0. Chapter 1 Introduction to Forensic Science and the Law
“In school, every period ends with a bell. Every sentence ends with a period. Every crime ends with a sentence.”
—Stephen Wright, comedian

1. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company
Chapter 1
Forensic Science
The study and application of science to law
“Forensis” means forum
Public place where, in Roman times, senators and others debated and held judicial proceedings
Forensics is also called “criminalistics”
Forensic scientist – study different types of evidence; may have to testify as “expert witness”
Expert witness – a person who is a specialist in a subject; presents an expert opinion without witnessing any occurrence related to the case
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Kendall/Hunt

2. Criminalistics vs Criminology
the scientific examination of physical evidence for legal purposes
Criminology
includes the psychological angle, studying the crime scene for motive, traits, and behavior that will help to interpret the evidence
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3. Crime Lab—Basic Services
Chapter 1
Crime Lab—Basic Services
Physical Science Unit
Chemistry
Physics
Geology
Biology Unit
Firearms Unit
Document Examination Unit
Photography Unit
Where forensic scientists examine evidence
- can be Federal, State, or Local
Physical Science Unit – drugs, soil, glass, paint, blood spatter patterns, other trace physical evidence
Biology – body fluids, DNA, hair, fibers, etc.
Firearms (Ballistics) – motion, behavior, and effects of projectiles (firearms + bullets)
Document Analysis – handwriting, typewriting, word processing, paper + ink
Photography – take photos of crime scene
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Kendall/Hunt

4. Crime Lab—Optional Services
Chapter 1
Crime Lab—Optional Services
Toxicology Unit
Latent Fingerprint Unit
Polygraph Unit
Voiceprint Analysis Unit
Evidence Collection Unit
Toxicology – poisons
Polygraph – lie detector
Voiceprint Analysis – telephone threats or tape-recorded messages
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5. Other Forensic Science Services
Chapter 1
Other Forensic Science Services
Forensic Pathology
Forensic Entomology
Forensic Psychiatry
Forensic Odontology
Forensic Palynology
May also consult experts in:
Pathology – investigation of sudden unexplained or violent death
Entomology – study of insects
Odontology – bite marks and dental ID
Palynology – pollen and spores
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Kendall/Hunt

6. Major Crime Laboratories
Chapter 1
Major Crime Laboratories
FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency)
ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms)
FWS (Fish & Wildlife Service)
USPS (United States Postal Service)
FBI – largest crime lab in the world
DEA – drug-related crimes
ATF – crimes involving alcohol, weapons, explosives, & organized crime
FWS – violations of wildlife laws
USPS – crimes involving mail
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Kendall/Hunt

7. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company
Crime Lab History
First police crime lab in the world
France in 1910 by Edmond Locard
First police crime lab in the U.S.
1923 in Los Angeles
The first FBI crime lab
opened in 1932
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8. Major Developments in Forensic Science History
700s AD—Chinese used fingerprints to establish identity of documents and clay sculptures
~1000—Roman courts determined that bloody palm prints were used to frame a man in his brother’s murder
1149—King Richard of England introduced the idea of the coroner to investigate questionable death
1200s—A murder in China is solved when flies were attracted to invisible blood residue on a sword of a man in the community
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9. Major Developments in Forensic Science History
1670—Anton Van Leeuwenhoek constructed the first high-powered microscope
1776—Paul Revere identified the body of General Joseph Warren based on the false teeth he had made for him
1784—John Toms convicted of murder on basis of torn edge of wad of paper in pistol matching a piece of paper in his pocket
1864—Crime scene photography developed
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10. Major Developments in Forensic Science History
1879—Alphonse Bertillon developed a system to identify people using particular body measurements
1896—Edward Henry developed first classification system for fingerprint identification
1900—Karl Landsteiner identified human blood groups
1904—Edmond Locard formulated his famous principle, “Every contact leaves a trace.”
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11. Major Developments in Forensic Science History
Chapter 1
Major Developments in Forensic Science History
1959—James Watson and Francis Crick discover the DNA double helix
1977—AFIS developed by FBI, fully automated in 1996
1984—Alec Jeffreys developed and used first DNA tests to be applied to a criminal case
AFIS – Automated Fingerprint Identification System
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Kendall/Hunt

12. People of Historical Significance
Edmond Locard ( )
French professor
Considered the father of forensics
Built the world’s first forensic laboratory in France in 1910
Locard Exchange Principle
Whenever two objects come into contact with each other, traces of each are exchanged
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