Introduction to Forensic Science Definition and Scope, history and development, crime labs, careers

Definition and Scope Forensic Science is the application of science to criminal and civil law. Forensic science applies the knowledge and technology of science to the definition and enforcement of the rules of law to regulate the activities of our society. What is the difference between civil law and criminal law? Which do you think is most offensive? List some criminal activities you know.

History and Development The roots of Forensic Science go back many centuries One of the earliest records comes from 3rd century China: Yi Yu Ji (“A Collection of Criminal Cases.” The Chinese were also among the first to recognize the potential of fingerprints as a means of identification. Limited knowledge of anatomy and pathology hampered the development of forensic science until the 17th century. Marcello Malpighi, 1686 University of Bologna, Italy: Identified the different characteristics of fingerprints, but not as an identification tool. Initial Scientific Advances 1798 Francois-Emanuel Fodere, chemistry; 1775 Carl Wilhelm Scheele devised first successful test for detecting arsenic in corpses 1814, Mathieu Orfila published a scientific treatise on the detection of poisons and their effects on animals. He is considered the grandfather of forensic toxicology, because his treatise established forensic toxicology as a legitimate scientific endeavor.

History and Development 19th Century Breakthroughs 1879 Alphonse Bertillon- combined anthropology and morphology to create a systematic procedure that involved taking a series of body measurements as a means of distinguishing one individual from another called anthropometry. Why do you think this system is important? Although two others hypothesized similar claims, in 1892 Francis Henry Galton published a book titled, Finger Prints, which contained the first statistical proof supporting the uniqueness of his method of personal identification. His book went on to describe the basic principles that form the present system of identification by fingerprints. Ironically, the most popular forensic expert was fictional character Sherlock Holmes, who applied the newly developed principles of serology, fingerprints, firearms, identification, and interrogation long before their value was recognized and accepted by real investigators.

History and Development 20th Century Breakthroughs 1901-Karl Landsteiner-blood typing 1910-Edmond Locard-Locard’s Exchange Principle: When two objects come into contact with each other, a cross-transfer of materials occurs. Walter C. McCrone used microscopy, often in conjunction with other analytical methodologies, to examine evidence in thousands of criminal and civil cases. Colonel Calvin Goddard refined the techniques of firearms examination by using the comparison microscope. Goddard’s work allowed investigators to determine whether a particular gun has fired a bullet by comparing the bullet with one that has been test-fired from the suspect’s weather. This has since become an indespensible tool. Sir Alec Jeffreys developed the first DNA profiling test in 1984, and two years later he applied it for the first time to solve a crime by identifying Colin Pitchfork as the murderer of two young girls. This case also marked the first time DNA profiling established the innocence of a criminal suspect.

Crime Labs Scotland Yard In the United States Four major federal crime labs exist: The FBI (DoJ) is the largerst crime lab in the world. The DEA (DoJ) Laboratories of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (DoJ) The U.S. Postal Inspection Service Units: Physical Science and Biology Units Firearms and Toxicology Units Document examination and Photography Units Latent Fingerprints unit Polygraph and Voice print analysis Units CSI