1. Forensic Science Introduction to forensics

2. Learning outcomes Be able to describe a range of forensic methods Describe how SOCO’s avoid contaminating a crime scene

3. What do they do? Property crime – burglary, fraud, robbery, fire, vehicle crime Serious crime – murder, suspicious death, sexual offense Drug related crime Road crime – drink driving Organised crime – terrorism Hi-tech crime – computer or electronic Investigate and detect crime – catch crooks and free the innocent

4. There’s been a murder!

5. What does a SOCO do? SOCO – Scene Of Crime Officer –Employed by police First to arrive Observe crime scene Records facts and materials Must collect samples properly to ensure courts accept the evidence

6. How did they… Restrict access to scene? Stop contamination of evidence? Carry out reliable sampling of evidence?

7. How did they… Used tape to seal off the crime scene –Police = blue, Crime scene = yellow Wear paper suits, gloves, overshoes, masks to prevent their own traces contaminating scene All evidence in sealed, labelled containers –Photographed and videod

8. What evidence? Fingerprints Impressions –Footprints Hair Fibres Glass fragments Chemical compounds Blood DNA

9. National DNA Database (NDNAD) DNA obtained from crime scene Suspect – mouth swab 2 DNA profiles compared to NDNAD Any match found could lead to conviction Used for a whole range of crimes –Murder, sexual assault, car crime

10. Fingerprints on gun DNA & blood group from blood stain Shoe size from footprint Fingerprints on window frame Fingerprints on glass