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What is Forensic Science? Forensic Science -The study and application of science to matters of law. Criminalistics – the examination of physical evidence for legal purposes Forensic Science and Criminalistics are used interchangeably.

Criminology Includes the psychological angle: studying the crime scene for motive, traits, and behavior that will help to interpret the evidence

Why do we look to science for assistance in our legal system? Increasing Crime Rates New or Changed Laws New Crimes New Weapons Response to Public Concerns Response to Law Enforcement Concerns

What are some goals of a Forensic Scientist? To collect, test, and preserve evidence. To determine the cause, location, and time of death To provide timely, accurate, and thorough information to all levels of decision makers in our criminal justice system.

History and development of Forensic Science “Forensic” comes from the Latin word “forensis” meaning forum. During the time of the Romans, a criminal charge meant presenting the case before the public.

History and development of Forensic Science Both the person accused of the crime & the accuser would give speeches based on their side of the story. The individual with the best argumentation would determine the outcome of the case.

History and development of Forensic Science Sir Arthur Conan Doyle popularize crime detection methods through his fictional character Sherlock Holmes

History and development of Forensic Science The character, Sherlock Holmes, first applied these principles in Doyle’s novels: Serology (testing) Fingerprinting Firearm Identification Questioned-document examination

History and development of Forensic Science The following is just a brief list of those who have made the earliest contributions to the disciplines that now make up Forensic Science.

Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914) “Father of Anthropometry” “Father of Personal Identification” Developed a system to distinguish one individual person from another based on certain body measurements.

ANTHROPOMETRY The science of anthropometry: a systematic method of taking body measurements Anthropometry was eventually replaced by fingerprinting in the early 1900s

Francis Galton (1822-1911) “Father of Fingerprinting” Developed fingerprinting as a way to uniquely identify individuals. Studied fingerprints and developed a method of classifying them Proved the uniqueness of individual fingerprints and their use for personal identification His ideas describe the principles used today in fingerprinting

Hans Gross (1847-1915) “Father of Criminal Investigations” Wrote the book on applying all the different science disciplines to the field of criminal investigation leading to the concept of scientific crime detection.

Leone Lattes (1887-1954) “Father of Bloodstain Identification” He developed the first workable procedure for determining the blood type (A, B, AB, or O) of a dried blood stain. Developed the concept that blood typing could be a useful identification tool in criminal investigation.

Calvin Goddard (1891-1955) “Father of Ballistics” Developed the technique to examine bullets, using a comparison microscope, to determine whether or not a particular gun fired the bullets.

Edmond Locard (1877-1966) “Father of the Crime Lab” Strong advocate of the use of the scientific method in criminal investigation In 1910, he started the 1st crime lab in an attic of a police station in France With few tools, he quickly became known world-wide to forensic scientists & criminal investigators & eventually founded the Institute of Criminalistics in France.

Edmond Locard (1877-1966) His most important contribution was the “Locard’s Exchange Principle” Whenever two objects come into contact with each other, there is always a transfer of material

Locard’s Exchange Principle “Every Contact Leaves a Trace.” He believed that every criminal can be connected to a crime by particles carried from the crime scene. When a criminal comes in contact with an object or person, a cross-transfer of evidence occurs.

Locard’s Exchange Principle Examples Metal particles carried on clothing from a crime scene can link a suspect to a crime Soil samples found on the vehicle of a suspect can link the suspect to a crime scene 3. Plant material found on cars or clothing can link a suspect to a crime scene

J. Edgar Hoover (1895-1972) “Father of the FBI” Director of Federal Bureau of Investigation during the 1930’s Hoover's leadership spanned 48 yrs & 8 presidential administrations. His reign covered Prohibition, the Great Depression, WWII, the Korean War, the Cold War, & the Vietnam War.

J. Edgar Hoover (1895-1972) He organized a national laboratory to provide forensic services to all law enforcement agencies in the U.S.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Was created in 1932 The FBI Laboratory is now the world’s largest forensic laboratory, performing over one million examinations per year

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Opened the Forensic Science Research and Training Center in 1981 Center is dedicated to conducting research and developing new and reliable scientific methods that can be applied to forensic science

LAPD & California 1923 - The oldest forensic laboratory in the United States was established by the L.A.P.D. under Director August Vollmer 1972- California Department of Justice created model system of state-operated crime laboratories

Crime Laboratories Crime labs can be government-run at the federal, state, or local level, or they can be private consulting businesses.

Crime Laboratories 1. The Police Department 2. The Prosecutors or District Attorney’s Office 3. The Coroner or Medical Examiner’s Office 4. Universities as independent testing facilities

Federal Crime Labs in the U.S. Will assist any local agency that requests assistance in investigative matters

Federal Crime Labs in the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Housed under the Department of Justice Largest lab Responsibilities: 1. Broad, investigative powers that exceed jurisdictions of state and local authorities 2. Expertise and technology support for criminal investigations

Federal Crime Labs in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Housed under The Department of Justice Responsibilities 1. Analysis of drugs seized in violation of federal laws that regulate the production, sale, and transportation of drugs in the U.S.

Federal Crime Labs in the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Housed under The Department of Justice

Federal Crime Labs in the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Responsibilities: 1. Analyzing alcoholic beverages and documents relating to tax law enforcement 2. Examining weapons, explosive devices, and evidence relating to the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970

Federal Crime Labs in the U.S. U.S. Postal Inspection Services (USPS) Housed under The Department of Justice Responsibilities: Investigates criminal acts relating to the postal service Inspection of mail

Other Federal Crime Labs FDA – Food and Drug Administration Are responsible for protecting food, drugs, cosmetics, and other FDA regulated products from theft, counterfeiting, fraud, tampering, and false advertising. FDA Forensics Chemistry Lab is located in Cincinnati

Other Federal Crime Labs U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Ashland, OR) 1st & only lab that specializes in wildlife forensics. Prevent poaching and hunting of endangered species.

Other Federal Crime Labs Department of Homeland Security Department of the Treasury

Physical Science Unit This unit applies principles and techniques on chemistry, physics, and geology to the identify and compare crime scene evidence.

Arson & Geology Units (Sometime within the Physical Science Unit) Arson Unit This unit deals with evidence from fires and looks for their causes Geology Unit This unit would deal with trace evidence such as sand, soil, minerals, and rocks

Biology Unit Is for the purpose of identification and DNA profiling of dried blood stains and other body fluids, hairs, fibers, and botanical materials.

Toxicology Unit The unit for the examination of body fluids and organs for chemicals, drugs and poisons

Serology Unit The unit for the examination of blood and other bodily fluids (semen, saliva, etc.) for infection, diseases, and for diagnosis.

Firearms & Tool mark Unit The unit for the examination of firearms, bullets, cases, shells, and other types of ammunition Some also examine tool marks and other weapons for identification. Ballistics - the science that deals with the motion, behavior, and effects of projectiles, most often firearms and bullets

Polygraph Unit Polygraph or lie detector used primarily as a tool of the criminal investigator This unit is more of a tool for the criminal investigator than the forensic scientist. Polygraph result are not admissible in court.

Voiceprint Analysis Unit Cases involving telephone threats, tape-recorded messages may use unit to identify persons Sound patterns are suppose to be unique to the person & and are captured on a voiceprint

Evidence Collection Unit Trained personnel dispatched to a crime scene to collect & preserve evidence collected at the crime scene

Photography Unit They examine and record physical evidence via digital imaging, infrared, ultraviolet and x-ray photography. This area also prepares photographic courtroom presentations.

Document Examination Unit Ascertains authenticity and source of questioned documents and hand writing analysis, indented writings, obliterations, erasures, and burned/charred documents.

Latent Fingerprint Unit Develops, evaluates, and compares latent fingerprint evidence by use of magnifier, microscope, and fingerprint comparator. Determines identity of individuals and enters information into the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)

Forensic Disciplines Forensic Art –sketch composite drawings, age progression, image modifications, post-mortem skull reconstructions

Forensic Disciplines Forensic Medicine– doctors of medicine with special certification in pathology and forensic pathology. Most are M.E.s They are concerned with determining cause and circumstances in cases of questioned death.

Forensic Disciplines ** Forensic Anthropology – studies human skeletal remains for identification

Forensic Disciplines ** Forensic Psychology- evaluates behavioral patterns and how they relate to crime (profiling)

Forensic Disciplines Forensic Pathology -investigates the sudden, unnatural, unexplained, or violent deaths. An autopsy is usually performed to obtain the answer.

Forensic Disciplines Forensic Odontology– examination of bite marks and dental features to identify a victim when the body is otherwise unidentifiable

Forensic Disciplines Forensic Entomology –studies lifecycles of insects and their relationship to crime scene investigation

Forensic Disciplines Forensic Palynology–studies pollen and spores

Forensic Disciplines Forensic Engineering – is concerned with failure analysis, accident reconstruction, involvement of mechanical items and causes and origins of fires or explosions

Role of a Forensic Scientist Analyze evidence and prepare reports on the analyses Testify in court as an expert witness. ***The emphasis is on SCIENCE!