What is truth?

Forensic Science Application of science to the criminal and civil laws. This course will focus on aspects related to chemistry, biology, physics, geology, and computer technology

American Academy of Forensic Science Criminalistics Engineering Science General Jurisprudence Odontology Pathology/Biology Physical Anthropology Psychiatry and Behavioral Science Questioned Documents Toxicology

Beginnings Earliest record of applying forensics to solve criminal cases comes from 3rd century China Advances in science during the early to mid 1800s led to greater development of forensic science Forensic Toxicology Microscope Blood Tests Photography

Applying Scientific Principles to Crime Alphonse Bertillon Developed the first system of personal identification – Bertillon's System a.k.a. anthropometry involved taking a series of body measurements to distinguish one individual from another

More Developments In the early 1900s fingerprinting replaced Bertillon's system Best known figure in 19th century forensics – Sherlock Holmes Applied the newly developing principles of serology, fingerprinting, firearms identification, and questioned-documents examination

Modern Scientific Advances Computer technology and sophisticated instruments have advanced the analysis of evidence relating to a crime Significant modern advances Discovery and refinement of DNA typing Establishment of computerized databases Fingerprints, Ballistics, DNA

Influence Francis Galton (1892)– developed method for classifying fingerprints Hans Gross (1893)- first described application of science to crime (book) Leone Lattes (1915)- developed blood group testing for dried samples Albert Osborn – applied principles of document examination Edmond Locard – started 1st police lab

Influence Calvin Goddard – used microscopy to examine firearm/bullet comparisons Mathieu Orfila (1814) – father of forensic toxicology Alec Jefferys (1984)- developed 1st DNA profiling test **Locard’s Exchange Principle**: when two objects come into contact, there is a cross-transfer of materials (example)

Crime Laboratories Oldest forensic lab in the US - LA Police Dept, created in 1923 FBI organized a national laboratory that offers forensic services to all law enforcement agencies in the country The US has no national system of forensic laboratories

Crime Laboratories Size and diversity of crime labs make it impossible to select a “typical” one operate as part of a police dept. operate under direction of a prosecutor or DA some work with the ME or coroner associated with universities completely separate entities

Four Major Federal Crime Labs FBI – largest crime lab in the world DEA – analyzes drugs ATF – analyzes alcohol and documents relating to alcohol; firearm law enforcement, examine weapons, explosive devices, and related evidence to gun control USPS – concerned with criminal investigations related to the postal service

Demand for Forensics Major growth since 1960’s: Increase in crime rate Requirement to inform suspect of rights; eliminated confessions All seized drugs must be sent and analyzed at lab before trial DNA profiling ~ huge backlog

Crime Lab Services Basic Services Optional Services Physical Science Unit Biology Unit Firearms Unit Document Examination Unit Photography Unit Optional Services Toxicology Unit Latent Fingerprint Unit Polygraph Unit Voiceprint Analysis Unit Crime-scene Investigation Unit

Functions of a Forensic Scientist Laboratory work – analyzing the evidence Courtroom Testimony – presenting the evidence Training – teaching agencies how to identify and collect evidence

Admissibility of Evidence Testimony is based upon sufficient facts or data Testimony is the product of reliable principles and methods Witness has applied the principles and methods reliably to the facts of the case

Providing Expert Testimony Expert Witness – court determines one to possess a particular skill or knowledge beyond that of average layperson and will aid court in determining the truth Knowledge may be acquired through experience, training, education, or a combination Important: demeanor and ability to explain data and conclusions clearly, concisely, and logically