1. Forensic Science- application of science to legal questions (criminal or civil) T. Trimpe 2006 http://sciencespot.net

2. CRIME SCENE: Any physical location in which a crime has occurred or is suspected of having occurred. Source: http://www3.sc.maricopa.edu/ajs/crime_scene_technician.htm PRIMARY CRIME SCENE: The original location of a crime or accident. SECONDARY CRIME SCENE: An alternate location where additional evidence may be found. ALIBI: Statement of where a suspect was at the time of a crime. ACCOMPLICE: Person associated with someone suspected of committing a crime. SUSPECT: Person thought to be capable of committing a crime. Crime Scene Vocabulary

3. Testimonial evidence includes oral or written statements given to police as well as court testimony by people who witnessed an event. Physical evidence refers to any material items that would be present at the crime scene, on the victims, or found in a suspect’s possession. Trace evidence refers to physical evidence that is found in small but measurable amounts.. Source: http://www3.sc.maricopa.edu/ajs/crime_scene_technician.htm What will evidence collected at a scene do for the investigation? May prove that a crime has been committed Establish key elements of a crime Link a suspect with a crime scene or a victim Establish the identity of a victim or suspect Corroborate verbal witness testimony Exonerate the innocent Give detectives leads to work with in the case Types of Evidence

4. Locard Exchange Principle  when two objects come into contact with one another, an exchange of matter takes place.  Physical evidence can link suspect, victim, crime scene, and objects to one another

5. Direct Evidence - first hand observations Eyewitness accounts Video Confessions Circumstantial Evidence – indirect evidence that can be used to imply a fact but that does not directly prove it. Physical or biological evidence

6. Class Evidence – narrows an identity to a group of persons or things Individual Evidence – narrows an identity to a single person or thing Can only belong to one person Categorize the following: DNA Blood type Fingerprints

7. POLICE OFFICERS are typically the first to arrive at a crime scene. They are responsible for securing the scene so no evidence is destroyed and detaining persons of interest in the crime. They will also separate and hold available witnesses for detectives. The CSI UNIT documents the crime scene in detail and collects any physical evidence. The DISTRICT ATTORNEY is often present to help determine if any search warrants are required to proceed and obtains those warrants from a judge. The MEDICAL EXAMINER (if a homicide)may or may not be present to determine a preliminary cause of death. *usually a pathologist. SPECIALISTS (forensic entomologists, anthropologists, or psychologists) may be called in if the evidence requires expert analysis. DETECTIVES interview witnesses and consult with the CSI unit. They investigate the crime by following leads provided by witnesses and physical evidence. Source: http://science.howstuffworks.com/csi.htm Crime Scene Personnel

8. 1.Securing the Scene. Log who comes in the secured area 2.Separating the Witnesses 3.Scanning the Scene 4.Seeing the Scene (photos, videos) 5.Sketching the Scene 6.Searching for Evidence Grid, linear or spiral pattern search Vacuum cleaner with clean bag, tweezers 7.Securing and Collecting Evidence Seven S’s of Crime Scene Investigation

9. Crime Scene Sketches 1. Rough - a draft representation of all essential info and measurements at a crime scene 2. Finished - a precise rendering of the crime scene using CAD (computer-aided drafting) drawn to scale require Title or caption Legend of abbreviations Numbers of letters used Designate North direction Measurements from 2 fixed points Documentation block with case number, offense type, victim’s names, location, date and time, and sketcher’s name

13. Packaging Evidence 1.Create proper size bindle (“druggist fold”) 2.Place bindle inside a plastic or paper bag. 3.Fill out Evidence/Chain of Custody Log 4.Fold bag closed. 5.Place a seal over the folded edge of the evidence bag. 6.Sign and date seal.

14. Chain of Custody Is a list of all persons who come in possession of an item of evidence Must be established whenever evidence is presented in court –The evidence container must be marked for identification –The collector’s initials should be placed on the seal –If evidence is turned over to another person, the transfer must be recorded

15. Obtaining Reference Samples A standard/reference point is physical evidence whose origin is known, such as hair from a suspect that can be compared to a hair found at the crime scene –Exists with blood, glass, soil, fibers, paint chips, etc

16. Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914) “Father of Anthropometry” Developed a system to distinguish one individual person from another based on certain body measurements.

17. Edmond Locard (1877-1966) “ Father of the Crime Lab”“ Father of the Crime Lab” In 1910, he started the 1 st crime lab in an attic of a police station in Paris, France.In 1910, he started the 1 st crime lab in an attic of a police station in Paris, France. With few tools, he quickly became known world-wide to forensic scientists & criminal investigators & eventually founded the Institute of Criminalistics in France.With few tools, he quickly became known world-wide to forensic scientists & criminal investigators & eventually founded the Institute of Criminalistics in France. His most important contribution was the “”His most important contribution was the “ Locard’s Exchange Principle ”

18. 18 Frye Standard (1923) For the results of a scientific technique to be admissible, the technique must be sufficiently established to have gained “general acceptance” in its particular field. Collection of experts called in to testify about the validity of scientific issues Books and papers written on subject reviewed and discussed.

19. Federal Rules of Evidence (1975) RULE 702. TESTIMONY BY EXPERT WITNESSES A witness who is qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education may testify in the form of an opinion or otherwise if: (a) the expert’s scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will help the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue; (b) the testimony is based on sufficient facts or data; (c) the testimony is the product of reliable principles and methods; and (d) the expert has reliably applied the principles and methods to the facts of the case.

20. Federal Rules of Evidence To be admissible: Must be… Probative: Material:

21. Daubert Ruling (1993) “general acceptance” or Frye standard no longer absolute prerequisite. Trial judge given the task of ensuring an expert testimony rests on a reliable foundation, is relevant to case, and is not repetitive, inflammatory or unnecessarily confusing. (gatekeeper)

22. Mock Crime Scene: http://www.masss.govhttp://www.masss.gov What evidence would you collect? Circle the items you would collect and then explain how you would use them to gather clues about the crime.