Module 1 Introduction to Forensic Science

Criteria used to establish someone as an expert witness:

- education - number of years of experience in the field - membership in professional organizations - book and publications authored

What is testimony?

A testimony is a verbal statement given under oath.

Edmond Locard

Brought to the forefront the issue of cross-contamination. Locard's Exchange Principle states that there is an exchange of materials when two objects come into contact with each other.

700

Chinese Fingerprinting

1248

Chinese Medical Solution

Calvin Goddard

Discovered how to use a comparison microscope to improve this technique to better match bullets.

1932

FBI National Lab

Leone Lattes

Figured out a way to determine the type of blood from a dried bloodstain and began applying the new test to criminal investigations.

1892

Fingerprint Classification

1923

First U.S. Crime Lab

Forensic Psychiatry

Focuses on the relationship between human behavior and criminal justice

In 1927, Charles Lindbergh became the first man to fly alone, non-stop, across the Atlantic Ocean. He became an American hero, but his fame didn't save him from personal tragedy. In 1932, Lindbergh's 20-month-old son was kidnapped. The family paid a $20,000 ransom, but the body of the child was discovered almost two months later in the woods close to the family's home. Which modern area of forensics might give you information about when the child died?

Forensic Etomology

Forensic analysis provides information that helps law enforcement officers and other officials make decisions. For example, forensic scientists may help __________________understand how a death took place.

Forensic analysis provides information that helps law enforcement officers and other officials make decisions. For example, forensic scientists may help prosecutors understand how a death took place.

Forensic scientists give testimony not only from_______________________, but also on evidence that they have analyzed using ___________________________________________________________.

Forensic scientists give testimony not only from personal knowledge, but also on evidence that they have analyzed using their specialized scientific knowledge and training.

1910

Locard's Exchange Principle

Forensic Odontology

Provides insight into the identification of individuals through their teeth

Mathieu Orfila

Published work on poisons and how they affect animals in 1814. The work was the first recorded instance of forensic toxicology. The father of toxicology. Made contributions to the development of testing for the presence of blood and was one of the first individuals to use a microscope to examine blood.

Digital Forensics

Recovers and investigates evidence found on devices like laptops and smartphones

Francis Galton

Studied fingerprints and developed a methodology for their classification. Published a book in 1892 that showed the uniqueness of fingerprints and how they could be used for identification.

Forensic Sociology

The application of social science to criminal investigations Aka criminology

Forensic Anthropology

The identification and examination of skeletal remains

The _____________________ law, from the __________________________________________ or OSHA, ensures that forensic technicians are given material safety data sheets and all necessary information to safely handle and dispose of potentially dangerous materials, such as toxic chemicals. Each chemical is labeled, classified, and categorized in the lab inventory.

The right-to-know law, from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA, ensures that forensic technicians are given material safety data sheets and all necessary information to safely handle and dispose of potentially dangerous materials, such as toxic chemicals. Each chemical is labeled, classified, and categorized in the lab inventory.

Forensic Pathology/Biology

The study of sudden, unexplained, or violent deaths

This makes forensic scientists expert witnesses. As an expert witness, the forensic scientist is ____________________________ for telling _________________________________________________________________________________________.

This makes forensic scientists expert witnesses. As an expert witness, the forensic scientist is ethically responsible for telling the truth, regardless of which side benefits from their testimony.

Forensic Entomology

Uses the study of insects to help criminal investigations

While the primary role of forensic scientists is to ___________ and _____________ evidence found at a crime scene, they may also be called upon to ____________________________ or train ________________________________________ on how to record and collect evidence.

While the primary role of forensic scientists is to collect and analyze evidence found at a crime scene, they may also be called upon to give expert testimony or train other law enforcement professionals on how to record and collect evidence.

autopsy

a dissection and examination of the body to determine how a person died

pathology

a science that deals with disease

testimony

a verbal statement given under oath

expert witness

someone whom the court deems has special knowledge relevant to the case - knowledge that an ordinary person would not have

forensic science / forensics

the application of science to the criminal justice system