 Forensic Science

What is the relationship between science and the law?  Discuss the functions of the forensic crime lab  Understand key contributions to the evolution of forensic science  Define the role of the forensic scientist  Discus the various types of law and the difference in admissability of evidence

Forensic Science  Forensic science: the interactions of science and the law

Vocabulary  Anthropology : study of the human race, including physical features  Psychiatry: dealing with mental disorders  Odontology : dealing with the anatomy and physiology of the teeth  Pathology: the study of disease and conditions of the body  Entomology : study of insects  Palynology : study of pollen and spores  Ballistics : study of trajectory of an object

Ballistics

Jobs in Crime lab  Most done by police officers  Only call state lab for murder  May use civilians for  Chemistry  Medical examiner

Crime Labs  State crime lab  Large cities have labs  Post office  FBI has largest crime lab  DEA  ATF  US fish and wildlife

A forensic scientist may….  Have a degree in the sciences  Have an advanced degree in Forensic Science  Work in the police force

Law  US Constitution overrules laws of individual states  Bill of Rights: 1 st 10 amendments to the Constitution  1. Freedom of religion  2. The Right to bear arms  3. Protection from housing troops  4. Protection from unreasonable search and seizure  5. Due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination  6. Trial by jury, speedy, rights of the accused (criminal) 7. civil  8. Prohibit excessive bail and cruel, unusual punishment  Protection of Rights of 9. people 10. States

Law  Statutory law: law that starts as a bill, signed into law  Common law: set by precedent in court. Clears up the written law

Law  Civil v. criminal law  Civil: deals with contracts, custody, divorce  Criminal: crimes against a person (robbery, assault, murder)  Civil: can be filed by anyone (person, organization)  Criminal: district attorney  Civil: punishment: fine  Criminal: punishment: probation to death penalty  Misdemeanor: minor crime up to 1 year in prison  Felony: major crime: up to death penalty

Marijuana law  DECRIMINALIZED: for people  over 18 to  possess less than an ounce or marijuana.  Used to be a misdemeanor,  now get “violation”

Anti-bullying law  Define bullying:  Repeated  Power imbalance  Teachers, nurses, bus drivers: mandated reporters  School must have written plan of action

Steps in pursuit of justice  Arrest: may be first or may happen later  Booking: photo, fingerprint  Arraignment: charges explained, enter plea: 72 hours  Guilty: hearing before judge for sentencing  Not guilty: evidenciary hearing before judge or before: TRIAL  Grand jury: decide if there is enough evidence to go to trial. In murder trial always get grand jury  Court : trial goes to court

Miranda Rights  Right to remain silent  2. Anything you do or say may be used against you in the court of law  3. You have right to consult an attorney before speaking to police and have an attorney present  4. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to you  5. If you decide to answer questions without an attorney present, you still have right to stop at anytime until you talk to an attorney  6. Knowing and understanding your rights as I have explained them to you, are you willing to answer my questions without an attorney present?

Arrest & Booking

Arraignment

Locard principle  Every contact leaves a trace  Whenever two objects come into contact, there is always a transfer of material.  He believed: a criminal could be connected to a crime by trace evidence  Foundation of forensic science

Evidence  Frye standard:  General acceptance in the scientific field  Jury decide how much value it has in court  Daubert standard:  Must be testable  Must have undergone peer review (acceptance by scientists in the field)  Scientist must give the rate of error (to the court, jury)  JUDGE decides if evidence meets the criteria (allow in court)