INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE

Introduction to forensic science  Forensic  The word forensic comes from the Latin for ē nsis, meaning "of or before the forum.“ In Roman times, a criminal charge meant presenting the case before a group of public individuals in the forum. Both the person accused of the crime and the accuser would give speeches based on their sides of the story. The individual with the best argument and delivery would determine the outcome of the case. This origin is the source of the two modern usages of the word forensic – as a form of legal evidence and as a category of public presentation.

Introduction to forensic science  What is forensic science?  Study and application of science to matters of law  Also known as criminalistics  Forensic scientists use crime labs to help them examine evidence

Crime labs  Include several departments  Physical science (chemistry, physics, geology)  Biology (including microbiology)  Ballistics (motion, behavior, and effects of projectiles)

Crime labs  Include several departments  Document examination  Photography  Toxicology and drug analysis  Fingerprints

Crime labs  Consulting areas  Anthropology  Psychiatry  Odontology (bite marks, dental identification)  Engineering  Computer technology  Pathology (sudden, unexplained, violent death)

Crime labs  Consulting areas  Geology (rocks)  Environmental science  Entomology (insects)  Palynology (pollen and spores)  Polygraphy (lie detector)  Voiceprint analysis

Crime lab  Main jobs  Study the different types of evidence found at a crime scene  Be ready to testify as an expert witness at a trial or hearing  Present data, weigh evidence, and give an impartial opinion  Perform research and train others  Learn about forensics through experience (possibly through police forces) and independent study  Complete advanced degrees

Crime laboratories  Federal, state, and local levels  Maintained by states or regions  Large cities may have their own labs (NY, LA)

Crime laboratories  FBI  Federal Bureau of Investigations  Maintains largest crime lab in the world  Through Department of Justice  DEA  Drug Enforcement Administration  Lab for the Department of Justice  Mainly drug related crimes

Crime laboratories  ATF  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives  Lab for the Department of Treasury  Crimes involving alcohol, weapons, explosives, and organized crime  USPS  US Postal Service  Handle crimes involving mail  US Fish and Wildlife Service  Handle crimes involving animals, arson of forests, etc.

Crime laboratories  Sample Divisions  Physical science unit—examine drugs, soil, glass, paint, blood splatter patterns, other trace evidence  Firearms unit—tool marks, weapons, firearms, bullets  Document analysis unit—handwriting, typewriting, word processing (computer applications), paper, ink  Biology unit—body fluids, DNA, blood factors, hair, fibers, plant life

Crime laborotories  Larger labs—may include divisions including:  Photography, toxicology, latent fingerprints, polygraphs, arson, evidence of collection, etc  Also consult with other experts in other scientific areas  Unidentified remains, odontologists, psychologists, etc

Locard’s Principle  Edmond Locard  Forensic investigator in early 1900’s  “Every contact leaves a trace”  Whenever two objects come into contact, there is always a transfer of material 1. Observe general characteristics 2. Observe more specific features 3. Link evidence to a crime 4. Link evidence to the suspects