1. INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 1900’s-1920’s
1880’s-1920’s
1950’s-1970’s
1920’s-1940’s

8. 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!

9. 1990’s-2000’s
1980’s
2000’s-present

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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 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)

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Locard’s Principle
“Every contacT leaves a trace”

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

18. 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