1. Introduction to Forensic Science

2. Introduction to Forensic Science: Learning Objectives
Define forensic science
Explain the development of forensic science throughout history
Describe the services of a typical comprehensive crime laboratory in the criminal justice system
Explain the role and responsibilities of the expert witness

3. Introduction to Forensic Science: Vocabulary
Expert Witness
Locard’s Exchange Principle
Scientific Method

4. CASEY ANTHONY: The CSI Effect?
July 15, 2008
Cindy Anthony makes a 911 call reporting that her granddaughter Caylee is missing
Caylee has not been seen in 31 days
When she asked her daughter, Casey, gives a variation of explanations as to Caylee’s whereabouts
Finally, Casey confesses to Cindy she has not seen Caylee in weeks

5. CASEY ANTHONY: The CSI Effect?
State and nation-wide search for Caylee Anthony begins as Casey tells authorities that Caylee was kidnapped by a nanny on June 9
December 11, 2008
Caylee’s remains are found in a blanket inside of a trash bag in a wooded area near the family home

6. CASEY ANTHONY: The CSI Effect?
The state’s theory was that Casey used chloroform to render Caylee unconscious
Placed duct tape over Caylee’s mouth and nose
Kept her remains in the trunk of her car for several days before disposing it
Casey is charged with first-degree murder in October 2008

7. CASEY ANTHONY: The CSI Effect?
Trial lasts from May to July 2011
Casey is charged with first-degree murder
The closest the state comes to a direct link was a hair found in the trunk of Casey’s car
DNA test could only link the hair to Caylee’s maternal relatives
No unique characteristics were found to link the duct tape on the body with that found in the Anthony home

8. CASEY ANTHONY: The CSI Effect?
No DNA, No fingerprints, No conviction
July 5, 2011
Jury finds Casey Anthony not guilty or first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and aggravated manslaughter of a child

9. Definition and Scope
Application of science to the criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system
Criminalistics and forensic science are the same field—criminalistics is more descriptive than forensic science

10. Criminal Law vs Civil Law
Designed to prevent citizens from harming each other
Involves actions that have been declared illegal
Always filed by the government called the prosecution
Deals with disagreements between private individuals
One person claims the other person’s actions caused him harm
The party filing the lawsuit is called the plantiff

11. Definition and Scope
While shows like CSI have increased public awareness, they give an unrealistic view of how the process works
“CSI effect”—the dramatization of forensic science has led people to believe that every crime scene will yield forensic evidence and procedures unrealistic expectations

12. Development of Forensics
3rd Century China—one of the earliest recordings of forensic science
1686—first notes about fingerprints
Late 1800s—public officials begin to apply science to the study of crime
1893—first treatise describing the application of scientific disciplines to criminal investigation

13. Late 19th Century Progress
Best known figure in the late 19th century forensics was Sherlock Holmes

14. 20th Century Breakthroughs
1901—discovery of different blood types
1910—pioneering work in document examination
LOCARD’S EXCHANGE PRINCIPLE
When two objects come into contact with one another, there is exchange of materials between them

15. Crime Laboratories
1923—first forensic lab opened as part of the Los Angeles Police Department
1932—FBI organized a national lab that offered forensic services to all law enforcement agencies in the country
FBI Laboratory is now the world’s largest forensic lab

16. Services of the Crime Lab
Physical Science Unit
Applies chemistry, physics, etc. to crime scene evidence; Experts in chemical testing; Drug ID, Soil/Mineral analysis, Trace Evidence
Biology Unit
Biologists and Biochemists; DNA profiling on bloodstains and bodily fluids, hairs & fibers
Firearms Unit
Examines firearms, discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells, and ammo

17. Services of the Crime Lab
Document Examination Unit
Studies handwriting and typewriting on questioned documents; analyzing paper and ink
Photography Unit
Examines and records physical evidence; may require highly specialized photographic techniques, such as digital imaging, infrared, UV, and X-ray

18. Optional Services Toxicology Unit Latent Fingerprint Unit
Polygraph Unit
Voiceprint Analysis Unit
Crime-scene Investigation Unit

19. Functions of the Forensic Scientist
Analyze physical evidence AND provide expert testimony
Analyzing Physical Evidence
Physical evidence is unbiased and must undergo scientific inquiry
The scientific method is a process that uses strict guidelines to ensure careful and systematic collection, organization, and analysis of information

20. Analyzing Physical Evidence
When a hypothesis is validated, it can be used in a court of law
Admissibility of Evidence
Frye v. US (1923) set the Frye Standard—expert opinion based on scientific technique is admissible only where the technique is generally accepted as reliable in the scientific community
The Federal Rules of Evidence (1973)—offers more flexible standard for admitting scientific evidence
Assigns the trial judge the task of ensuring that an expert’s testimony rests on a reliable foundation and is relevant to the case

21. Providing Expert Testimony
Forensic scientists are often called to testify about their methods or conclusions
An expert witness is an individual whom the court determines to possess knowledge relevant to the trial that is not expected of the average person
Must be able to explain their methods and conclusions to non-scientists
The expert must stick to the evidence—no matter what direction it may lead

22. Training in the Proper Recognition, Collection, and Preservation of Physical Evidence
If proper recognition, collection, and preservation of evidence does not occur, it doesn’t matter how fancy the lab is or how qualified the forensic scientist is
Forensic scientists participate in training law enforcement personnel in the proper recognition, collection, and preservation of physical evidence