Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Introduction Objectives 1. Define forensic science and list the major disciplines it encompasses 2. Recognize the major contributors to the development of forensic science 3. Account for the rapid growth of forensic laboratories in the past forty years 4. Describe the services of a typical comprehensive crime laboratory in the criminal justice system 5. Compare and contrast the Frye and Daubert decisions relating to the admissibility of scientific evidence in the courtroom 6. Explain the role and responsibilities of the expert witness 7. List the specialized forensic services, aside from the crime laboratory, that are generally available to law enforcement personnel

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Forensic Science application of science to the criminal and civil laws enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Criminalistics analyze, compare, identify, and interpret physical evidence identify evidence, and link suspect, victim, and crime scene through evidence

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Engineering Science failure analysis, accident reconstruction, causes and origins of fires or explosions, evaluation of construction or manufacturing, maintenance procedures, and environment definition

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 General newly emerging forensic scientific specialties, such as computer investigation, artist/sculptors, speech scientists, ballistics analysts, blood splatter analysis, etc.

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Jurisprudence assist courts in resolving questions of fact in criminal and civil trials know laws that governs the admissibility of forensic evidence

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Forensic Odontology use of dental science to identify unknown human remains and bite marks, using both physical and biological dental evidence

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Pathology/Biology study of disease through autopsy, investigate circumstances surrounding death

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Forensic Anthropology identify individuals killed in disasters such as plane crashes, explosions, fires, and other tragedies resulting in the loss of life and mutilation of bodies

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Psychiatry and Behavioral Science competence (to stand trial, to testify, to waive representation, or to be executed), assessment of mental illness (diminished responsibility or innocence by reason of mental illness or defect

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Questioned Documents proves the facts concerning documents and related material

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Toxicology study of harmful effects of chemicals or drugs on living systems

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Early Forensic Science Yi Yu Ji Yi Yu Ji (c300) burnt pig C. Scheele C. Scheele (1775) test to detect arsenic V. Ross V. Ross (1806) test to detect arsenic in stomach walls M. Orfila M. Orfila (1814) father of forensic toxicology H. Bayard H. Bayard (1839) microscopic detection of sperm Various Tests Various Tests hemoglobin (1853) presumptive blood (1863)

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Late Nineteenth Century A. Bertillon A. Bertillon (1879) anthropometry anthropometry series of body measurements to ID individuals F. Galton F. Galton (1892) statistical proof for fingerprints as ID H. Gross H. Gross (1893) detailed future expectations in field

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Twentieth Century K. Landsteiner K. Landsteiner (1901) ABO blood typing L. Lattes L. Lattes (1915) blood typing from dried bloodstains E. Locard E. Locard (1910) first police laboratory Locard’s Exchange Principle Locard’s Exchange Principle two objects in contact cross-transfer materials C. Goddard C. Goddard comparison microscopy in ballistics A. Jeffreys A. Jeffreys (1984) DNA typing

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Crime Labs USA USA lack of national or regional coordination 350 different labs FBI Laboratory FBI Laboratory Quantico, Va. set up in 1932 by J Edgar Hoover trains locals

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Basic Crime Lab Units Physical Science Unit chemistry, physics, earth science Tests drugs, glass, paint, explosives, soils Biology Unit biology, biochemistry DNA profiling, blood, hair, fiber, plant materials Firearms Unit chemistry, physics Firearms, discharged bullets and ammo, discharge residues Document Examination chemistry, psychometrics handwriting analysis, paper, ink Photography Unit physics, chemistry digital imaging, infrared, x-ray, ultraviolet photography

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Optional Crime Lab Units T T oooo xxxx iiii cccc oooo llll oooo gggg yyyy Unit chemistry, biology test fluids/organs for drugs, poison usually in Medical Examiner’s Office Latent Fingerprint Unit chemistry Polygraph Unit physics, biology usually used during interrogation Voiceprint Analysis physics use of sound spectrograph Evidence-Collection Unit personnel specially trained to collect and preserve crime scene evidence

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Other Forensic Sciences Forensic Pathology Forensic Anthropology Forensic Entomology Forensic Psychiatry Forensic Odontology Forensic Engineering

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Forensic Pathology investigate sudden, unnatural, unexplained, or violent deaths forensic pathologists are MD’s that work as coroners or medical examiners a a uuuu tttt oooo pppp ssss yyyy – detailed examination to determine the cause of death Autopsy Room Virtual autopsy

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Forensic Anthropology identification and examination of human skeletal remains may reveal: approximate age race sex origin

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Forensic Entomology study of insects and their relationship to a crime scene insects infest human to lay eggs larvae hatch and feed on tissues used to approximate time of exposure

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Forensic Psychiatry psychiatric specialty determine competency to stand trial evaluate behavior disorders examine behavior patterns to build criminal behavioral profile

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Forensic Odontology identification of unidentifiable remains using dental records characteristics of teeth tooth alignment mouth structure bite mark analysis (Marv Alpert)

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Forensic Engineering concerned with failure analysis, accident reconstruction, causes and origins of fires and explosions

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Forensic Computer Digital Analysis involves identifying, collecting, preserving, and examining information on computers and other digital devices (cell phones, PDAs etc.)

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Forensic Scientist applies scientific method to analyze evidence recovered during a criminal investigation. provide expert court testimony. Expert Witness Expert Witness individual whom the court determines possesses knowledge relevant to the trial that is not expected of the average person evaluate evidence based on specialized training and experience

Updated June 2007Created by C. Ippolito June 2007 Admissibility of Evidence Frye Standard Frye Standard The Frye v. United States The Frye v. United States set guidelines for the admissibility of scientific evidence into the courtroom. the evidence must be “generally accepted” by the scientific community. Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical judges ultimately responsible as “gatekeepers” for the admissibility Daubert Criteria technique or theory can be tested. technique subject to peer review and publication. technique’s potential rate of error. existence and maintenance of standards. widespread acceptance within a relevant scientific community.