1-3 Functions of a Forensic Scientist Unit One: Introduction to Forensic Science

Forensic Scientist A forensic scientist must be skilled at applying the principles and techniques during during a criminal investigation. physical and natural sciences analyzing evidence that may be recovered

Scientific Evidence The cases Frye v. United States and Dulbert v. Merrill Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Set guidelines for determining the admissibility of scientific evidence in a courtroom.

Frye v. United States This standard comes from Frye v. United States, a case discussing the admissibility of systolic blood pressure deception test as evidence. The Court in Frye held that expert testimony must be based on scientific methods that are sufficiently established and accepted.

Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The plaintiffs successfully argued that after Congress adopted the Federal Rules of Evidence in 1975, Frye was no longer the governing standard for admitting scientific evidence in trials held in federal court. 

Expert Witness An expert witness evaluates evidence based on specialized training and experience.

Forensic Scientists Training Forensic scientists participate in training law- enforcement personnel in the proper recognition, collection, and preservation of physical evidence.