FORENSICS
Name these popular forensic investigators ANSWERS - Dick Tracey, Dexter, The Flash, Sherlock Holmes, Griffin (CSI), Dr. Temperance Brennan (Bones)
FORENSICS Means “in relation to the law or courts” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_58XsN6XJWQ&feature=related
Three Basic Types Loop Arch Whorl Sixty to 65 percent of the population have loops Loop Arch Whorl about 5 percent have arches 30 to 35 percent have whorls
Fingerprints Are the best single method of individualization available Latent prints Patent prints (invisible or unseen) (visible) What animal has fingerprints which are virtually indistinguishable from those of humans?
Answer: A Koala! Get picture of Koala hand print.
Do you know…
What common household item may be used to get fingerprints from a bag (using the vapours from this product?
Krazy Glue!
Can you change your fingerprints? Notorious criminal John Dillinger tried to burn off his fingerprints with acid. It didn’t work – the print grew back the same. Criminal Roscoe Pitts eliminated the prints of his fingertips by having them sewn from skin grafts in his chest. He was later identified from prints of his palm, left at the scene of a crime!
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) DNA is the same for identical twins The odds of anyone else sharing the same DNA profile are over one in a trillion! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pskdKTbrCQ
Skin Largest organ of the human body Replaces itself approximately every 30 days Did you know: 96% of household dust is dead skin cells!
Locard Principle Every contact leaves a trace You take something away and leave something behind every place you go, including a crime scene "Everywhere you go, you take something with you, and you leave something behind" is the premise behind Locard's theory. Locard – director of first crime laboratory, located in France.
FORENSICS Day 2 Could a forbidden DNA technique track Taylor's killer? Case: Taylor Van Diest – 18 year old murdered on Halloween (2011) in Kelowna, BC. Using DNA profiling to help track down the unknown offender. Could a forbidden DNA technique track Taylor's killer?
Evidence Trace evidence Transient evidence Hold back evidence -Hair, fibres -Short-lived evidence (odours, imprints & indentations) - Information only the police and offender would know Transient evidence are: odors: perfume, gasoline, urine, explosives, burning cigarettes or cigar smoke. imprints & indentations: footprints, teeth marks in perishables, tire marks on certain areas, and markings
Opinion Evidence Only someone deemed an expert may give an opinion in court about something “This is what I believe....based on the evidence found...I believe this is what occurred” (done in a voir dire, where jury leaves courtroom) Voir dire (deer) – safeguard so jury isn’t biased.
Coroner Is called to declare people dead Has the legal right to take possession of a body to investigate cause of death If death occurred from natural causes, a death certificate is issued $250/case (2003 statistic)
Coroner’s Inquest An inquest is usually held if death results from Violence Negligence Misconduct Malpractice A disease or sickness not treated by a doctor Misadventure or dangerous practices Suspicious circumstances during pregnancy
Coroner’s Inquest Involves coroner and 5 jurors chosen by coroner During inquest, evidence is presented and witnesses testify to determine when, where, how, and by what means a person died Jury makes recommendations to help prevent similar deaths in the future Recommendations are not binding Montreal Example (Coroner’s Inquest into fire – 2011) Ashley Smith inquest – omitted (too controversial/graphic) Coroner's inquest into fatal fire begins
Colonel Russell Williams Case Voiceprints, lip prints, ear prints, glove prints, and DNA profiling provide additional or alternative methods for recognition. Russell Williams video
Top 10 Unsolved Crimes http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1867198_1867170_1867291,00.html