1. Introduction to Forensic Science
Chapter 1

2. Chapter 1 Objectives
To be able to define forensic science and describe its various areas
To be able to describe the major events in the history of forensic science and relate them to modern-day practice
To be able to describe the duties of a forensic scientist

3. To be able to describe the organization of federal, state, and local forensic science laboratories
To be able to diagram and describe the flow of evidence through a crime laboratory
To be able to describe the qualifications for becoming a forensic scientist
To be able to get information on careers in forensic science

4. FORENSICS
Today we use the term to mean the methods of science applied to matters involving the justice system
Which sciences are forensic sciences?
Any science can be a forensic science if it has some application to justice
Criminalistics, Pathology, Anthropology, Odontology, Engineering, Entomology

5. CRIMINALISTICS
The term can be used to describe the comparative forensic sciences such as fingerprints, questioned documents, firearms and toolmarks
Most commonly, however, criminalistics refers to the myriad of types of physical evidence generated by crime scenes
Illicit drugs, blood and DNA, fire and explosive residues, hairs and fibers, glass and soil particles, paints and plastics, fingerprints, bullets, and much more

7. PATHOLOGY
Forensic pathologists determine the cause and manner of death in cases where someone dies under suspicious circumstances
Cause of death – event that directly causes death
Stroke, drug overdose, auto crash, poisioning, etc.
Manner of death – the type of death (four only)
Homicide, natural, accidental, and suicide
Autopsy (or postmortem examination) is used to make these determinations
Pathologists work for medical examiners or coroners (varies by state)

9. ANTHROPOLOGY Forensic anthropologists work with skeletal remains
If human, they determine from what part of the body the bone originated
If they have the correct bones:
Gender, age, racial characteristics, and even socioeconomic status can be determined
If there is an injury to a skeleton or major bones, the cause of the injury or death can be determined
It is also possible to build a face onto a skull using clay and pegs of various sizes
Facial reconstruction helps find missing persons

11. ODONTOLOGY Odontology is a fancy name for dentistry
Bite marks on a victim or other object can be matched to a suspect
Forensic odontologists can also help identify remains from disasters such as plane crashes
Postmortem dental records are taken and matched to x-rays taken before death
It is also possible to distinguish causes of facial injuries
Falling down the stairs vs. being struck by an object

13. ENGINEERING
Forensic engineers can be valuable in cases where something has gone wrong with a mechanical or structural entity or in cases of automobile crashes
Failure analysis is one of the major contributions that forensic engineers make to the justice system
The majority of the work of forensic engineers is in the investigation of traffic crashes
Accident reconstruction is used to determine speeds, directions of impact, and who was driving the vehicle at the time of impact

15. ENTOMOLOGY
Flies (usually blowflies) are usually the first to arrive at a crime scene
Flies and other insects lay their eggs in decaying flesh
Different insects do this at different times
Other insects such as beetles and wasps will attack and feed off the insects and eggs
This parade of visitors takes place at surprisingly consistent time intervals
Forensic entomologists can estimate the postmortem interval (how long ago death occurred)
If a person has been poisoned or has overdosed, flies and other insects will ingest this as well

17. Who Are Forensic Scientists?
Two types:
Enlisted (sworn police officers)
Civilian
As forensic science became more technical, civilians were hired because it became difficult to recruit scientists to be police officers
Forensic scientists have very little function in evidence collection and rarely attend crime scenes
Forensic scientists have two main duties:
To analyze evidence
To testify in court

19. Testifying In Court
Lay witnesses testify as to what they have perceived with their five senses
They are not to give their opinions!
Expert witnesses have knowledge or skills from education or experience that qualify them to give opinions and draw conclusions
The judge decides if expert testimony is needed and who is qualified to offer it

21. The U.S. Forensic Science System
There are about 400 forensic science laboratories in the U.S.
Most federal crime labs are in the Department of Justice under the control of the attorney general
The FBI is know for having some of the most prestigious forensic science laboratories in the world
The DEA has labs that analyze seized illicit drugs
The secret service has labs to prevent harm to protected people and to prevent counterfeiting and credit card fraud

22. The U.S. Forensic Science System (2)
The Department of the treasury has crime labs
The BATF labs have some of the world’s leading experts in fire and explosive analysis
IRS crime labs specialize in the area of questioned documents
handwriting, typewriting and printers, inks, and papers
The Dept. of the Interior has crime lab to investigate poaching and hunting
Each of the 50 states has a public crime lab system and most have locally controlled facilities

24. Private Forensic Crime Laboratories
Private labs usually work for the defendants
Only the prosecutor has access to the local or state public laboratory
The private labs perform a service to the criminal justice system by providing resources for those accused of crimes

25. Organization of Forensics Labs
Typical forensic science labs have
An intake section
Analysis areas
Other sections

26. INTAKE SECTION
An intake officer logs evidence into LIMS and affixes a barcode (Laboratory Information System)
Chain of custody for physical evidence must be authenticated
There must be proof that the evidence seized at a crime scene is the same evidence that appears in court
An improper chain of custody can be grounds to render evidence inadmissible
Considerations are made before testing so that one test does not ruin the conditions for another
A gun may need to be test fired, fingerprinted, and have blood removed. The order is important!

28. ANALYSIS AREA This is the familiar laboratory setting
Each scientist will have a designated area of the lab for evidence handling
There are lots of instruments, glassware, implements, and scientists in white lab coats and safety glasses

30. OTHER LAB SECTIONS
Some labs may have a garage where cars can be kept for inspection and searching
Many firearms sections have huge stainless steel tanks that are full of water
These are used to test-fire weapons for comparison with bullets or cartridges from crime scenes
Some large labs have collections of seized weapons as well as ammunition
There may also be interrogation rooms where polygraph tests are performed

32. CAREERS Becoming a forensic scientist requires education and training
Crime lab forensic scientist
Forensic pathologist
Forensic anthropologist
Forensic odontologist
Forensic Engineer

33. Crime Lab Forensic Scientist
Entry level requirements include a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, or forensic science and 1-2 years of experience or a master’s degree with less experience
The job market is very competitive and a master’s degree is preferred

34. Forensic Pathologist
Graduate from college with an excellent academic record (4 years)
Graduate from medical school (4 years)
Complete a residence in pathology (4 years)
Complete a residency in forensic pathology (1 year)

35. Forensic Anthropologist
Few crime labs can afford to hire a full-time forensic anthropologist
A lab may hire you full time if you have another specialty (trace evidence, DNA typing, etc.)
Most obtain a Ph.D. and teach at a university and handle cases part-time

36. Forensic Odontologist
This is similar to the route for a forensic pathologist except that you would complete dental school instead of medical school
There are very few residencies in forensic odontology
You would need to work with the police on an as-needed basis

37. Forensic Engineer
Require an education in engineering (the more the better)
Usually, Ph.D.s are in demand
Most forensic engineers have their own companies that are hired by prosecutors or defendants