Introduction to Forensic Science There are 3 main areas of work for the forensic scientist

A. What is Forensic Science? Law & Order Theme Short Law & Order Theme Short 1. The application of science to law  Therefore, Forensic Science is an APPLIED science  It is also called Criminalistics

2. They also provide expert testimony in court Expert Witness: has knowledge not expected of the average person 3. They also train law enforcement personnel in recognition, collection and preservation of evidence

B. Working in Forensics Interview with a For.Sc. Interview with a For.Sc. The profession is very diverse. The American Academy of Forensics is the largest such organization in the world. It has identified 10 areas that make up the field of forensics. And they are…

10 areas of Forensics (match these to your notes) Criminalistics The application of scientific techniques in collecting and analyzing physical evidence in criminal cases. These professionals examine and Compare evidence in crime labs. # 1

Medical Jurisprudence Zimmerman voice expert Zimmerman voice expert Professionals here apply medical knowledge to questions of civil and criminal law, especially in court proceedings. Experts testify for both the Prosecution and the defense. Ex: Zimmerman, Trevon martin Trial: voice experts # 5

Forensic Pathology Professionals here must be a medical doctor. Examines bodies for evidence such as time of death, cause of death and any relevant information that may aid the investigators in the case. Other titles: medical examiners (M.E.) or coroners # 4

Professionals in this area analyze plant, animal and insect evidence, as well as body fluids and hair. Forensic Biology # 3 Hair

Engineering Science Quebec Train Quebec Train The examination of structures and objects to determine the cause of failure or damage. Such as a Crash Accident Fire Explosion – Example: The train crash in Canada this summer. Or the more recent train derailment on the train tracks into New York. # 2

Forensic Psychiatry & Behavior These specialists study the mind of an individual. Usually determines circumstances behind a criminal's behavior. #10

Physical Anthropology Professionals in this specialty recover and identify skeletonized human remains. They work to solve criminal cases as well as natural disasters, war zones and other settings. # 6

Forensic Document Examination Is document/writing authentic or Forged/counterfeit? # 9

Scientists in this field help identify remains by the dental records. Analyze marks made by teeth. Odontology # 7

Toxicology Toxicologists examine trace evidence of poisons or drugs, including prescription drugs, that may be the cause of death or injury. # 8

Investigative tools that don’t fit neatly into one of the “sections” Fingerprinting Firearm examination Tool Mark Examination (bullets and firearm) Photography Digital Data Analysis recovery and investigation of material found in digital devices, often in relation to computer crime.

Major US Crime Labs FBI - FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION DEA - DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY ATF - ALCOHOL TOBACCO AND FIREARMS US Postal Service US Fish and Wildlife Service

Modern Crime Labs Include following Units: 1. Physical Science 2. Chemistry 3. Physics 4. Geology 5. Biology 6. Firearms 7. Examination 8. Photography 9. Toxicology 10. Latent Fingerprint 11. Voiceprint Analysis 12. Evidence Collection

F. Locard’s Exchange Principle When 2 objects come in contact with each other, a cross transfer occurs. Victim, Suspect, Crime Scene: They are all connected to each other. We just have to figure out how they are connected. “Every contact leaves a trace” Sometimes called the forensic triangle Edmond Locard: started one of the first police labs in France 1910

Facets of Guilt Try to prove:  Means —person had ability to do the crime  Motive —person had a reason to do the crime (not necessary to prove in a court of law)  Opportunity —person can be placed at crime

Cut to History Take a guess…

Whose job is it? A fire destroys an apartment building in the middle of the night. Four families are displaced from their homes. Forensic Engineer

Whose job is it? Headline reads: “Badly decomposed body found in marsh lands by the Meadowlands” Physical Anthropologist

Whose job is it? Expert witness testifies in court: Gives big advantage to prosecution. Medical Jurisprudence, the professional is called an expert witness

Whose job is it? Time of death was established. Medical Examiner or the Coroner

Whose job is it? The remains of the furnace were collected and analyzed back at the lab. Forensic Engineer

Whose job is it? Blood samples were taken and tested for various narcotics Forensic Biologist

Whose job is it? The suspect was questioned in an effort to determine her criminal behavior. Forensic Psychologist

Whose job is it? Paint chips were extracted and analyzed for authenticity Fraud analyst

Whose job is it? Dental records were consulted in an attempt to identify the victim. Odontologist