INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE

What is “Forensic” Science Forensic – comes from the Latin word “Forensis” meaning used in open court, public therefore: Forensic Science – the application of scientific principles and techniques to the criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system

Criminalist = Forensic scientist CSI effect: dramatization of forensic science on television has led to public perception that every crime will yield evidence and produces an unrealistic view of the criminal justice system

Key Aspects to Forensic Investigation Observation: process of observing something or someone carefully to gain information Inference: a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning

Analysis of Evidence Classification: identification of objects based on general characteristics Example: shoe print in mud is classified as a running shoe due to tread pattern Individualization: identification of objects based on unique characteristics Example: Same muddy shoe is now matched to a certain person due to unique wear marks created over continued use

Past vs. Present Crime investigation was simpler due to small towns and villages and travel was limited Everyone knew everyone else in small rural areas Fewer people could get away with crime Variety of crimes was limited

1900’s-1920’s 1880’s-1920’s 1950’s-1970’s 1920’s-1940’s

Crime in the Present Large populated urban areas Travel has increased due to convenience Increase in crime variety due to: Technology Education Access to materials Social media Being anonymous is EASY!

1990’s-2000’s 1980’s 2000’s-present

Modern Crime Solving Serves 3 purposes: Solves how the crime was committed Convicts the guilty Exonerates the innocent We do not live in a perfect world. “The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

In the Beginning Mathieu Orfilla (1840) Writes 1st scientific paper on detecting poisons Father of Toxicology - detection of poisons in body fluids, tissue, or organs.

Most Influential People in Forensic Science Dr. William Bass (1971) This man has solved many high profile cases as well as the education of some of the most high-profile forensic scientists in this country through the University of Tennessee’s Forensic Anthropology Center, which he started in 1971. His specialties include research into human osteology, human decomposition and the roles they play in answering questions about a person’s death. Sir Francis Galton- (1892) first person to develop a system for classifying the ridge characteristics on the hands (Fingerprinting)

Albert S. Osborn- (1929) developed the fundamental principles applied to document examination Paul Jeserich- (1898) develops forensic chemistry Alec Jefferys (1984) discovered repeating patterns in genetic material that later became known as genetic fingerprinting Karl Landsteiner- (1901) discovers the ABO blood groups

Alphonse Bertillon (1882) created first system of physical measurements, photography, and record keeping for personal identification August Vollmer (1907) developed a training program to deal with proper collection, preservation, and handling of evidence Mikhail Gerasimov (1925) introduced major advancements for forensic facial reconstruction by creating facial reconstructions of famous historic figures Calvin Goddard (1929) created the comparison Microscope which made way for firearm identification and matching

Edmond Locard (1910) the Sherlock Holmes of France Developed a key concept to crime scene evaluation and evidence analysis. He stated that in every crime materials are transferred between criminal, victim, and location which became known as the (Locard Exchange Principle) professor at the University of Lyons, set up the first police crime laboratory in France in 1910 Became the first full time forensic scientist in Lyon, France

Locard’s Principle “Every contacT leaves a trace”

Physical Evidence Triangle: CRIME SCENE Physical Evidence establishes links CRIMINAL VICTIM

Know your role… Forensic scientists do NOT do the job of police They DO: Collect and preserve evidence Analyze evidence in lab Testify at trials as expert witnesses Train police officers Continue to train in their field