1. A Little More Background
Terms we’ll use for the rest of the semester

2. Criminalistics vs. Criminology
application of scientific techniques in collecting & analyzing physical evidence in criminal cases
Criminology
the scientific study of crime and criminal behavior and law enforcement 

3. Criminal Law vs. Civil Law
public law that deals with crimes and their prosecution
the law established by a nation or state for its own jurisdiction

4. Individual vs. Class Lawsuit
When one person sues company or another individual.
When a group of people sue a company or individual

5. Individual vs. Class Evidence
Evidence that is like “snowflakes”
No two things are exactly alike.
Ex: DNA, Fingerprints, tire tracks, shoe prints, , tool marks, fired bullet, tear or fracture pattern, etc.
Not unique to a particular object
Narrow evidence to 1 person or a very small group of people
Ex: .38 caliber gun, air jordans, etc

6. Chain of Custody Continuous record that the evidence has been “safe”
Crime scene  Lab  Courtroom
Mark for identification
Evidence bag
Case number
Name and description of the item
Name/initials of who found it
Witnesses to the discovery/recovery
Date, time, location of the find
Special packaging
Glass tube, tin, etc

7. Faces Program
Facial composite software that enable the FBI to come up with a “sketch” of a suspect.

8. Witness Reliability Usually very poor
Need to separate all witnesses at the scene immediately to get statements
Verify testimony
Agrees with other witnesses
Agrees with evidence

9. Every contact leaves a trace!!!
Locard’s Principle
Every contact leaves a trace!!!