1. Pros & Cons of Testimonial Evidence
Eyewitness Basics
Pros & Cons of Testimonial Evidence

2. Do Now (2 mins) Who are these people? In 2-3 sentences, write…
- Their approximate age(s)
How much money they make
What they talked about
What some of them do for a living

3. Do Now (Part 2) (2 mins)
In 2-3 sentences, write…- Their approximate ages
- How much money they make
- What some of them do for a living

4. Good Observations vs. Bad Observations
What is a good observation?
What is a bad observation?
Assumptions
Inferences

5. What is testimonial evidence? The Bunny Effect CBS News Video
Testimonial evidence includes oral or written statements given to police as well as testimony in court by people who witnessed an event.
The Bunny Effect CBS News Video

6. What is an eyewitness account?
Eyewitness accounts are what a witness sees with his or her eyes.

7. Stop and Jot (3 mins)
Stop and Jot
In your notebook, answer this question:
In the court of law, how reliable would you expect an eyewitness account to be?
WHY? sentences

8. The Bunny Effect

9. Tell me what the bunny effect says about the human brain
In Your Notebook…
Tell me what the bunny effect says about the human brain

10. Do Now (5 mins) Define: eyewitness testimony
2. Describe why an eyewitness testimony might NOT be the most reliable testimony in a case

11. Testing your Attention
Watch the video, and count specifically HOW MANY TIMES THE BALL IS PASSED BY THE WHITE SHIRTS

12. After Watching the Video…
STOP AND JOT
Tell me what exactly you think selective attention means

13. Memory Challenge Directions:
You will have 30 seconds to view the next screen.
Try to memorize all 20 items you see!
You are NOT allowed to write anything down
You CANNOT talk to anyone else.

14. 20 Items to remember ...

15. You have 2 minutes to list as many of the items as you can!
What do you remember?
You have 2 minutes to list as many of the items as you can!
How did you do?
All 20 – Awesome
15-19 – Great
10-14 – Pretty swell
5-9 – Could be better
4 or Less – Wake up
Teacher Note: Try to influence the students’ memory of the items. As they are writing down the items they remember, suggest two or three items that were not shown, such as a banana (on the info slide), a nail (goes with hammer), or pen (instead of the pencil). As you go over the correct items, ask the students if they added any of the ones you told them to remember. Tie this into the discussion (next slide) on how a person’s memory can be affected by another person.

16. In 1-2 sentences, write what you learned from this activity

17. Did you know?
"Eyewitness misidentification is the single greatest cause of wrongful convictions nationwide, playing a role in more than 75% of convictions overturned through DNA testing."
What factors affect a person’s memory and their ability to identify a suspect?

18. Despite how unreliable eyewitness testimony is…
Did you know?
Despite how unreliable eyewitness testimony is…
It is still relied upon in court for investigating and prosecuting crimes

19. WAIT.
If eyewitness testimony is so unreliable, why is it still used in the court of law?

20. Witness Factors
1. Age
may play a role in the accuracy of an eyewitness’ statement or identification of a suspect.

21. Age Studies have shown…
You are more likely to correctly identify someone CLOSER to your age than FURTHER from your age 21

22. On Your Own…
List 2-3 OTHER reasons why you think AGE might change how reliable an eyewitness account might be
THEN…

23. The race of the witness may also play a role.
Witness Factors
The race of the witness may also play a role.
The Cross Race Effect (CRE) is a phenomenon in which people are better at recognizing faces of their own race rather than those of other races.
Source:

24. Witness Factors
The use of drugs can alter a person’s ability to recall the events of a crime even after they are no longer under the influence.
Source:

25. Witness Factors
A person’s memory of an event can be influenced by other witnesses, investigators, and/or the media.
Investigators use open-ended questioning and follow procedures for conducting line-ups to limit their influence on a witness’ memory of an event or identification of a suspect.
Source:

26. Crime Scene & Suspect Factors
A crime that is extremely traumatic for an eyewitness may affect his/her recall of the event. For example, a witness confronted with a weapon tends to focus on the weapon rather than the perpetrator’s face.
Someone who is able to focus on a perpetrator's face for a minute or longer will tend to have a more accurate memory than someone who saw the person for only a few seconds.
Studies have shown that faces that are either highly attractive, highly unattractive, or distinctive are more likely to be accurately recognized. Simple disguises, such as hats or sunglasses, can interfere with accurate eyewitness identification. However, body piercings and tattoos increases the likelihood of an accurate identification.
The time of day in which the crime occurred as well as a person’s view of the scene may affect what a he/she is able to see. In addition, a person who is familiar with the area in which the crime took place, may have a better recall of the positions of the victims or suspects.
Source:

27. Crime Scene Challenge
Now that your eyes and brain are warmed up, let’s test your observation skills a bit more.
You will have 2 minutes to study the photograph of a crime scene on the next slide.
Try to pay attention to details as you will be asked 10 questions about the crime scene!
You are not allowed to write anything down until after the time is up.
Ready?

29. Crime Scene Challenge Questions
1. What color coffee mug was in the picture? Blue Red Yellow
2. When was the deadline? Yesterday Today Tomorrow
3. What time was on the clock on the wall? : : :55
4. How many sticky notes were on the whiteboard? Four Six Eight
5. Which of the following was NOT in the picture? Stapler Trash Can Printer
6. What was the name on the plaque on the desk? Bill Brian Carl
7. What color was the victim's shirt? Black Blue Red
8. How many plants were in the picture? None One Two
9. What was the color of the marker in the desk drawer? Red Blue Green
10. Where was the book in the picture? On a box In the trash can Under the body

30. Answer each question below.
1. What color coffee mug was in the picture? Blue Red Yellow
2. When was the deadline? Yesterday Today Tomorrow
3. What time was on the clock on the wall? : : :55
4. How many sticky notes were on the whiteboard? Four Six Eight
5. Which of the following was NOT in the picture? Stapler Trash Can Printer
6. What was the name on the plaque on the desk? Bill Brian Carl
7. What color was the victim's shirt? Black Blue Red
8. How many plants were in the picture? None One Two
9. What was the color of the marker in the desk drawer? Red Blue Green
10. Where was the book in the picture? On a box In the trash can Under the body
Source:

31. Draw a Penny from Memory
Which is it?

32. Lesson Learned?
The human memory can be spotty at times, and is therefore not the IDEAL witness do a crime
SCIENCE is the ultimate witness to a crime

33. Do Now (5 mins)
Eyewitness testimony has a lot of potential problems. Describe 2.

34. Facial Composites
- a graphical presentation of an eyewitness's memory of a face, as recorded by a composite artist.

35. - Produced by artists and software
Facial Composites
- Produced by artists and software
- used mainly by police in their investigation of (usually serious) crimes

36. Facial Composites vs. Mug Shots

37. Facial Composites vs Mug Shots

38. Facial Composites – What stands out?

39. Facial Composites – What stands out?
For the following slides, list 3-5 specific things that STAND OUT for each suspect

40. Facial Composites – What stands out?

41. Facial Composites – What stands out?

42. Facial Composites – What stands out?

43. Facial Composites – What stands out?

44. Facial Composites – What stands out?

45. Facial Composites – What stands out?

46. Facial Composites – What stands out?

47. On Your Own…
- Facial composites suffer from many of the same problems as eyewitness testimony.
- Describe in 1-2 paragraphs what exactly could be problematic with a facial composite

48. Facial Composites – What stands out?

49. Facial Composites TODAY
Today, facial composites are done on computers through a piece of software called FACES
FACES – A software program that offers many options to help you recreate a person’s facial features.

50. Facial Composites TODAY
- The way that FACES works is a lot like how FACEBOOK/APPLE automatically tags people in pictures 50

51. Describe how facial composites are used in forensic science
Do Now (5 mins)
Describe how facial composites are used in forensic science 51

52. Facial Composites can be used…
A) internally to assist officers in identifying a suspect
B) externally through local media (radio, TV, and newspaper) to solicit leads from citizens. 52

53. -tell me WHY these are things that are looked at so closely
Check-in…
List 4-5 characteristics of an individuals’ face that will always be looked for in a facial composite
-tell me WHY these are things that are looked at so closely 53

54. Crime Scene Vocabulary
Any physical location in which a crime has occurred or is suspected of having occurred.
Source:

55. Crime Scene

56. Crime Scene Vocabulary
PRIMARY CRIME SCENE:
The original location of a crime or accident.
SECONDARY CRIME SCENE: An alternate location where additional evidence may be found.

57. Crime Scene Vocabulary
SUSPECT: Person thought to be capable of committing a crime.
ACCOMPLICE: Person associated with someone suspected of committing a crime.
ALIBI: Statement of where a suspect was at the time of a crime.
Source:

58. Types of Evidence
Testimonial evidence includes oral or written statements given to police as well as court testimony by people who witnessed an event.
Examples: what a witness has to say

59. Types of Evidence
2. 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.
Examples: guns, clothing, shoes

60. Types of Evidence
3. Trace evidence refers to physical evidence that is found in small but measurable amounts, such as strands of hair, fibers, or skin cells.
Examples: DNA, hair

61. Case Study With A Partner…
List AND describe 2 instances of…
Testimonial evidence
Physical evidence
Trace evidence WHY?

62. What is the difference between physical evidence and trace evidence?
Do Now (5 mins)
What is the difference between physical evidence and trace evidence?

63. first to arrive at a crime scene.
Crime Scene Personnel
POLICE OFFICERS …
first to arrive at a crime scene.
- responsible for securing the scene so no evidence is destroyed and detaining persons of interest in the crime.

64. Crime Scene Personnel
The CSI UNIT…
…documents the crime scene in detail and collects any physical evidence.
Source:

65. Crime Scene Personnel
The DISTRICT ATTORNEY
- Helps to determine if any search warrants are required to proceed and obtains those warrants from a judge.

66. - may or may not be present to determine a preliminary cause of death.
Crime Scene Personnel
The MEDICAL EXAMINER
- may or may not be present to determine a preliminary cause of death.

67. Crime Scene Personnel
SPECIALISTS
- (forensic entomologists, anthropologists, or psychologists) may be called in if the evidence requires expert analysis.
Source:

68. interview witnesses and consult with the CSI unit.
Crime Scene Personnel
DETECTIVES
interview witnesses and consult with the CSI unit.
they investigate the crime by following leads provided by witnesses and physical evidence.

69. Crime Scene

70. What is the difference between physical evidence and trace evidence?
Do Now I (5 mins)
What is the difference between physical evidence and trace evidence?

71. Evaluate the statements…
Do Now II (5 min)
Evaluate the statements…

72. When officers arrive at a crime scene…
What are the steps that need to be taken?

73. Step 1: Interview Crime Scene Protocol
The first step in investigating a crime scene is to interview the first officer at the scene or the victim to determine what allegedly happened, what crime took place, and how was the crime committed. This information may not be factual information but it will give the investigators a place to start.

74. Step 2: Examine Crime Scene Protocol
The second step in the investigation of a crime scene, which will help identify possible evidence, identify the point of entry and point of exit, and outline the general layout of the crime scene.

75. Adapted from http://www.feinc.net/cs-proc.htm
Crime Scene Protocol
Step 3: Document
The third step in the protocol involves creating a pictorial record of the scene as well as a rough sketch to demonstrate the layout of the crime scene and to identify the exact position of the deceased victim or other evidence within the crime scene.
Adapted from

76. Step 4: Process Crime Scene Protocol
This is the last step in the protocol. The crime scene technician will process the crime scene for evidence, both physical and testimonial evidence. It is the crime scene technicians responsibility to identify, evaluate and collect physical evidence from the crime scene for further analysis by a crime laboratory.

77. Investigating the Evidence
Forensic Science disciplines at the Illinois State Police Crime Labs
Drug Chemistry – Determines the presence of controlled substances and the identification of marijuana
Trace Chemistry - Identification and comparison of materials from fires, explosions, paints, and glass.
Microscopy – Microscopic identification and comparison of evidence, such as hairs, fibers, woods, soils, building materials, insulation and other materials.
Biology/DNA – Analysis of body fluids and dried stains such as blood, semen, and saliva.
Toxicology – Tests body fluids and tissues to determine the presence of drugs and poisons.
Latent Prints - Identification and comparison of fingerprints or other hidden impressions from sources like feet, shoes, ears, lips or the tread on vehicle tires.
Ballistics (Firearms) – Study of bullets and ammunition through the comparison of fired bullets, cartridges, guns, and gunpowder patterns on people and objects.
Toolmarks – Examines marks left by tools on objects at a crime scene or on a victim, such as a hammer used to break a door or a screwdriver used to pick a lock.
Questioned Documents - Examination of documents to compare handwriting, ink, paper, writing instruments, printers, and other characteristics that would help to identify its origin.
Source:

78. What evidence would you collect?
Mock Crime Scene: