Forensic Science Definition: The application of scientific technology to supply accurate and objective information reflecting the events that occurred at a crime. What does a Forensic Scientist DO??? Analyze physical evidence Provide Expert Testimony Provide training in the recognition, collection and preservation of physical evidence

Complex Reasoning In Forensic Science Deductive Reasoning (reasoning from the general to the particular) and Inductive Reasoning (reasoning from detailed facts to general principles) Classifying Comparing and Contrasting Problem Solving Analyzing Perspectives Constructing Support Error Analysis Deduction--providing the proof that the situation is true. Induction-drawing conclusions/generalization from information; listing support for the conclusions Classifying--putting things into groups and determining the rules for the groups Comparing--how are things alike and how are they different Analyzing Perspectives--opinions about an issue and different ways to look at it Constructing support--support and limitations for a particular argument Error Analysis--determining what’s wrong and how it can be fixed

Crime Scene Vocabulary CRIME SCENE: Any physical location in which a crime has occurred or is suspected of having occurred. PRIMARY CRIME SCENE: The original location of a crime or accident. SECONDARY CRIME SCENE: An alternate location where additional evidence may be found. SUSPECT: Person thought to be capable of committing a crime. ACCOMPLICE: Person associated with someone suspected of committing a crime. ALIBI: Statement of where a suspect was at the time of a crime.

FACETS OF GUILT Means--the ability of have committed the crime Motive--the reason for committing the crime. (This doesn’t have to be proven or presented in a court of law, but its what everyone wants to know.) Opportunity--time or availability to have committed the crime.

FELONY A felony is punishable by at least 1 year and 1 day in prison and a significant fine. Felony offenses are listed as violent crimes by the F.B.I. when they involve force or the threat of force. Felony convictions also result in the loss of civil rights (voting, etc.) Examples: Armed robbery, Kidnapping, Rape, Murder, Terroristic Threats and Possession of Schedule II Narcotics

MISDEMEANORS The punishment for a misdemeanor is usually a fine and/or up to 1 year in county jail. An offender is charged with a gross misdemeanor for repeated offenses. Examples- DUI, Trespass, Vandalism and Disorderly Conduct

PRISON Prison is a place of confinement. Prison inmates have been tried and convicted of crimes and have received a specific sentence. Prisons are operated by the state or the federal government. There are approximately 100 federal prisons in the United States. Prisons have amenities such as recreational facilities.

JAIL A jail is a place of detention. A person that is in custody and awaiting trial will be held in jail. A person that has been convicted of a minor offense may serve their sentence in jail. Jails are run by counties. There are approximately 3,600 jails in the United States. Jails have few amenities.

U.S. CRIME STATISTICS The most common non-misdemeanor crime in the United States is property crime. Property crime consists of burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft. A property crime is committed every 3 seconds in the U.S. The average loss is $2100.00 and the stolen items are rarely recovered. An arrest is made in 19% of the cases.

U.S. CRIME STATISTICS Most crimes occur in July and August Murder and robbery are more common in December and January. Crime rates are higher in the first day of the month. Large urban areas have highest violent crime rate.

U.S. CRIME STATISTICS Males that are 18-35 years old commit the most crimes. Most murders are intraracial. In 2010, 86% of Caucasian murders were committed by Caucasians and 94% of African-American murders were committed by African-Americans.

U.S. CRIME STATISTICS On any given day, 2.3 million people are incarerated in America. Every year 656,000 inmates are released 2/3 of them end up in prison again When released prisoners may not associate with other felons, barred from certain professions, cannot receive most government assistance, etc.

Crime Scene Team A group of professionals investigators, each trained in a variety of special disciplines. Team Members First Police Officer on the scene Medics (if necessary) Investigator(s) Medical Examiner (if necessary) Photographer and/or Field Evidence Technician Lab Experts pathologist serologist DNA expert toxicologist forensic odontologist forensic anthropologist forensic psychologist forensic entomologist firearm examiner bomb and arson expert document and handwriting experts fingerprint expert

Medical Examiner vs The Coroner A medical examiner is a medical doctor, usually a pathologist and is appointed by the governing body of the area. ME can determine the cause and time of death. A coroner is an elected official who usually has no special medical training. In four states the coroner is a medical doctor.

The First Officer on the Scene Observe persons and vehicles near the scene as well as smells and sounds Note the time, address and weather conditions Conduct a brief walk through of the scene and determine if medical assistance is necessary Call for CSI Secure and Isolate the scene- must establish perimeter security especially to control the media

The First Officer on the Scene A Assess the crime scene D Detain witnesses A Arrest perpetrators P Protect the scene T Take notes

The Rest of the Team The first officer on the scene determines if any additional team members are needed. Emergency Medical Technicians or Paramedics are only called when a victim is still alive.

The investigator will… 1. Interview witnesses 2. Take statements 3. Verify the truth of the statements 4. Determine the motive, means and opportunity for each suspect 5. Seek additional information 6. Charge and arrest suspects 7. Testify in court.

The Photographer The first photographs should show an overview of the scene from many different perspectives. After the evidence technicians have placed markers next to the evidence, thephotographer will create a scale and photograph the evidence Photographer should take care to not contaminate evidence when using the ruler. Must keep a photo log

The Police Artist First, the police artist is responsible for the crime scene sketch. A rough sketch is drawn at the scene and the final sketch is created at the police station A photograph is a 2 dimensional view of the scene, but a sketch provides accurate measurements and distances between objects. The final sketch is drawn to scale using templates, etc.

The Note Taker The note taker should record everything that happens during the crime scene investigation. The notes should include the date, times and names for anyone entering or exiting the crime scene.

Evidence Technicians Sets up numbers called evidence markers at the pieces of evidence Has the necessary equipment Properly collects all evidence

Types of Evidence Class--common to a group of objects or persons Individual--can be identified with a particular person or source.

CHAIN OF CUSTODY who have had possession of an item of evidence. There must be a written record of all people who have had possession of an item of evidence. The evidence container must be marked for identification The collector’s initials should be placed on the seal If evidence is turned over to another person, the transfer must be recorded.