Crime Scene Basics

Certainly going back to Sherlock Holmes we have a tradition of forensic science featured in detective stories. Jeffery Deaver

Forensic Science Definition……. The application of the sciences to answer questions by the legal system in relation to a crime or a civil action. Encompasses methodology, norms and facts to authenticate the answers to the questions posed.

Challenge One: People, Places and Things Match the people, places and things with their definitions.

Crime Scene Crime Scene Primary Crime Scene Secondary Crime Scene Suspect Accomplice Alibi Victim Evidence Investigator Crime lab

Evidence Evidence used to resolve a crime can be split into 2 areas: testimonial evidence and physical evidence. The testimonial evidence would be any witnessed accounts of an incident or crime. The physical evidence would refer to any material items that would be present on the crime scene or the victims. These items would be presented in a crime investigation to prove or disprove the facts of the issue. Examples include DNA, the body itself, the weapon used, pieces of carpet, blood and other body fluids, fingerprints, or casts of footprints or tire prints. Trace evidence refers to evidence that is found at a crime scene in small but measurable amounts.

Evidence Examples Paint Explosives Glass Dust and Dirt Firearms or Ballistics Fluids Blood Wounds Tool Marks Shoeprints & Tire Prints Physical Fracture Matches Questioned Documents Bite Marks Hairs & Fibers Skeletal Remains Fingerprints Source: http://www.virtualsciencefair.org/2004/fren4j0/public_html/trace_evidence.htm

Challenge Two: Evidence Talks List three things that the evidence tells us about the crime. Source: http://www.virtualsciencefair.org/2004/fren4j0/public_html/trace_evidence.htm

In reality, those rare few cases with good forensic evidence are the ones that make it to court. Pat Brown

What will evidence collected at a scene do for the investigation? May prove that a crime has been committed Establish any key elements of a crime Link a suspect with a crime scene or a victim Establish the identity of a victim or suspect Corroborate verbal witness testimony Exonerate the innocent. Give detectives leads to work with in the case What evidence can be found at a crime scene? Brainstorm with your group to come up with a list of evidence you might find at a crime scene and how it could be used by investigators.

Investigating the Evidence Drug Chemistry – Determines the presence of controlled substances and the identification of marijuana Trace Chemistry - Identification and comparison of materials from fires, explosions, paints, and glass. Microscopy - Identification and comparison of hairs, fibers, woods, soils, building materials, insulation and a broad group of materials referred to as "particulate unknowns.” Biology/DNA - Presence and comparison of body fluids and dried stains such as blood, semen, and saliva. Toxicology – Determines the presence of drugs and poisons in tissue, blood, urine and other body fluids. Latent Prints - Identification and comparison of hidden impressions from sources like fingers, palms, feet, shoes, ears, lips or the tread on vehicle tires. Firearms & Toolmarks - Examination and comparison of fired bullets, discharged cartridges, guns, gunpowder patterns, and marks left by erased serial numbers in metal or by burglary tools like a pry bar or screwdriver. Questioned Documents - Side by side comparisons of questioned handwriting and hand printing, ink, paper, writing instruments, printers, photocopiers, additions, eradications, obliterations, watermarks, and impressions.

Challenge Three: Crime Scene Protocol Put the five-step crime scene protocol in order of what you do first, second, third, fourth and last.

Crime Scene Protocol Interview Examine Photograph Sketch Process

Challenge Four: Careers Match the forensic careers with the graphic or picture that represents the career.

Crime Laboratory Criminalistics Digital Forensics The evidence is collected and the experts in the laboratory test all of the evidence. Below is a list of some of the specialists you might find in the lab. Criminalistics Digital Forensics Forensic Anthropology Forensic Archaeology Forensic Entomology Forensic Geology Forensic Meteorology Forensic Odontology Forensic Pathology Forensic Psychology Forensic Toxicology

I wanted to be a forensic scientist for a long time I wanted to be a forensic scientist for a long time...It's like putting the pieces of a puzzle together. Solving mysteries seemed like it would be fun, scary and exciting all at the same time. Kristin Kreuk

Power of Evidence