Forensic Science Introduction Unit I Forensic Science by

Forensic Science Introduction Unit I • Forensic Science by definition is the application of science to criminal and civil laws that are enforced by a criminal justice system. – 1. our gov’t regulates many activities- quality of food, nature of drugs, pollution emissions, H 2 O, pesticides. – 2. science occupies an important role in our judicial system. 1

Forensic science- Unit I • History and the Development of Forensic Science: Important Figures in History– Sir Arthur Conan Doyle- developed the fictional character- Sherlock Holmes. Applied the newly developing principles of serology, fingerprinting, firearm identification, and – and questioned-documentation long before their value was first recognized and accepted by reallife criminal investigators. – Mathieu Orfila- (1787 -1853) “Father of Toxicology”- published works on the detection 2 of poisons and their effects on animals.

Forensic Science Unit I – Alphonse Bertillon- (1853 -1914) developed science of anthropometry, a systematic procedure of taking body measurements as a means of identifying one person from another. – Francis Galton- (1822 -1911) first definitive study of fingerprints and developed a way of classifying them. – Leone Lattes- (1887 -1954) Devised a procedure for determining the blood group of a dried blood stain. – Calvin Goddard- (1891 -1955) Devised the comparison microscope used to determine 3

Forensic Science- Unit I – whether a particular gun has fired a bullet. The comparison microscope allows firearms examiners to compare the bullet with one that has been shot from a suspect’s weapon. – Albert S. Osborn- (1858 -1946) Developed fundamental principles of document examination which led to documents as scientific evidence being accepted by the courts. – Walter C. Mc. Crone- (1916 -2002) applied microscopy to analytical problems, particularly forensic sciences cases. – Edmond Locard- (1877 -1966)- believed that when a criminal came in contact with an object 4

Forensic Science- Unit I – or person, a cross-transfer of evidence occurred. (Locard’s Exchange Principle) He believed that every criminal could be connected to a crime by dust particles carried from the crime scene. 5

Important Services in a Forensics Crime Lab • In 1932 the FBI was organized. Its aim was to offer forensic services to all law enforcement agencies. It is the largest lab in the world. • There are 4 major government crime labs: • 1. FBI • 2. US Postal Service • 3. Drug Enforcement Admin. Lab • 4. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives 6

Forensic Science - Unit I – Physical Science Unit-criminalists use chemical tests and modern analytical instrumentation for the examination of drugs for drug identification, glass, paint, explosives, and mineral analysis for soil identification. – Biology Unit- biologists and biochemists identify and DNA profile dried blood stains and other body fluids, compare hairs and fibers, and identify and compare botanical items such as wood or plants. 7

Forensic Science Unit I – Firearms Unit- examination of firearms, discharged bullets, cartridge cases, , shotgun shells, and ammunition of all types. Garments and other objects are also examined in order to detect firearm discharge residues and to approximate the distance from a target at which a weapon was fired. – Documentation Examination Unit- Authenticity and/or source of handwriting or typewriting on questioned documents is examined. • Analysis of paper, ink, indented writings, erasures, burned or charred writing invisible to the eye. 8

– Photography Unit- used to examine and record physical evidence and to prepare photographic exhibits for courtroom presentations. • Digital imaging- use of infrared, x-ray, UV to make info. Visible to the eye. 9

• Services of the Crime Lab: Optional Services Forensic Science- Unit I – Toxicology Unit- Body fluids and organs are examined to determine the presence or absence of drugs or poisons. – Latent Fingerprint Unit- processes and examines evidence for latent fingerprints. • Left at the scene, not imprinted. – Polygraph Unit- Lie detector – Voiceprint Analysis Unit- With telephone threats or taped messages, voiceprint analysis can tie the voice to a particular suspect. – Evidence-Collection Unit- Coll. , preserves evid. 10

Forensic Science- Unit I • Functions of Personnel Involved in Criminology – Forensic Scientist- must effectively analyze many types of evidence during a criminal investigation, while being aware of the demands and constraints of the judicial system. May be required to testify as an expert witness. • Procedures and techniques must satisfy the criteria of admissibility set by courts- very specific. • Must demonstrate ability and competence in court. • Sometimes an opinion based on experience. • CSI- gather evidence at crime scene. 11

• Police- Every officer engaged in field work (traffic, petrol, investigation or juvenile control) will often have to collect and process evidence for laboratory examination. Training police for this task is very important. • Forensic Pathology- in their role as a medical examiner, or coroner, forensic pathologists need to determine the injuries present, when, how, and why were the injuries produced, and what was the cause of death. Autopsies are often performed to establish the cause of death. – Death is deemed suspicious or unexplained. Ex. - gun in hand shotgun wound- suicide? Murder? Could be toxicological or suffocation. 12

• Time of Death – Livor mortis- pooling of blood in areas closest to the ground – Algor mortis- rate at which the body loses heat. 1 -11/2º F per hour until environ. temp. – Rigor mortis– manifests in 24 hours. • Shortening of muscle tissue- stiffness • Disappears after about 36 hours. Pine plains 13

Forensic Science- Unit I – Forensic Anthropology- concerned primarily with the identification and examination of human skeletal remains. • Identify gender, race, age • Bones are durable, slow decomposition – Facial reconstructions – Forensic Entomology- The study of insects and their relation to a criminal investigation. Time of death can often be determined by studying what insects inhabit the body and by determining the 14

Forensic Science- Unit I – development stage of the insect. – Blowflies are the first to inhabit a dead bodyeggs are laid and larva emerge- larva eat remains. – Forensic Psychiatry- evaluate behavioral disorders and determine whether people are competent to stand trial. Also examine behavioral patterns of criminals as an aid in developing a suspect’s behavioral profile. 15

– Forensic Odontology- study the characteristics of teeth, their alignment, and the overall structure of the mouth to provide evidence for identifying a specific person. Also perform bite mark analysis. • Teeth are the hardest part of the body. Compare dental records to suspected victim’s dental records. – Forensic Engineering- concerned with failure analysis, accident reconstruction, and causes and origins of fires or explosions. » CSI Effect » wildlife forensic science 16