1. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 1 x Fall Semester Period 6/7 Period 6/7

2. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 2 The History of Forensic Science Forensic Science is t he application of a broad spectrum of sciences to answer questions of interest to a legal system. DDeveloped through use of science to convict criminals; r rr rather than depending on witness testimony. SSherlock Holmes (fictional) was inspired by a forensic scientist & teacher of the author CCSI, The Mentalist, Criminal Minds, etc… B.C. Times Archimedes may have used his principle of buoyancy

3. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 3 The Types of Forensic Science “Forensics” can be applied to any field of work In this class we are focusing on the departments that deal with Hair Fibers /Textiles Fingerprints DNA Serology (blood) Biological (trace such as pollen or skin) Toxicology Document Impressions All require excellent observation and deductive reasoning

4. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 4 Chapter 1 Observation Skills By the end of this section you will be able to: Define o oo observation and describe what changes occur in the brain Describe examples of factors influencing eyewitness accounts of events Compare the reliability of eyewitness testimony with what actually happened

5. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 5 What we are doing today… Relate observation skills to their use in forensic science Define forensic science Practice and improve your observation skills

6. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 6 The forensic examiner must be able to  Find —identify the evidence  Document —record the evidence  Interpret —accurately determine the significance of the evidence Notes

7. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 7 What Is Observation? How do we observe?

8. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 8 What Is Observation? Our brains can filter out information. Point out some of the details in this photo. Significant Vs Insignifican t

9. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 9 What Is ? How information is processed in the brain

10. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 10 What Is Observation? Our brains fill in gaps in our p pp perception (interpretation of sensory information) oIoIn order to make sense of what we perceive, our brains often enrich with detail what we see, taste, hear, smell, or feel oAoAoAoAfter an event, we can believe things were part of the background even though they were not

11. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 11 What Is Observation? Our brains apply previous knowledge to new situations What assumptions can you make about this scene? How might those assumptions be wrong?

12. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 12 Observations by Witnesses Observations are affected by: emotional o Their emotional states (peers) o Whether they were alone, part of a group, or near others (peers) (distraction) o What type of and how much activity was going on around them (distraction) o Factual Vs Opinion

13. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 13 Fact Vs Opinion

14. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 14 Eyewitness Accounts o Crime-scene reports often vary, due to: level of interest stress concentration amount and kind of distractions present prejudices personal beliefs motives any lapse in time since the event Examples??

15. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 15 STOP o Who Dunnit Video

16. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 16 How to be a Good Observer 1. Observe systematically oSoStart at one part of a crime scene and run your eyes slowly over every space oLoLook carefully at details of each piece of evidence oDoDo not assume you will remember everything

17. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 17 How to be a Good Observer 2. Turn off filters oCoConsciously pay attention to all details oDoDo not pay attention to just what you think is important oAoAll details are potentially important

18. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 18 How to be a Good Observer Collect Information first, interpret data later o Look for patterns and make connections o More information yields better interpretations o Prejudices exist everywhere— eyewitness accounts your own thinking processes

19. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 19 How to be a Good Observer Documentation, Documentation, Documentation o Write down and photograph as much information as possible o Be aware that memory is faulty o Remember that our brains tend to fill in gaps in our perceptions

20. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 20 Observations in Forensics o Study situations o Find clues in ordinary details o Work backwards from the evidence to what led up to the crime o Be patient o Practice

21. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 21 The Innocence Project o Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, o Beginning in 1992, used DNA to examine post-conviction cases o Faulty eyewitness identifications accounted for up to 87% of the wrongful convictions

22. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 22.............. Summary.... o The environment and our natural sensory filters affect our ability to observe o Eyewitness reports can be correct, faulty, or a little of both o Acquiring good observation skills takes practice and training

23. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 23

24. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1 24.................. Summary o Forensic scientists: Find and Document Evidence Evaluate and Interpret Provide expert testimony to courts