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Published byEdwina Gregory Modified over 8 years ago
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Chapter 1 Introduction to Forensic Science
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Forensic Science Application of science to law Begins at crime scene Also known as Criminalistics
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History of Forensics
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Alphonse Bertillon Father of Criminal Identification Developed ANTHROPOMETRY
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Anthropometry Series of body measurements to distinguish between individuals
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Francis Galton Studied fingerprints & how to classify them
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Calvin Goddard Firearms examiner Studied bullet comparison (Done today with a comparison microscope)
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Edmond Locard Started the 1 st crime lab (France) Developed the Exchange Principle
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Locard’s Exchange Principle When 2 objects come into contact, there is an exchange of materials between them (Cross-transfer of evidence) Criminals can be connected to a crime by particles carried from the crime scene
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Crime Laboratories A. National B. State C. Local
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National Labs (4) 1. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI largest lab in the world) 2. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) 3. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF) 4. U.S. Postal Inspection Service
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State Labs Service the state as well as local communities that cannot afford their own crime lab
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Local Labs Service counties & municipal (cities) agencies Financed by local government Nassau & Suffolk County Crime Labs
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Basic Crime Lab Services 1. Physical Science Unit 2. Biology Unit 3. Firearms Unit 4. Document Examination Unit 5. Photography Unit
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Physical Science Unit Uses chemistry, physics, and geology to identify & compare evidence
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Biology Unit Examines blood & other body fluids DNA profiles Compares hair & fibers Examines botanical materials (plants/wood)
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Firearms Unit (Ballistics) Examines firearms, discharged bullets, cartridge cases, & shotgun shells Searches clothing for gunpowder residue Determines distance a weapon was fired from
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Document Examination Unit Studies handwriting or typewriting Analyzes paper & ink Examines indented writings & burned documents
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Photography Unit Examines & records physical evidence Only black & white photos are shown to jurors
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Optional Services 1. Toxicology Unit poisons/drugs 2. Latent Fingerprint Unit 3. Polygraph Unit lie detector 4. Voiceprint Analysis Unit 5. Evidence Collection Unit CSI
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Evidence & the Courts
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Frye vs. United States (1923) Rejected lie detector evidence Scientific techniques, procedures, & principles must be “GENERALLY ACCEPTED” by majority of scientific community
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Daubert vs. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals (1993) “GENERAL ACCEPTANCE” is no longer absolute Trial judge will act as GATEKEEPER deciding whether evidence is admissible or not
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The Expert Witness A person with knowledge that is not expected from the average individual This is acquired through experience, training, education, or a combination of all 3
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Testimony Ordinary witnesses cannot & must not give their opinions just FACTS Expert witnesses can give their opinions based on scientific facts (but can’t be biased to either side)
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Other Areas of Forensic Science
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Forensic Pathology Investigates sudden, unnatural, unexplained, or violent deaths Tries to answers Who? What? When? Why? How? Via Autopsy
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Types of Death Natural Accidental Homicide Suicide Undetermined????
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Estimating Time of Death
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Rigor Mortis Muscles shorten & body stiffens Appears within 24 hours Disappears within 36 hours
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Livor Mortis Blood settles to areas closest to ground Skin turns a blue/purple color
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Algor Mortis Body starts to lose heat 1-1.5°F per hour until room or outside temperature is reached
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Potassium Levels Rise in ocular (eye) fluid after death Time of death estimated by amount of potassium present
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Forensic Anthropology Identifies & examines human skeletal remains Determines race, sex, age, & injuries Creates facial reconstructions
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Forensic Entomology Studies insects & their relation to death Blow flies lay eggs maggots
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Forensic Psychiatry Determines if people are competent enough to make decisions or stand trial Develop behavioral profiles
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Forensic Odontology Studies teeth & bite marks Useful when a body is unrecognizable
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Forensic Engineering Determines how a crime happened & who is responsible Accident reconstruction
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