Chapter 1- Introduction To Forensic science Forensics & Criminal Investigation

Objectives Define and identify the purpose of Forensic Science. Understand how Forensics services the Law. Explain the development of the Forensic Science field. Determine the value of science in criminal investigation. Describe the areas of specialty in forensic science.

What is forensics? Forensic Science a science applied to Legal problems Forensic meaning “having to do with the law” or “argumentation and debating” Known as a broad are of science Referred also as Criminalistics (activities of full service forensic laboratory) Forensics means ”debating” Forensic Science can effectively be used in criminal cases when supported by the law

Value of Forensic Science It is a science that demonstrates there’s a use for physical evidence and physical evidence analysis in our legal system. Elements of a Crime: Understanding that a crime has actually been committed is based on the concept of corpus delicti- a Latin word that mean facts are needed to prove a particular crime MUST be proven by a prosecutor “beyond a reasonable doubt” Examples: cases of illegal drug possession, drunk driving, or sexual assault

physical evidence Blood Hair Glass Clothing Human remains Impression evidence Illegal drugs Fingerprints Paint Ballistics Fibers Insects Wounds Questioned documents Fracture matches DNA Bodily fluids

How to determine value An investigation can validate the use forensic science by: Support or disprove statements of witnesses, victims, or suspects - a trial process depends on the trier of fact (person/persons evaluating) i.e.: judge, jury or administrative officer 2. Identify substances or materials through scientific examination 3. Reliable identification of individuals (biological evidence and fingerprints) 4. Provide investigative leads i.e.: CODIS, AFIS, and NIBIN databases 5. Establish links or exclusions for crime (compare questioned and known)

Forensic Science & Scientific method applied to investigation The scientific method has 3 significant applications to forensic science and to investigation: It builds a foundation of knowledge using science Forms the basis for event reconstruction “crime scene construction” Provides a logical and productive basis for investigation a. forming a theory (hypothesis) about what may have happened b. developing an accepted explanation (natural law) which is well tested Relying on a multistep process to approach problems, conduct experimental inquiry, and validate conclusions

History of forensic science Early work on forensic medicine published in China 1250 AD Formal beginnings of modern forensic science in the Western world date between 1800 and 1850 Scientific approach begins with the science of chemistry and medicine Forensic specialties began once European doctors established medicolegal institutes (reference forensic or legal medicine) a. investigations of death, identification of poisons, blood and semen b. dissection of bodies, use of microscopes, anatomy & body functions Derived from the study of medicine

Contributors of forensic science Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) The “Father of forensics” A physician in England Developed techniques to investigate crime scenes involving: 1. serology 3. firearm identification 2. fingerprinting 4. questioned document examination Creator of the character Sherlock Holmes and the mystery novels

Contributors of forensic science Mathieu J. B. Orfila (1787-1853) Born in Majorca, Spain A physician and best-known medicolegallist of France The “father of forensic toxicology”

Contributors cont’d. Hans Gross (1847-1915) Influenced practice of criminal investigation Published the book, Criminal Investigation: Application of Scientific Techniques in 1893 A magistrate (role of a judge and primary investigator in Europe) and law professor in Austria Coined the term, criminalistics First to recognize the value of physical evidence in investigations

Contributors cont’d. Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914) Developed human identification, “forensic anthropometry” Method based on body measurements 1st used by metropolitan police agency in Paris In the U.S. during the early 20th century was discredited -case of Will West and William West in Leavenworth, Kansas Paved the way for fingerprint identification

Contributors cont’d. Francis Galton, William Herschel, and Edward Henry Physicians in England studying how to apply fingerprints to identification Fingerprints become new method to identify people Basis for the AFIS database Galton Herschel Henry

Forensic science labs established Emerged during the 20th century initially in Europe from medicolegal institutes Branching from coroner and medical examiners’ systems in the United States 1909, professor R.A. Reiss starts forensic photography lab at University of Lausanne in Switzerland 1910, physician Edmond Locard starts first crime lab in France and Lyon -establishes what is known as the Locard’s Exchange Principle 1928, police chief August Vollmer of Berkeley, California starts the United States’ first crime lab of the Los Angeles Police Department Military physician Calvin Goddard establishes ballistics -consultant for St. Valentine’s Day massacre of Chicago

Labs of Professional organizations FBI establishes lab in 1932 and New York City Police starts lab in 1934 Between 1970 and 1980 crime increases rapidly and the “Safe Streets Act of 1968” forces the following: 1. formation of government labs 2. establish accreditation (predefined standards) 3. creation of the “DNA Identification Act of 1994” by congress - standards set by the TWG and SWG 4. develop certification programs Resulting in over 300 governmental crime labs in the U.S.

Forensic science specialties

Doctors of Medicine Forensic Pathologist study the nature of disease and its causes a. coroner (an elected official) i.e. cause of death or manner of death b. medical examiner (medical doctor who determines cause of death) i.e. antemortem and postmortem Determines the circumstances surrounding death 1. homicide 4. asphyxiation 2. suicide 5. poisoning 3. gunshot wound 6. undetermined

Specialties cont’d. Forensic Entomology Study devoted to understanding the life cycles of insects The blowfly is the first eyewitness of a crime involving human remains Use life cycles of insects to estimate time of death

Specialties cont’d. Forensic Odontology A forensic dentist Identifies human remains changed by decomposition, fire, and etc. Forensic Anthropology Examines human skeletal remains or animal remains Can identify age, ethnicity, race, gender and reconstruction “forensic sculpture” Forensics Toxicology Studies and identifies the effects of poisons, toxins and drugs in the body Relies on analytical chemistry techniques, biology, physiology, pharmacology

Areas of Specialty The following areas of profession involve evaluating offenders of civil and criminal law: 1. Forensic Psychiatry Individuals who are medical doctors 2. Forensic Psychology Holds a Ph.D. in psychology and have obtained a license for clinical practice Capable of providing “profiles” for criminal cases *Modus operandi (MO) refer to the habits of a criminal i.e. Criminal Minds

Other areas Forensic Engineering Forensic Computer Science Forensic/Investigative Technologies Criminalistics Evidence Recognition (classification and identification) Recognition of Individualization Reconstruction

Case studies State v. Richard Crafts case in November 1986, the “Wood Chipper Case” Frye v. United States case Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical case, Inc. of 1993 State v. Jascalevich in “Detection of Curare in a Murder Trial”