FORENSIC SCIENCE INTRODUCTION

UNITS FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER Introduction Physical Evidence DNA Documentation Biology Introduction Prints Toxicology Trace Evidence Serology

Forensic Science Application of science to those criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system. The business of providing timely, accurate, and thorough information to all levels of decisions makers in our criminal justice system.

CORPUS DELICTI “Body of the Crime” You must prove: that a crime occurred that the person charged with the crime was responsible for the crime Top Reasons for Committing a Crime Money Revenge Sex Emotion--love, hate, anger Source of Evidence Body Primary and/or Secondary Crime Scene Suspect(s)

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.

Murder Charges 1st Degree Murder--premeditated 2nd Degree Murder--killed intentionally, but not thought out as much ahead of time Voluntary Manslaughter--usually involves sudden passion (fear, rage, anger, terror) Involuntary Manslaughter (criminally negligent homicide)--killed someone, but unintentionally

Evidence Characteristics Class--common to a group of objects or persons Individual--can be identified with a particular person or source. ABO Blood Typing Blood DNA Typing

Crime Scene Team

First Officer ADAPT

Medical Examiner’s Officer sent to the scene Livor mortis Rigor mortis Algor mortis

Medical Examiner’s Responsibilities Identify the deceased Establish the time and date of death Determine a medical cause of death--the injury or disease that resulted in the person dying Determine the mechanism of death--the physiological reason that the person died Classify the manner of death Natural Accidental Suicide Homicide Undetermined Notify the next of kin

Crime Scene Sketch c A. Couch/sofa B. Female body C. Knife Date: August 14, 2001 Criminalist: Ann Wilson Time: 11:35 Location: 4358 Rockledge Dr St. Louis, Mo. A. Couch/sofa B. Female body C. Knife D. Over turned Lamp E. Chairs F. Table G. Fireplace E c D G A E E E F E

Complex Reasoning In Forensic Science Deductive and Inductive Reasoning 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

Logic Logic: A system of reasoning that leads to inferences Inference: drawing conclusions based on known facts, collection of data and the relationships between that data Conclusion

EYEWITNESS Crazy Criminal Suspect Falters Over Account of Robberies Robbery suspect Frank Margary can’t seem to keep his mouth shut. In some subtle statements, he has confessed to a series of robberies. When questioned about a November robbery at Lakeside Deli and Mini Market, he told detectives: “There’s no way the clerk could identify me, I had my hat down over my eyes.”

“HOW PLUS WHY EQUALS WHO” Remember: “HOW PLUS WHY EQUALS WHO” --John Douglas, former FBI profiler Keep this in mind as you set up your crime scene and work up your lab.

History-- Repeating Itself? 1840 William Henry Harrison--died in office 1860 Abraham Lincoln--assassinated 1880 James A. Garfield--assassinated 1900 William McKinley--assassinated 1920 Warren G. Harding--died in office 1940 Franklin D. Roosevelt--died in office 1960 John F. Kennedy--assassinated 1980 Ronald Reagan--survived assassination attempt 2000 George Bush--KIND OF SCARY?

Evidence Technician Will set up numbers at the 10 pieces of evidence One piece of evidence must come from each of the units in this semester. Will help the other team collect evidence Have the necessary equipment Forceps Bags--paper and plastic Envelopes Jars and Q-tips Properly collect all evidence