1. An Introduction to Forensic Science
Criminalistics
An Introduction to Forensic Science

2. General
Forensic science – broadest sense is application of science to law
As law enforcement agencies have expanded patrol/investigative functions to stem crime, looked to scientific community for advice and support
Science’s role relates to its ability to supply accurate & objective information reflecting events that have occurred at a crime

3. Interchangeable terms
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 –better description for the services of a crime laboratory
Two terms can be used interchangeably

5. History and Development of Forensic Science
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle popularized scientific crime-detection methods through Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes applied the newly developing principles of serology (topics relating to blood), fingerprinting, firearm ID, questioned document examination

6. Mathieu Orfila (1787-1853) “Father of Toxicology”
Worked to make chemical analysis a routine part of forensic medicine
Studied asphyxiation, decomposition of bodies, and exhumation
Create tests for presence of blood
1st the use the microscope to assess blood and semen stains

8. Allphonse Bertillon (1853-1914)
He was a forensic criminologist and anthropologist
Created system of physical measurements, photography, and record keeping
ID body by measurements of head, body, shape of facial features, tattoos, scars, etc
Difficult to maintain consistency

9. Bertillon, cont
Created methods of photographing crime scenes and evidence, implemented metric grids
Worked to develop other techniques – handwriting analysis, create compounds to preserve footprints and impressions, ballistics

11. Francis Galton ( )
1st definitive study of fingerprints & developed a methodology of classifying them for filing.
Collected large sample of fingerprints, studied them to get a basis for good comparison
Wrote a book about fingerprinting comparisons and gave statistical proof

13. Leone Lattes ( )
Originally Dr. Karl Landsteiner discovered blood can be grouped into different categories
Lattes developed simple procedure for determining blood “group” of dried blood
This information was then applied to criminal investigations

14. Calvin Goddard (1891-1955) U.S. Army colonel
Refined techniques in bullet analysis by using comparison microscope
Side-by-side analysis of test-fired bullet from suspected weapon and ones recovered from crime scene

16. Albert Osborn (1858-19446) Looked into forgery detection
Courts began to accept presentation of forged documents as scientific evidence

18. Walter C. McCrone (1916-2002) Father of Modern Microscopy
Created procedures for material analysis
Taught thousands of forensic scientist throughout world in application of microscopic techniques
Research on the Turin Shroud

20. Hans Gross (1847-1915) Coined term “criminalistics”
Created a handbook for criminalistics, police officials, magistrates, and integrated everything into one field

21. Edmond Locard ( )
Expanded upon Gross’s fingerprint principles and demonstrated how used in crime lab
He came up with the fingerprint “match” principles
12 concurring points and the print is sharp = certainty
Statistical evidence
Locard’s exchange principle = there is an exchange of material whenever something is touched

23. You’re the Scientist…
Role – You are one of the historical figures in forensic science. Basing your choice on the information in the power-point slides
Audience – A family member. Could be parent, grandparent, sister, brother, etc
Format – A letter. Since these scientists were around long before !
Topic – Boast to the family member how you are your expertise help the police solve a case

24. Here’s how you’ll be graded
Must use the correct format and address the correct audience (5 pts)
As you are bragging to the family member about helping solve the case, elaborate on the case. What was the crime? How did you help? Any specific details you can include? (25pts)