An Introduction to Forensics

Definition Criminalistics Forensic Science is the application of science to those criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system.

Criminalistics In the crime lab the principles and techniques of the physical and natural sciences are practiced and applied to the analysis of crime-scene evidence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_58XsN6XJWQ

The Importance of Forensic science Crimes committed daily Many people falsely accused and convicted each year Forensic Scientists work to solve crimes, bring justice, and to convict the CORRECT people

History and Development of Forensic Science Ancient Times: No standardized forensic practices Many criminals escaped justice Relied on confessions, testimony, torture Used saliva and examination of mouth and tongue to determine innocence

History and Development of Forensic Science - Enlightenment: criminal investigations became more evidence based and had a rational procedure 1784: conviction of John Toms who killed Edward Culshaw with a pistol…forensics used to match pistol and pistol wad Different tests began to develop to test blood and fingerprints

History and Development of Forensic Science Jack The Ripper 1888 serial killer in London Huge case in helping with the development of forensic science Female prostitutes throats cut with abdominal mutilations The killer was never found

History and Development of Forensic Science Mathieu Orfila Father of forensic toxicology, published the first scientific treatise on the detection of poisons and their affects on animals.

History & Development of Forensic Science Alphonse Bertillon Devised the first scientific system of personal identification through anthropometry, series of body measurements (later replaced by fingerprinting in 1900s).

History & Development of Forensic Science Francis Galton Undertook the first definitive study of fingerprints and developed methodology of classifying them for filing. Published Finger Prints in 1892.

History & Development of Forensic Science Leone Lattes Designed a simple procedure for determining the blood types A, B, and AB. Calvin Goddard Refined the technique of comparing bullets using a comparison microscope.

History & Development of Forensic Science Albert S. Osborne Developed the fundamental principles of document examination. Also authored the book, Questioned Documents.

History & Development of Forensic Science Hans Gross Wrote the first treatise describing the application of scientific disciplines to the criminal investigation.

History and Development of Forensic Science Sir Alec Jeffreys British geneticist Developed techniques for RNA fingerprinting and DNA profiling 1984 – DNA could be used to identify individuals and tell them apart

History & Development of Forensic Science Developed a crime lab in Lyons, France in 1910, using Hans Gross‘ principles. *Considered the father of criminalistics *Locard Exchange Postulate Whenever two objects come into contact with each other, traces of each are exchanged. Edmond Locard

J. Edgar Hoover History & Development of Forensic Science Director of the FBI; established a national laboratory aimed at offering forensic services to all law enforcement agencies J. Edgar Hoover

21st Century Forensic Science has become more efficient with increased technology Laser scanners, drones, photogrammetry, reconstruction of crime or accident scenes Larger databases

Organization of the Crime Lab There are approximately 320 public crime labs operating at various levels of government.

Organization of the Crime Lab Four major federal crime labs FBI DEA maintains the largest crime laboratory in the world Drug Enforcement Administration Laboratories ( dept. of Justice) – analysis of drugs seized in violation of federal laws USPS ATF USPIS Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (Department of Treasure) - analyzing alcoholic beverages and documents relating to tax law enforcement, as well as for examining weapons, explosive devices, and related evidences US Postal Inspection Service- criminal investigation related to the postal service

Services of the Crime Lab Physical Science Unit Applies principles and techniques of chemistry, physics and geology for identification and comparison of crime scene evidence.

Services of the Crime Lab Biology Unit Identification and DNA profiling of dried blood stains and other bodily fluids; comparison of hair and fibers and other botanical materials.

Services of the Crime Lab Firearms Unit Examination of firearms, discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells and ammunition of all types. Also detect firearm discharge on garments and other objects.

Services of the Crime Lab Document Examination Unit Study of handwriting and typewriting to ascertain authenticity and/or source.

Services of the Crime Lab Photography Unit Examine and record physical evidence using digital imaging, infrared, ultraviolet and x-ray photography.

Services of the Crime Lab Toxicology Unit Examination of body fluids and organs to determine the presence or absence of drugs and poisons.

Services of the Crime Lab Latent Fingerprint Unit Processing and examining evidence for latent (invisible) fingerprints.

Services of the Crime Lab Polygraph Unit The lie detector has become an essential tool to the criminal investigator.

Services of the Crime Lab Voiceprint Analysis Unit A sound spectrograph transforms speech into visual graphic display called a voiceprint.

Services of the Crime Lab Evidence Collection Unit Trained personnel are dispatched to the crime scene to preserve and collect evidence.

Forensic Science Specialist Forensic Pathologist Uses application of microscopy to determine cellular changes in tissues Performs autopsy Determines time of death looking at: Livor mortis-settling of blood in the body in areas closest to ground Algor mortis- process in which body temp cools by 1-1½ º F per hour until reaching room temp. Rigor Mortis- stiffening of body parts . **Also known as the Medical Examiner

Services of the Crime Lab Forensic Anthropologist Identifies and examines the human skeletal remains to determine: Origin, Sex, Race, Age, and Injury Also creates Facial Reconstructions.

Services of the Crime Lab Forensic Entomologist Study of insects and decomposition as to their relation to a criminal investigation. Can estimate time of death.

Services of the Crime Lab Forensic Psychiatry/Profiling Evaluation of behavioral disorder and to determine whether a person is competent in civil and criminal cases. Examines behavioral patterns of criminals as an aide in developing a suspect’s profile.

Services of the Crime Lab Forensic Odontology Provide identification of victims through characteristics of teeth, alignment, and mouth structure when compared to dental records. Also does Bite Mark Analysis.

Services of the Crime Lab Forensic Engineering Accident Reconstruction Failure Analysis Causes of Fire and Explosions

Services of the Crime Lab Ballistics Experts- studies everything to do with firearms Forensic Serologists- studies blood groups and other bodily fluids Services of the Crime Lab

Services of the Crime Lab Fingerprint experts- dactyloscopy (the study of fingerprints) Crime Scene Photographers- aka identification officer or id technician; uses specialized cameras Services of the Crime Lab

Services of the Crime Lab Forensics Chemist Services of the Crime Lab Forensic Chemist Chemical analysis of physical evidence

Services of the Crime Lab Forensic Artist Forensic Sculptor Draw the likeness of a person based solely on an eyewitness description or aging a photograph Reconstructs with modeling clay the appearance of the face from the structure of the skull

Services of the Crime Lab Forensic linguist Analyze written and aural communications to identify who is speaking, the speakers intent, and if two communications came from the same person Forensic Geologist Studies soil samples