Chapter 1 Observation Skills

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS for Chapter 1 What is “forensic science” & what must a forensic examiner be able to do? What is OBSERVATION/ PERCEPTION? What changes to information occur in the brain? What are 4 ways to improve your observation skills? Are EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS reliable? What FACTORS influence eyewitness accounts? Objectives: Define “forensic science.” Describe what certain forensic specialists study. Describe the 4 responsibilities of a forensic scientist/ crime scene investigator. Define and differentiate between observation & perception. Describe how your brain changes your observations. Describe factors influencing eyewitness accounts Compare the reliability of eyewitness testimony with what actually happened Describe 4 ways to improve your observation skills

What does the term forensic mean? Forensic is Latin for FORUM. It is the application of science to the law. The word forensic comes from the Latin adjective forensis, meaning "of or before the forum". In Roman times, a criminal charge meant presenting the case before a group of public individuals in the forum. Both the person accused of the crime and the accuser would give speeches based on their side of the story. The individual with the best argument and delivery would determine the outcome of the case. “Forensic” is also used as a term for debates.

Some Forensic Specialties…. Forensic Pathology Serology Toxicology Forensic Anthropology Botany Entomology

Autopsies the body and determines the cause of death. Forensic Pathologist: Autopsies the body and determines the cause of death. Also called a coroner or medical examiner

Studies blood. Forensic serologist: Studies blood (serum) – e.g. for blood type, to process blood for DNA analysis, for possible drugs in blood…. *not the same as blood spatter Forensic serologist: Studies blood.

Studies of drugs and poisons. Toxicologist: Studies of drugs and poisons.

Studies of human bones & remains. Forensic anthropologist: Studies of human bones & remains. Dr. Bill Bass established the body farm at University of Tennessee to study how bodies decompose….

Botanist: Studies of plant life

Entomologist: Studies of insects

Forensic examiners & Crime Scene Investigators RESPONSIBILITIES a. RECOGNIZE – find & identify the evidence b. DOCUMENT – record the evidence c. COLLECT – properly store evidence d. ANALYZE/ INTERPRET – accurately determine the significance of the of the evidence. The forensic examiner is usually a trained scientist whereas the crime scene investigator is usually a police officer/ detective. Recognizing the evidence is often the MOST challenging aspect Documentation means LOTS OF PHOTOS!!!!

WHY WOULD OBSERVATION BE IMPORTANT FOR THE FORENSIC SCIENTIST & CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR????

Observation Gathering information about your surroundings using the 5 senses Sight Taste Smell Hearing Touch

Two observation tests. Basketball Clip Color Changing Card Trick http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_262395&feature=iv&src_vid=voAntzB7EwE&v=v3iPrBrGSJM So, what factors impact what you observe? > Distractions/ surroundings…. What you were focusing on….

Information from our senses What we pay attention to Short–term memory Perception Long-term memory

Perception The interpretation of information received from your senses

How your brain interprets observation  perception SELECTIVE FILTERING: Our brains select what information is most likely important. FILLING IN THE GAPS: Our brains look for patterns & connections that may not be accurate. APPLIES PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE Since we are gathering information all the time largely without thinking, our brains cannot pay attention to everything at once. Our brains select what information is most likely important. In order to make sense of what we observe, our brains often enrich with detail what we see, taste, hear, smell, or feel  perception. After an event, we can believe things were part of the background even though they were not. Your previous knowledge may be a factor of you upbringing/ experiences you have had…. You brain makes ASSUMPTIONS….

What do you perceive?

What do you perceive????

What assumptions can you make about this scene? In Observation: Our brains apply previous knowledge to new situations. What assumptions can you make about this scene? Just an example of how your brain applies previous knowledge…. How might those assumptions be wrong?

Observations by Witnesses Observations are affected by: Their emotional states Whether they were alone, part of a group, or near others What type of and how much activity was going on around them When with others, your observations may be influenced (one of the major reasons why witnesses to a crime must be separated as soon as possible!). Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

EMOTIONAL STATE Nervous Relaxed Under what mental state do you think that you would make the best observations? Why? Happy Actually, when you are slightly nervous/ anxious – you tend to be more observant… Affect of adrenaline – your pupils dilate/ your peripheral vision actually improves… Sad

3. What type of and how much activity was going on around them. LEVEL OF ACTIVITY/ DISTRACTION 3. What type of and how much activity was going on around them.

Vary from person to person. Eyewitness Accounts Vary from person to person.

Eyewitness Accounts Crime-scene reports often vary, due to: Level of interest & Concentration Stress Amount and Kind of distractions present Prejudices & Personal beliefs Motives Any lapse in time since the event Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

Understanding our limitations helps us improve our observational skills.

How to be a Good Observer 1. Observe systematically— Start at one part of a crime scene and run your eyes slowly over every space. Slowly look at every part of a piece of evidence. We will discuss crime scene search patterns in Ch 2!!!! Remember to look at various vantage points (at ground level, dust & small objects may be more visible…) Do not assume that later on you will be able to remember everything.

How to be a Good Observer 2.Turn off filters— Do not pay attention to only what you think is important. On a crime scene you will not know what will turn out to be important. Make a conscious effort to pay attention to all the details in your surroundings.

How to be a Good Observer 3. Leave the FINAL interpretation of data until later— Do look for patterns and make connections. The more information obtained, the better the interpretations. Remember that eyewitness accounts and your own thinking can include prejudices.

How to be a Good Observer 4. Documentation, documentation, documentation— It is important to write down and photograph as much information as possible. Keep in mind that memory is faulty. Remember that our brains tend to automatically fill in gaps in our perceptions.

- Take pictures Write- - Make Drawings How can you document the evidence? - Take pictures Write- - Make Drawings

When making Observations at the crime scene: Study situations. 2. Find clues in ordinary details. 3. Work backwards from the evidence to what led up to the crime. 4. Be patient. 5. Practice.

Activity 1-2- timed 3 minute look at the crime and then pass out worksheet that is listed in InstructorActivities.

What time was it by the bank’s clock? What day of the week was it? What was the name of the outdoor café? On what street was the entrance to the restaurant? How many thieves are staging the holdup? Where they armed? How many bags of loot were they carrying? Was the thief in the street wearing a hat? How many people, besides you and the holdup men, were at the robbery? What were the initials of the man in the business suit?

What immediate danger was he in? What is the sex of the onlooker on the second floor? What store was next to the café? What was the shopper stealing? What was the license number of the car parked in front of the store? How do you know the car was illegally parked? What part of the car was being vandalized? What type of hat is the person wearing who is vandalizing the car? What offense was in progress against the female diner? What was the cost of the grapes?

How well did you do in remembering the details in this picture? What do the results of this activity say if anything, to you about the usefulness of eyewitness accounts in court? What factors influenced you observations? How could you improve your observation skills?

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTI How many “F”s are there? FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTI FIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS... Most people get 3, but the answer is 6!!!

CBS 60 MINUTES: EYEWITNESS http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5153451n http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5153459n Part 1: 12:46 Part 2: 13:01 Text: http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18560_162-4848039.html

The Innocence Project

- Started in 1992 - Using DNA to examine post- conviction cases. Founded by Barry Scheck & Peter Neufeld at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

The project has found that up to 87% of the wrongful convictions they discovered were due to faulty eyewitness identifications.

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS for Chapter 1 What is “forensic science” & what must a forensic examiner be able to do? What is OBSERVATION/ PERCEPTION? What changes to information occur in the brain? What are 4 ways to improve your observation skills? Are EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS reliable? What FACTORS influence eyewitness accounts? Objectives: Define “forensic science.” Describe what certain forensic specialists study. Describe the 4 responsibilities of a forensic scientist/ crime scene investigator. Define and differentiate between observation & perception. Describe how your brain changes your observations. Describe factors influencing eyewitness accounts Compare the reliability of eyewitness testimony with what actually happened Describe 4 ways to improve your observation skills

As a forensic scientist or a policeman you should be able to use: Analytical skills and deductive reasoning.