Forensics Chapter 1 R. Hamblin

Chapter 1: continued discussion Organization of a Crime Laboratory

Crime Laboratory Crime laboratories have been organized by agencies that foresaw their potential application to criminal investigation Since the 1960’s the number of crime labs increased due to the courts demanding secure scientifically evaluated evidence

TRADITION

MSP Crime Labs are stationed throughout the state…

Example: Sterling Heights Post Address and Contact Information 42800 Merrill Road Sterling Heights, MI 48314 Phone: 586-726-6709 Fax: 586-726-6661 Lab Director: F/Lt. Charles Morden Year Established:1988 Size: 16,000 sq.ft. Approximate Staffing: 27 Services Provided: Body Fluid Identification Controlled Substances Crime Scene Response Firearms & Tool marks Latent Prints Trace Evidence NOTE: Services not provided at at this location may be provided at another laboratory facility.

Laboratories Bridgeport Grand Rapids Grayling Lansing Marquette Metro Detroit Northville Sterling Heights

www.michigan.gov/msp Web Page includes: careers services law enforcement divisions Posts Media center and more!!

Each lab throughout the state specializes in different services than other labs

SERVICES OF THE CRIME LABORATORY Like the MSP, many state crime laboratories have been created solely for the purpose of processing evidence, currently most of their energy and funds are used to analyze drugs and DNA. In 1932, J. Edgar Hoover first established a national forensics laboratory to support all law enforcement in the U. S. The oldest American forensics laboratory is in Los Angeles, California, created in 1923 by August Volmer.

Basic Services Provided by Full-Service Crime Laboratories 1. Physical Science Unit - applies the principle and techniques of chemistry, physics and geology to the identification and comparison of crime-scene evidence

2. Biology Unit - identifies dried bloodstains and body fluids, compares hairs and fibers, identifies and compares botanical materials such as wood and plants, and performs DNA analysis.

3. Firearms Unit - examines firearms, discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells, and ammunition of all types

4. Document Examination Unit - analyzes handwriting, paper and printers of documents

5. Photography Unit – examines and records physical evidence at the crime scene and at suspect’s locations

OPTIONAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY FULL-SERVICE CRIME LABS 1. Toxicology Unit – examines body fluids and organs in order to determine the presence and identification of drugs and poisons

2. Latent Fingerprint Unit – processes and examines evidence for latent fingerprints, i.e., those found on surfaces

3. Polygraph Unit – uses lie detectors, an essential tool of the crime investigator rather than the forensic scientist

4. Voiceprint Analysis Unit – are involved in cases of telephone threats or tape-recorded messages. Investigators may be able to connect a voice to a particular suspect

5. Evidence-Collection Unit – incorporates evidence collection into a total forensic service

The Functions of the Forensic Scientist

1. Analysis of Physical Evidence – the forensic scientist must be skilled in applying the principles and techniques of the physical and natural sciences in order to identify the many types of evidence that may be recovered during crime investigations. The Frye vs United States court case established that a scientific technique must be “generally accepted” by the scientific community (p.12, Criminalistics)

2. Expert Witness – possesses a particular skill or has knowledge in a trade or profession that will aid the court in determining the truth

3. Specially Trained Evidence Collection Technique – training in proper recognition, collection, and preservation of evidence is required so that the forensic pathologist, such as the medical examiner or coroner, can determine the cause of death via an autopsy

OTHER FORENSICS SCIENCE SERVICES 1. Forensic Pathology 2. Forensic Anthropology 3. Forensic Entomology 4. Forensic Psychiatry 5. Forensic Odontology 6. Forensic Engineering

Forensic Analysis can also include organic and inorganic analytical techniques Organic analysis of unknown substances includes analytical techniques, such as: 1. Chromatography -

Organic analysis, cont. 2. UV-visible spectrophotometer -

Organic analysis… 3. Infrared Spectrophotometry

Organic analysis, cont. 4. Mass Spectrometry –

Inorganic Analytical Techniques Inorganic analysis includes techniques such as: Emission spectrum of elements, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, Neutron Activation Analysis, and X-Ray Diffraction Analysis

Inorganic analytic techniques 1. Emission spectrum of elements -

Inorganic Analytic techniques, cont. 2 Inorganic Analytic techniques, cont. 2. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

Inorganic Analytic techniques, cont. 3. Neutron Activation Analysis -

Inorganic Analytic techniques, cont. 4. X-Ray Diffraction Analysis -