1. Forensics
Chapter 1
R. Hamblin

2. Chapter 1: continued discussion
Organization of a Crime Laboratory

3. Crime Laboratory Crime laboratories have been organized
by agencies that foresaw their potential application to criminal investigation
Since the 1960’s the number of crime labs
increased due to the courts demanding
secure scientifically evaluated evidence

6. TRADITION

7. MSP Crime Labs are stationed throughout the state…

8. Example: Sterling Heights Post
Address and Contact Information Merrill Road Sterling Heights, MI Phone: Fax: Lab Director: F/Lt. Charles Morden Year Established:1988 Size: 16,000 sq.ft. Approximate Staffing: Services Provided:
Body Fluid Identification
Controlled Substances
Crime Scene Response
Firearms & Tool marks
Latent Prints
Trace Evidence
NOTE: Services not provided at
at this location may be provided
at another laboratory facility.

9. Laboratories
Bridgeport
Grand Rapids
Grayling
Lansing
Marquette
Metro Detroit
Northville
Sterling Heights

10. www.michigan.gov/msp Web Page includes: careers services
law enforcement
divisions
Posts
Media center
and more!!

11. Each lab throughout the state specializes in different services than other labs

12. SERVICES OF THE CRIME LABORATORY
Like the MSP, many state crime laboratories have been created solely for the purpose of processing evidence, currently most of their energy and funds are used to analyze drugs and DNA.
In 1932, J. Edgar Hoover first established a national forensics laboratory to support all law enforcement in the U. S. The oldest American forensics laboratory is in Los Angeles, California, created in 1923 by August Volmer.

13. Basic Services Provided by Full-Service Crime Laboratories
1. Physical Science Unit - applies the principle and techniques of chemistry, physics and geology to the identification and comparison of crime-scene evidence

14. 2. Biology Unit - identifies dried bloodstains and body fluids, compares hairs and fibers, identifies and compares botanical materials such as wood and plants, and performs DNA analysis.

15. 3. Firearms Unit - examines firearms, discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells, and ammunition of all types

16. 4. Document Examination Unit - analyzes handwriting, paper and printers of documents

17. 5. Photography Unit – examines and records physical evidence at the crime scene and at suspect’s locations

18. OPTIONAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY FULL-SERVICE CRIME LABS
1. Toxicology Unit – examines body fluids and organs in order to determine the presence and identification of drugs and poisons

19. 2. Latent Fingerprint Unit – processes and examines evidence for latent fingerprints, i.e., those found on surfaces

20. 3. Polygraph Unit – uses lie detectors, an essential tool of the crime investigator rather than the forensic scientist

21. 4. Voiceprint Analysis Unit – are involved in cases of telephone threats or tape-recorded messages. Investigators may be able to connect a voice to a particular suspect

22. 5. Evidence-Collection Unit – incorporates evidence collection into a total forensic service

23. The Functions of the Forensic Scientist

24. 1. Analysis of Physical Evidence – the forensic scientist must be skilled in applying the principles and techniques of the physical and natural sciences in order to identify the many types of evidence that may be recovered during crime investigations.
The Frye vs United States court case established that a scientific technique must be “generally accepted” by the scientific community (p.12, Criminalistics)

25. 2. Expert Witness – possesses a particular skill or has knowledge in a trade or profession that will aid the court in determining the truth

26. 3. Specially Trained Evidence Collection Technique – training in proper recognition, collection, and preservation of evidence is required so that the forensic pathologist, such as the medical examiner or coroner, can determine the cause of death via an autopsy

27. OTHER FORENSICS SCIENCE SERVICES
1. Forensic Pathology
2. Forensic Anthropology
3. Forensic Entomology
4. Forensic Psychiatry
5. Forensic Odontology
6. Forensic Engineering

28. Forensic Analysis can also include organic and inorganic analytical techniques
Organic analysis of unknown substances includes analytical techniques, such as: 1. Chromatography -

29. Organic analysis, cont.
2. UV-visible spectrophotometer -

30. Organic analysis…
3. Infrared Spectrophotometry

31. Organic analysis, cont.
4. Mass Spectrometry –

32. Inorganic Analytical Techniques
Inorganic analysis includes techniques such as: Emission spectrum of elements, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry, Neutron Activation Analysis, and X-Ray Diffraction Analysis

33. Inorganic analytic techniques 1. Emission spectrum of elements -

34. Inorganic Analytic techniques, cont. 2
Inorganic Analytic techniques, cont. 2. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

35. Inorganic Analytic techniques, cont. 3. Neutron Activation Analysis -

36. Inorganic Analytic techniques, cont. 4. X-Ray Diffraction Analysis -