application of science to law

 Pathology  Fingerprints  Toxicology  Entomology  Anthropology  Botany  Odontology

 Serology  DNA electrophoresis  Document examination  Impression evidence  Toolmarks  Tire prints  Shoe prints  Computer analysis  Arson

 Profiling  Environmental forensics  Wildlife forensics  Firearms/Ballistics  Trace Evidence  Hair  Fibers  Soil  glass  Engineering

 Photography  Polygraphs  Audio specialists/Voiceprints  Video analysis  Psychiatry  Competence  State of mind  profiling

private Police coroner/medical examiner state university Secret Service FBI ATF

1. Drugs 2. DNA

 Judge determines who is an expert:  A) Has the expert’s scientific method been tested?  B) Has the expert’s method been the subject of peer review and testing  C) What is the actual or potential rate of error?  D) do other scientists generally accept the expert’s methods?

 morning sickness drug caused birth defects  plantiffs had many experts  court ruled against the experts saying the methods were not generally accepted within the profession

 Allowed to offer an opinion during testimony  1923 Frye Standard (general acceptance)  1993 Daubert Standard

When two objects come into contact, material is exchanged.