Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

Work with a partner to do the following: What do you believe was the most important evidence in convicting the suspect? List your top 3: What tools did the investigators use to gather evidence? What skills do you feel the investigators used? Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Observation Skills Introduction The forensic examiner must be able to find—identify the evidence document—record the evidence interpret—accurately determine the significance of the evidence Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

Our brains can filter out information. What Is Observation? Our brains can filter out information. Point out some of the details in this photo. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

How information is processed in the brain What Is Observation? How information is processed in the brain Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

What Is Observation? Our brains fill in gaps in our perception In order to make sense of what we perceive, our brains often enrich with detail what we see, taste, hear, smell, or feel After an event, we can believe things were part of the background even though they were not Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

What Is Observation? Our brains apply previous knowledge to new situations What assumptions can you make about this scene? How might those assumptions be wrong? Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

We will now test your observation skills Get out a piece of scrap paper Go to slide 23 for activity

Observations by Witnesses Observations are affected by: Their emotional states Whether they were alone, part of a group, or near others What type of and how much activity was going on around them Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

Eyewitness Accounts Crime-scene reports often vary, due to: level of interest stress concentration amount and kind of distractions present prejudices personal beliefs motives any lapse in time since the event Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

The Case of Jennifer Thompson and Ronald Cotton What can happen? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-SBTRLoPuo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtelV9lmzQc Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

The Innocence Project Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Beginning in 1992, used DNA to examine post-conviction cases Faulty eyewitness identifications accounted for up to 87% of the wrongful convictions http://www.innocenceproject.org/know/conviction/ Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

The Innocence Project Eyewitness errors include: Mistakes in describing the age and facial distinctiveness of the suspect These mistakes can arise from disguised appearances brief sightings of the perpetrator cross-gender and cross-racial bias changes in viewing environment (from c.s. to police lineup) Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

When evaluating eyewitness testimony, the investigator must: Discriminate between FACT and OPINION Piece together the events preceding the crime into a LOGICAL pattern Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

How to be a Good Observer Observe systematically Start at one part of a crime scene and run your eyes slowly over every space Look carefully at details of each piece of evidence Do not assume you will remember everything Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

How to be a Good Observer Turn off filters Consciously pay attention to all details Do not pay attention to just what you think is important All details are potentially important Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

How to be a Good Observer Collect Information first, interpret data later Look for patterns and make connections More information yields better interpretations Prejudices exist everywhere— eyewitness accounts your own thinking processes Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

Activity 1-2 You’re the Eyewitness We will do this in another powerpoint Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

How to be a Good Observer Documentation, Documentation, Documentation Write down and photograph as much information as possible Be aware that memory is faulty Remember that our brains tend to fill in gaps in our perceptions Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

Observations in Forensics Study situations Find clues in ordinary details Work backwards from the evidence to what led up to the crime Be patient Practice Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary . . . . The environment and our natural sensory filters affect our ability to observe Eyewitness reports can be correct, faulty, or a little of both Acquiring good observation skills takes practice and training Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary Forensic scientists: Find and Document Evidence Evaluate and Interpret Provide expert testimony to courts Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

Observational Skills ACTIVITY 1-1 LEARNING TO SEE Directions: Study Photograph 1 for 15 seconds. When instructed by your teacher, answer as many of the questions as you can. You will have three minutes. Repeat the process for Photographs 2 and 3.

Photograph #1

At what location was the photograph taken? How many cars are pictured? What color are the cars? What types of offices are located in the building? How many small trees are in the picture? The photograph was taken New York State during which season? How many people are in the photograph?

At what location was the photograph taken? Glenville Municipal Center How many cars are pictured? 2 What color are the cars? Tan & gray What types of offices are located in the building? Town, police and court offices How many small trees are in the picture? 2 The photograph was taken New York State during which season? Spring or summer How many people are in the photograph? None

Photograph #2

What is pictured in Photograph #2? Describe the shape of the object pictured? What are the colors of the object? What color edged the top of the object? Upon what is the object displayed? Describe or sketch the design on the object? What is the approximate size of the object?

What is pictured in Photograph #2? Urn or pot Describe the shape of the object pictured? Like a flowerpot What are the colors of the object? Red, green, tan, blue, white brown What color edged the top of the object? Blue Upon what is the object displayed? A wooden chair Describe or sketch the design on the object? See above What is the approximate size of the object? ~12”-14” wide, ~ 16” tall

Photograph #3

How many people are in Photograph #3? What is the sex of the person in the picture? What is the approximate age of the person in the photograph? What color is the person’s hair? Does the person have long hair or short hair? Does the person have any distinguishing features? Glasses? Can you describe the person’s clothing? Is the person wearing any jewelry? If so, describe it. Can you describe where the picture was taken? Based on evidence in the photograph, can you form a hypothesis about the person’s occupation? Is it possible to identify the interests of the person based upon evidence in the room? Do you think it is easier to answer questions about a photograph if a person is in the picture?

How many people are in Photograph #3? One What is the sex of the person in the picture? Female What is the approximate age of the person in the photograph? 55 What color is the person’s hair? Blonde (dyed) Does the person have long hair or short hair? Short Does the person have any distinguishing features? Glasses? Yes Can you describe the person’s clothing? See photograph above for description Is the person wearing any jewelry? If so, describe it. Gold necklace and earings Can you describe where the picture was taken? School room or office Based on evidence in the photograph, can you form a hypothesis about the person’s occupation? Teacher Is it possible to identify the interests of the person based upon evidence in the room? Forensics and biology books imply this might be a science teacher Do you think it is easier to answer questions about a photograph if a person is in the picture? Yes because we can recognize familiar surroundings and situations.

Discussion Questions 1. Did everyone answer all of the questions correctly? 2. If everyone viewed the same photograph, what are some possible reasons why answers differed.

Discussion Questions 3. Do you think it is easier to answer questions about a photograph if a person is in the picture? Why or why not? 4. Did your ability to see more detail and answer more questions correctly improve with practice?

Summary discussion questions Do you consider yourself a good observer? Explain your answer.