1. An Introduction to Forensic Science

2. Professions that use Forensic Science
Criminalistics Computer Science
Medical Science Jurisprudence
Odontology Entomologists
Pathology Biologists
Anthropology Chemists
Psychiatry Toxicology
Physics Botanists
Engineer Forgery/ Documents

3. Interdisciplinary Relationships
Forensics is a diverse field, and rarely are forensic scientists “generalists” – people who specialize in all aspects of forensic science. Forget what you see on CSI.
Forensic scientists don’t wear pumps to a crime scene, they rarely interview suspects or make arrests, and they are not experts in all areas of forensic investigations. Rather, forensic experts usually specialize in one or two branches of forensic investigation.

4. Forensic Science Defined:
Forensic Science (or Criminalistics) is the use of science & technology to enforce civil & criminal laws.

5. Applying Science to Law
Applying science to the Criminal Justice System depends on a scientist’s ability to supply accurate & objective information that reflects the events that have occurred at a crime.

6. History & Development of Forensic Science

7. First Known Forensic Science
3000 BC: China - A wife poisoned her husband and burned his body. The coroner noted no ash inside his mouth and simulated the crime with dead & live pigs. The dead pig had no ash and the live pig did have ash in its mouth. The Wife confessed when shown the evidence.
Chinese first to see potential in fingerprints.

8. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Mystery author in late 1800’s
Popularized scientific crime-detection methods through his fictional character ‘Sherlock Holmes’.

9. Alphonse Bertillon “Father of Anthropometry”
Developed a system to distinguish one individual person from another based on certain body measurements.

10. Francis Galton (1822-1911) “Father of Fingerprinting”
Developed fingerprinting as a way to uniquely identify individuals.

11. James Marsh Scottish Chemist
First to introduce chemical evidence of arsenic in a body during a trial in 1839.

12. Leone Lattes (1887-1954) “Father of Bloodstain Identification”
He developed a procedure for determining the blood type (A, B, AB, or O) of a dried blood stain.

13. 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.

14. Albert Osborn (1858-1946) “Father of Document Examination”
His work led to the acceptance of documents as scientific evidence by the courts.

15. Walter McCrone (1916-2002) “Father of Microscopic Forensics”
He developed & applied his microscope techniques to examine evidence in countless court cases.

16. Hans Gross ( )
“Father of Forensic Publications”
Wrote the book on applying all the different science disciplines to the field of criminal investigation

17. Edmond Locard ( )
“Father of the Crime Lab”
In 1910, he started the 1st crime lab in an attic of a police station in Paris, France.

18. J. Edgar Hoover
“Father of the FBI” - Director of Federal Bureau of Investigation during the 1930’s
He organized a national laboratory to offer forensic services to all law enforcement agencies in the U.S.
VERY CONTROVERSIAL
He exceeded & abused his authority with unjustified investigations & illegal wiretaps based on political beliefs rather than suspected criminal activity

19. Sir Alec Jeffreys – DNA
First to develop a DNA profile (DNA fingerprint) 1984

20. Services of Forensic Labs
Physical Science Unit – Chemistry, physics
Biology Unit – DNA, body fluids analysis, hair & fibers, botanical
Firearms Unit – guns, bullets, gunpowder
Documents Unit – handwriting, printed
Photography Unit – digital imaging documentation

21. Services of Forensic Labs
Toxicology Unit – drugs, poisons
Fingerprint Unit – latent fingerprints
Polygraph Unit - lie detectors
Voiceprint / sound Unit – identification
CSI – Crime Scene Investigation Unit – handles on site examination for evidence.

22. Services of Forensic Labs
Forensic Psychiatry Unit – mental evaluation / monitoring
Forensic Odontology - dental ID
Forensic Engineering – failure analysis
Forensic Computer Unit- digital analysis

23. Application of Forensic Science
Identification of Criminals or Victims
Solving Mysteries
Past crimes (unsolved or wrongfully convicted)
Cause, Location, Time of Death
Paternity cases 
Cyber crimes |
Corporate Crimes (Enron)
Voice Analysis
IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SUSPECTS WHOSE DNA MAY MATCH EVIDENCE LEFT AT CRIME SCENES
EXONERATE PERSONS WRONGLY ACCUSED OF CRIMES
IDENTIFY CRIME & CATSTROPHE VICITIMS
ESTABLISH PATERNITY AND OTHER FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

24. Applications of Forensic Science
Application of DNA as evidence
Prevention vs. Reaction
Catastrophes & Wars
ID remains of victims (either civilian or soldiers)
ex. Holocaust or Katrina
Military & International Forensics
Terrorism
The search for WMD’s
stockpiled or stored weapons from past wars
IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SUSPECTS WHOSE DNA MAY MATCH EVIDENCE LEFT AT CRIME SCENES
EXONERATE PERSONS WRONGLY ACCUSED OF CRIMES
IDENTIFY CRIME & CATSTROPHE VICITIMS
ESTABLISH PATERNITY AND OTHER FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS