Forensic Scientist By: Nicole McDowell

What is Forensic Science? A scientific method of gathering and examining evidence Evidence may include: fingerprints, blood, hair, and bullets.

Duties and Responsibilities on the scene Team Leader -Assume control -Determine search patterns Photographer -Photograph entire area before being entered -Prepare photographic sketch Evidence Recorder -Describe evidence and its location -Maintain evidence log

Duties and Responsibilities in the lab Analyzing Evidence -DNA -Analyzing controlled substances -Fingerprints Firearms Identification -Analyzing bullets Document Examination -Forgery -Document dating

Popular Forensic Analysis Equipment - Microscopes -All types -Evidence Drying Cabinets -To preserve and ensure proper treatment of key evidence -Latent Print Development Chambers -Develops latent fingerprints by fuming

Development and History of Forensic Science

Ancient Times China: -Chinese records from the 221-206 BC Qin Dynasty include details about using handprints as evidence during burglary investigations.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1854-1930) -Sci-fi author in late 1800’s -Popularized scientific crime-detection methods through his fictional character ‘Sherlock Holmes’.

Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914) -“Father of Anthropometry” -Developed the Bertillon system and named it after himself

Bertillon System A system formerly used for identifying persons by means of a detailed record of body measurements, physical description, and photographs. The Bertillon system was superseded by the more accurate procedure of fingerprinting.

Leone Lattes (1887-1954) -“Father of Bloodstain Identification” - He developed a procedure for determining the blood type (A, B, AB, or O) of a dried blood stain.

Calvin Goddard (1891-1955) -Father of Ballistics” -Developed the technique to examine bullets, using a comparison microscope, to determine whether or not a particular gun fired the bullets.

Education and Training of Forensic Science

Education -Bachelor degree in Forensic Science -Must have 24 academic units in Chemistry or Biology -Would most benefit with a major with extensive course work in math

Training -Specialized training in firearms, toxicology, latent fingerprints, drug analysis, and DNA analysis -Training ranges from 6 months to 2 years -Trainees also learn to give a courtroom testimony and write reports -Some receive police training

Certification -A certification is offered by American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) *To qualify, must have a bachelor degree in a natural science and must pass a 3 hour comprehensive exam

Popular Media of Forensic Science

TV Shows -CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) 2000-Present -Law & Order 1990-2010 - NCIS 2003-Present Scene from CSI: Miami (2008)

Scene from Murder by Numbers Movies - The Bone Collector (1999) -Murder by Numbers (2002) -Pathology (2007) -Code 33 (2005) Scene from Murder by Numbers

The CSI Effect Definition: A belief held primary among law enforcement personnel and prosecutors that forensic science TV dramas influence American jurors to expect more forensic evidence in order to convict defendants of crimes. Pros: -TV shows provide general knowledge about forensic science -Sparks interest in the forensic science field Cons: -Jurors are hesitant to convict defendants based off unrealistic expectations

Literature of Forensic Science

Popular Books -The Casebook of Forensic Detection -Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science By: Robert Saferstein -The Casebook of Forensic Detection By: Colin Evans -Forensic Pathology II (Textbook) By: Vincent Dimaio

Sources "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Biography Page 1." Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Biography Page 1. Oxford Web Applications, 2000. Web. 08 Jan. 2014. <http://www.sherlockholmesonline.org/Biograp hy/index.htm> "Education Career Articles." Education Career Articles RSS. ECA, 21 Jan. 2013. Web. 09 Jan. 2014. <http://educationcareerarticles.com/education- articles/majors-overview/forensic-science- technician-training-and-education- requirements/> "Forensic Source Equipment." Mystaire™ Misonix® Cyanoacrylate Fuming Chamber. Safariland, 2013. Web. 09 Jan. 2014. <http://www.forensicssource.com/ProductDetail. aspx?ProductName=Misonix-Cyanoacrylate- Fuming-Chamber> Roberts, Michael. "CSI Effect." About.com Government Careers. N.p., 2013. Web. 09 Jan. 2014. <http://govcareers.about.com/od/Glossary/g/Csi- Effect.htm>