Forensic Science Unit 1 Section 1: Introduction Forensic Science – applying science to the criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system. Forensic Science – applying science to the criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system.

History of Forensics Chinese were some of the first people to use forensics Chinese were some of the first people to use forensics Marcello Malpighi was first to prepare fingerprint characteristics Marcello Malpighi was first to prepare fingerprint characteristics Carl Wilhelm Scheele made the first successful test for finding arsenic in corpses Carl Wilhelm Scheele made the first successful test for finding arsenic in corpses Mathieu Orfila made forensic toxicology legitimate Mathieu Orfila made forensic toxicology legitimate

Toxicology evidence at trial was first used in 1839 Toxicology evidence at trial was first used in 1839 Photography to document crime scenes began in the 1850s and 1860s Photography to document crime scenes began in the 1850s and 1860s In 1879, Alphonse Bertillon used anthropology and morphology to create Bertillon’s system. In 1879, Alphonse Bertillon used anthropology and morphology to create Bertillon’s system.  Taking measurements of the body to distinguish one person from the other  Used until it was replaced by Galton’s fingerprinting system in the early 1900s

Figure 1–3 Bertillon’s system of bodily measurements as used for the identification of an individual. Courtesy Sirchie Finger Print Laboratories, Inc., Youngsville, N.C.,

Hans Gross in 1893 first wrote about using science in the field of criminal investigating Hans Gross in 1893 first wrote about using science in the field of criminal investigating Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes character used a lot of modern types of forensics to solve crimes in his novels. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes character used a lot of modern types of forensics to solve crimes in his novels.

20 th Century Breakthroughs 1901, Dr. Karl Landsteiner discovered the different blood types. 1901, Dr. Karl Landsteiner discovered the different blood types. –Can you name all 4 types?

Dr. Leone Lattes made a procedure for finding the blood type of dried blood Dr. Leone Lattes made a procedure for finding the blood type of dried blood Albert S. Osborn wrote the first book about documentation examination Albert S. Osborn wrote the first book about documentation examination Edmond Locard created and ran the first crime laboratory. Edmond Locard created and ran the first crime laboratory.  Locard’s Principle – when two objects come in contact with each other, a cross-transfer of material occurs.

Dr. Walter C. McCrone educated thousands of forensic scientist as to how to use the microscope. Dr. Walter C. McCrone educated thousands of forensic scientist as to how to use the microscope. Army Colonel Calvin Goddard refined the techniques of firearm examination using a comparison microscope. Army Colonel Calvin Goddard refined the techniques of firearm examination using a comparison microscope.

Modern Advances Sir Alec Jefferys developed the first DNA profiling test in 1984 Sir Alec Jefferys developed the first DNA profiling test in 1984

Crime Laboratories FBI crime lab is the world’s largest crime lab. It was opened in 1932 FBI crime lab is the world’s largest crime lab. It was opened in 1932 There is no national system of forensics labs. Each law enforcement jurisdiction has their own crime lab. There is no national system of forensics labs. Each law enforcement jurisdiction has their own crime lab. Crime labs can work for prosecutor’s and district attorney’s offices, medical examiner, coroner, universities, or independent agencies. Crime labs can work for prosecutor’s and district attorney’s offices, medical examiner, coroner, universities, or independent agencies.

Growth of Crime labs due to: Difficulty convicting criminals Difficulty convicting criminals Drug related arrests Drug related arrests DNA profiling DNA profiling

Basic Services of the Crime Lab Physical science unit (drugs, glass, explosives) Physical science unit (drugs, glass, explosives) Biology unit Biology unit Firearms unit Firearms unit Document examination unit Document examination unit Photography unit Photography unit

Optional Services of Crime Lab Toxicology unit Toxicology unit Latent fingerprint unit Latent fingerprint unit Polygraph unit Polygraph unit Voice analysis unit Voice analysis unit Crime scene investigation unit Crime scene investigation unit Forensic psychiatry Forensic psychiatry Forensic odontology (teeth/bite marks) Forensic odontology (teeth/bite marks) Forensic engineering Forensic engineering Forensic computer and digital analysis Forensic computer and digital analysis

Functions of Forensic Scientists Analyze physical evidence Analyze physical evidence –Scientific method – a process that uses strict guidelines to ensure careful and systematic collection, organization, and analysis of information. What are the steps of the scientific method? –Determining the admissibility of evidence by testifying in court that a procedure, technique, or principle is generally accepted by the scientific community

Providing Expert testimony Providing Expert testimony  Expert witness – an individual whom the court determines to possess a particular knowledge or skill in a trade or profession that is not expected of the average layperson and that will aid a court in determining the truth of a matter at trial.

Training evidence technicians to collect evidence from the crime scene Training evidence technicians to collect evidence from the crime scene