1 Bell Work 1.What is the scientific method? 2.What are you in contact with as you sit at your desk? Make a list. 3.How could you prevent any transfer of material?
2 Introduction to Forensic Science and the Law Ch.1
3 Why are you getting lab-based science credit for this class? It’s all about the scientific method, baby. Observe a problem or questioned evidence and collect objective data. Consider a hypothesis or possible solution. Examine, test, and then analyze the evidence. Determine the significance of the evidence. Formulate a theory based on evaluation of the significance of the evidence. Deductive & inductive reasoning Critical thinking
4 Objectives You will understand: −How crime labs in the United States are organized and what services they provide. −The growth and development of forensic science through history. −Federal rules of evidence, including the Frye standard and the Daubert ruling. −Basic types of law in the criminal justice system. You will be able to: −Describe how the scientific method is used to solve forensic problems. −Describe different jobs done by forensic scientists and the experts they consult.
5 What is forensic science? The study _______________________________________ _______________ Includes the business of providing __________, _________, and thorough __________to all levels of ______________________in our criminal justice system
6 Basic Crime Lab Functions May be government-run at ______________, ___________, or ___________ level, or they can be __________ consulting businesses. Physical science unit − __________________ − Physics − __________________ Biology unit ______________ and ___________unit Document examination unit Photography unit The most common types of evidence examined are __________, ____________, and __________________.
7 “Upgraded” Crime Lab Functions ________________ Polygraph Voiceprint analysis __________ collection Engineering Cybertechnology Geology ________________ __ _______________ Voiceprint analysis Pathology _______________ Psychiatry ________________
8 Not so much.
9 Federal Crime Labs FBI DEA ATF USDA FDA Coast Guard NCIS Regional US Army Criminal Investigation
10 Federal Crime Labs Secret Service U.S. Border Patrol US Postal Service US Fish & Wildlife DoD Computer Forensics CIA Computer Forensics
11 Basic Principle of Forensic Science: Locard Principle ______________(1877–1966) French professor Considered the father of ________________________ Built the world’s first forensic laboratory in France in ______ _______________________: −Whenever two objects come into contact with each other, there is always a transfer of material.
12 The Crime Scene Team Team members: −First police officer on the scene −Medics (if necessary) −Investigators −Medical examiner or representative (if necessary) −Photographer and/or field evidence technician −Lab experts: pathologistserologist DNA experttoxicologist forensic odontologistforensic anthropologist forensic psychologistforensic entomologist firearm examinerbomb and arson experts document and handwriting expertsfingerprint expert
13 Types of Crimes ________________: minor offense or petty crime; penalty is usually a fine _________________: minor crime punishable by fine or jail ______________: major crime punishable by fines and/or more than one year in prison
14 Types of Law We Will Encounter ____________________ law* ___________law* ____________ law or case law* __________ law Equity law Administrative law
15 The Bill of Rights 1 st Amendment: Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, right to petition 2 nd Amendment : Militia, right to bear arms 3 rd Amendment: Quartering of Troops 4 th Amendment: Protection from unreasonable search and seizure 5 th Amendment: Due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, eminent domain 6 th Amendment: Trial by jury, rights of the accused, speedy trial, public trial, confrontation, right to counsel 7 th Amendment: civil trial by jury 8 th Amendment: prohibition of excessive bail, cruel & unusal punishment 9 th Amendment: enumeration of rights 10 th Amendment: powers of states and people
16 Miranda Rights At a minimum: −_____________________________________ _____________________________________ −_____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ −right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you.
17 Admissibility of Evidence: Federal Rules of Evidence Evidence has to be __________________ In order for scientific evidence to be __________ in a court of law, it must be: −______________: actually proves something −______________: addresses an issue that is relevant to the particular crime
18 Admissibility of Evidence: Frye Standard ______________________________, 1923 Scientific evidence is allowed into the courtroom if it is generally accepted by the___________scientific community. −The Frye standard ___________offer any guidance on reliability. −The evidence is presented in the trial and ________________if it can be used.
19 Admissibility of Evidence: Daubert __________________________________, 1993 The ___________ decides if the evidence can be entered into the trial. Admissibility is ___________ by: −Whether the theory or technique can be __________ −Whether the science has been offered for ____ review −Whether the rate of error is _______________ −Whether the method at issue enjoys widespread _______________ −Whether the theory or technique follows ___________
20 Expert Witness ______________________________________. Functions in court: −Establish credibility through __________, background ________________. −________________ evidence. −Render an ________ about the evidence. −The judge may __________ or ___________ the opinion’s significance.
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22 Facets of Guilt: Prove it! To prove a case, the “___________” must be established; it must be shown that the suspect had: −____________—person had a reason to do the crime (not necessary to prove in a court of law) −____________—person had the ability to do the crime −__________________—person can be placed at the crime scene
23 So What Do You Think? A man took a slug of what he thought was whiskey. It wasn’t. It was concentrated sulfuric acid. Was a crime committed?