1 / 24

Introduction to Forensic Science

Introduction to Forensic Science. What does “forensic science” mean? The presentation of science or scientific evidence in a public forum (court of law) Dates back to China, 1248. Sherlock Holmes. Fictional character developed by author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Pat_Xavi
Télécharger la présentation

Introduction to Forensic Science

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Introduction to Forensic Science

  2. What does “forensic science” mean? • The presentation of science or scientific evidence in a public forum (court of law) • Dates back to China, 1248

  3. Sherlock Holmes • Fictional character developed by author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. • First to apply serology, fingerprinting, firearm identification, and questioned- document examination • All of this - from fiction - before accepted by real-life criminal investigations.

  4. Mathieu Orfila - 1813 • Father of Toxicology • Lafarge Trial (Marie) - arsenic • Book: Traite des poisons or Toxicologie general - first scientific study of the detection and pathological effects of poisons - established toxicology as a distinct field of forensic science.

  5. Alphonse Bertillon - 1879 • The father of criminal identification • Developed anthropometry - using body length measurements as unique properties - took 243 separate measurements • Method was coined “Bertillonage”

  6. Francis Galton • Fingerprinting • Developed methodology for identification using the friction ridges on fingers • Basics still used today • His work has been enhanced by Sir Edward Henry - father of modern fingerprinting • Henry developed a filing method for storing fingerprint patterns/records prior to computer storage capabilities

  7. Leone Lattes - 1915 • Blood testing - used technique developed by Dr. Karl Landsteiner • Bloodstains - developed method to determine blood type from dried blood • Discovered that blood typing could be used as a means of identification

  8. Calvin Goddard - 1920s • Individualization of weapons • Firing pin marks on shell casings • Refined the technique of bullet comparisons with the gun from which it was fired

  9. Albert S. Osborn • Handwriting expert - established the fundamental principles of document examination. • Challenged the notion of “told” rather than “shown”

  10. Hans Gross • First real life “scientific detective” - described the application of scientific disciplines to the field of criminal investigation • Austrian lawyer • Coined the term “Criminalistics”

  11. Hans Gross • Wrote about: forensic medicine toxicology, serology, ballistics, and anthropometry • Suggested using: mineralogists, ecologist, and botanists

  12. J. Edgar Hoover • Reorganized the Bureau of Investigations in 1924 • Included fingerprint cards • 1932 now FBI • Organized a national laboratory that aimed to offer forensic services of all law enforcement agencies

  13. Edmond Locard • Locard’s Exchange Principle - whenever two objects come in contact, material will be exchanged between them. • Every criminal can be tied to crime by dust particles carried from the scene • Ex: counterfeit coins - metal found that matched those of the coins found on 3 suspects clothes - confronted with evidence - they confessed

  14. Evidence: What is it? • Direct: evidence in the form of a statement made under oath - also known as testimonial evidence. • Physical evidence: any object or material that is relevant in a crime. • Locard’s Principle • Class vs. Individual Evidence

  15. What is it good for? • Physical evidence • Prove crime has been committed • Corroborate testimony • Link suspect to victim or crime scene • Establish identity of persons associated with crime • All reconstruction of crime

  16. Class Evidence • Consistent with a particular source • The more class evidence that fits the criminal - the better • Hair • Fibers • Soil • Glass fragments

  17. Individual • Individualized to a single, specific source • No doubt as to what the source is • Fingerprints • DNA • Handwriting • Voiceprints • Always involves a comparison - an exemplar • Piece of evidence taken from known source

  18. Rules of Evidence • Admissible evidence must be • Relevant - must prove something (probative) and address the issue of the particular crime (material) • Reliable • Presenter must be credible and competent

  19. Scientific Evidence • Frye Standard • Interpretation of evidence must be given by an expert witness & have gained “general acceptance” in that particular field of study • Frey vs. U.S., 1923: court must decide if the handling of evidence are “generally accepted” by a meaningful segment of the relevant scientific community

  20. Scientific Evidence • Daubert Ruling • Daubert vs. Merrill Dow Pharmaceuticals • Applies to federal courts & some states • Judge determines admissibility • Guidelines for Judge • Scientific theory or technique must be testable. • Must be subject to peer review and publication • Rate of error must be stated • Technique must follow standards • Consideration as to whether there is widespread acceptance in scientific community

  21. Common Acronyms in Forensic Science • AAFS-American Academy of Forensic Science • DNA - Deoxyribonucleic Acid • RNA - Ribonucleic Acid • CODIS - Combined DNA Index System • AFIS-Automated Fingerprint Identification System • IBIS - Integrated Ballistics Identification • FBI-Federal Bureau of Investigation

  22. More Acronyms • DEA - Drug Enforcement Administration • ATF - (Bureau of)Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms • USPS - United States Postal Service • USF&W - United States Fish & Wildlife(Service) • PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction (DNA) • RFLP - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism • STR - Single Tandem Repeats (DNA)

  23. More Acronyms • SSA - Social Security Administration • IRS -Internal Revenue Service • BSPA - Bloodstain Pattern Analysis • DOA - Dead On Arrival • DUI - Driving Under the Influence • TOD - Time Of Death • PMI - Post Mortem Interval • DRT - Dead Right There • B&E - Breaking & Entering

More Related