruction: Analyzing physical evidence to understand the sequence of events leading to a crime.