Introduction to Forensic Science

What does “forensic science” mean? What does “forensic science” mean? The presentation of science or scientific evidence in a public forum (court of law) The presentation of science or scientific evidence in a public forum (court of law) Dates back to China, 1248 Dates back to China, 1248

Sherlock Holmes Fictional character developed by author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Fictional character developed by author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. First to apply serology, fingerprinting, firearm identification, and questioned- document examination First to apply serology, fingerprinting, firearm identification, and questioned- document examination All of this - from fiction - before accepted by real-life criminal investigations. All of this - from fiction - before accepted by real-life criminal investigations.

Mathieu Orfila Father of Toxicology Father of Toxicology Lafarge Trial (Marie) - arsenic Lafarge Trial (Marie) - arsenic Book: Traite des poisons or Toxicologie general - first scientific study of the detection and pathological effects of poisons - established toxicology as a distinct field of forensic science. Book: Traite des poisons or Toxicologie general - first scientific study of the detection and pathological effects of poisons - established toxicology as a distinct field of forensic science.

The father of criminal identification The father of criminal identification Developed anthropometry - using body length measurements as unique properties - took 243 separate measurements Developed anthropometry - using body length measurements as unique properties - took 243 separate measurements Method was coined “Bertillonage” Method was coined “Bertillonage” Alphonse Bertillon

Francis Galton Fingerprinting Fingerprinting Developed methodology for identification using the friction ridges on fingers Developed methodology for identification using the friction ridges on fingers Basics still used today Basics still used today His work has been enhanced by Sir Edward Henry - father of modern fingerprinting His work has been enhanced by Sir Edward Henry - father of modern fingerprinting Henry developed a filing method for storing fingerprint patterns/records prior to computer storage capabilities Henry developed a filing method for storing fingerprint patterns/records prior to computer storage capabilities

Leone Lattes Blood testing - used technique developed by Dr. Karl Landsteiner Blood testing - used technique developed by Dr. Karl Landsteiner Bloodstains - developed method to determine blood type from dried blood Bloodstains - developed method to determine blood type from dried blood Discovered that blood typing could be used as a means of identification Discovered that blood typing could be used as a means of identification

Calvin Goddard s Individualization of weapons Individualization of weapons Firing pin marks on shell casings Firing pin marks on shell casings Refined the technique of bullet comparisons with the gun from which it was fired Refined the technique of bullet comparisons with the gun from which it was fired

Albert S. Osborn Handwriting expert - established the fundamental principles of document examination. Handwriting expert - established the fundamental principles of document examination. Challenged the notion of “told” rather than “shown” Challenged the notion of “told” rather than “shown”

Hans Gross First real life “scientific detective” - described the application of scientific disciplines to the field of criminal investigation First real life “scientific detective” - described the application of scientific disciplines to the field of criminal investigation Austrian lawyer Austrian lawyer Coined the term “Criminalistics” Coined the term “Criminalistics”

Hans Gross Wrote about: forensic medicine toxicology, serology, ballistics, and anthropometry Wrote about: forensic medicine toxicology, serology, ballistics, and anthropometry Suggested using: mineralogists, ecologist, and botanists Suggested using: mineralogists, ecologist, and botanists

J. Edgar Hoover Reorganized the Bureau of Investigations in 1924 Reorganized the Bureau of Investigations in 1924 Included fingerprint cards Included fingerprint cards 1932 now FBI 1932 now FBI Organized a national laboratory that aimed to offer forensic services of all law enforcement agencies Organized a national laboratory that aimed to offer forensic services of all law enforcement agencies

Edmond Locard Locard’s Exchange Principle - whenever two objects come in contact, material will be exchanged between them. Locard’s Exchange Principle - whenever two objects come in contact, material will be exchanged between them. Every criminal can be tied to crime by dust particles carried from the scene Every criminal can be tied to crime by dust particles carried from the scene Ex: counterfeit coins - metal found that matched those of the coins found on 3 suspects clothes - confronted with evidence - they confessed Ex: counterfeit coins - metal found that matched those of the coins found on 3 suspects clothes - confronted with evidence - they confessed

Evidence: What is it? Direct: evidence in the form of a statement made under oath - also known as testimonial evidence. Direct: evidence in the form of a statement made under oath - also known as testimonial evidence. Physical evidence: any object or material that is relevant in a crime. Physical evidence: any object or material that is relevant in a crime. Locard’s Principle Locard’s Principle Class vs. Individual Evidence Class vs. Individual Evidence

What is it good for? Physical evidence Physical evidence Prove crime has been committed Prove crime has been committed Corroborate testimony Corroborate testimony Link suspect to victim or crime scene Link suspect to victim or crime scene Establish identity of persons associated with crime Establish identity of persons associated with crime All reconstruction of crime All reconstruction of crime

Class Evidence Consistent with a particular source Consistent with a particular source The more class evidence that fits the criminal - the better The more class evidence that fits the criminal - the better Hair Hair Fibers Fibers Soil Soil Glass fragments Glass fragments

Individual Individualized to a single, specific source Individualized to a single, specific source No doubt as to what the source is No doubt as to what the source is Fingerprints Fingerprints DNA DNA Handwriting Handwriting Voiceprints Voiceprints Always involves a comparison - an exemplar Always involves a comparison - an exemplar Piece of evidence taken from known source Piece of evidence taken from known source

Rules of Evidence Admissible evidence must be Admissible evidence must be Relevant - must prove something (probative) and address the issue of the particular crime (material) Relevant - must prove something (probative) and address the issue of the particular crime (material) Reliable Reliable Presenter must be credible and competent Presenter must be credible and competent

Scientific Evidence Frye Standard Frye Standard Interpretation of evidence must be given by an expert witness & have gained “general acceptance” in that particular field of study Interpretation of evidence must be given by an expert witness & have gained “general acceptance” in that particular field of study Frey vs. U.S., 1923: court must decide if the handling of evidence are “generally accepted” by a meaningful segment of the relevant scientific community Frey vs. U.S., 1923: court must decide if the handling of evidence are “generally accepted” by a meaningful segment of the relevant scientific community

Scientific Evidence Daubert Ruling Daubert Ruling Daubert vs. Merrill Dow Pharmaceuticals Daubert vs. Merrill Dow Pharmaceuticals Applies to federal courts & some states Applies to federal courts & some states Judge determines admissibility Judge determines admissibility Guidelines for Judge Guidelines for Judge 1. Scientific theory or technique must be testable. 2. Must be subject to peer review and publication 3. Rate of error must be stated 4. Technique must follow standards 5. Consideration as to whether there is widespread acceptance in scientific community

Common Acronyms in Forensic Science AAFS-American Academy of Forensic Science AAFS-American Academy of Forensic Science DNA - Deoxyribonucleic Acid DNA - Deoxyribonucleic Acid RNA - Ribonucleic Acid RNA - Ribonucleic Acid CODIS - Combined DNA Index System CODIS - Combined DNA Index System AFIS-Automated Fingerprint Identification System AFIS-Automated Fingerprint Identification System IBIS - Integrated Ballistics Identification IBIS - Integrated Ballistics Identification FBI-Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI-Federal Bureau of Investigation

More Acronyms DEA - Drug Enforcement Administration DEA - Drug Enforcement Administration ATF - (Bureau of)Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms ATF - (Bureau of)Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms USPS - United States Postal Service USPS - United States Postal Service USF&W - United States Fish & Wildlife(Service) USF&W - United States Fish & Wildlife(Service) PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction (DNA) PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction (DNA) RFLP - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism RFLP - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism STR - Single Tandem Repeats (DNA) STR - Single Tandem Repeats (DNA)

More Acronyms SSA - Social Security Administration SSA - Social Security Administration IRS -Internal Revenue Service IRS -Internal Revenue Service BSPA - Bloodstain Pattern Analysis BSPA - Bloodstain Pattern Analysis DOA - Dead On Arrival DOA - Dead On Arrival DUI - Driving Under the Influence DUI - Driving Under the Influence TOD - Time Of Death TOD - Time Of Death PMI - Post Mortem Interval PMI - Post Mortem Interval DRT - Dead Right There DRT - Dead Right There B&E - Breaking & Entering B&E - Breaking & Entering