1. Observation Skills Chapter 1
“In school, every period ends with a bell.
Every sentence ends with a period.
Every crime ends with a sentence.”
Stephen Wright, comedian

2. Was someone stealing the trees?
Read case – page 2
Answer the following questions:
List all the evidence that was found in this case.
What evidence was the most valuable in convicting the suspect?
What tools did the investigator used to gather evidence?

3. Objectives
1.1 Define observation and describe what changes occur in the brain.
1.2 Describe examples of factors influencing eyewitness accounts of events.
1.3 Compare the reliability of eyewitness testimony with what actually happened.
1.4 Relate observation skills to their use in forensic science.
1.5 Define forensic science .
1.6 Practice and improve your observation skills.

4. Introduction
Observe
Interpret
Report
observations

5. Sometimes our brains play tricks on us.
What is Observation?
Our senses
Sight
Taste
Hearing
Smell
Touch
Why are we not aware of all the information our senses are gathering at any time?
We cannot pay attention to everything at once.
We apply a filter.
We pay attention to what is important to us.
Sometimes our brains play tricks on us.

9. Filter
How information is processed in the brain:

10. Observations by Witnesses
Key component of any crime scene.
Perceptions of witnesses can be faulty.
Our emotional state influences our ability to see or hear what is happening around us.
Upset, happy, depressed
Anxiety, fear, etc.

11. Power of Observation Activity
The success of a police lineup depends on an eyewitness’s ability to recognize a person seen at a crime.
Test your Memory
Power of Observation Activity

12. Classwork - Eyewitness
Make a list of factors that could affect our observational skills .
Explain why eyewitness accounts of a crime often differ.
Define observation in your own words.
Which factors could affect witness accounts?
Name 3 ways you can use to improve your observation skills?

13. Eyewitness Accounts Observational Skills Activity
Learning to See – C lick Here

14. Activities
Activity 1-1 Learning To See – page 15

15. Activities
Activity 1-2 You’re an Eyewitness– page 16

16. The Innocence Project
Gary Dotson was the first individual shown to be innocent by The Innocent Project.
Read the story of
Gary Dotson
Click ↑
Here

17. The Innocence Project
Click here to connect
to website

18. Classwork: How to be a good observer?
Make a summary of basic tips to improve our observational skills.
(Refer to pages 7-8)
Faces Exercise

19. Observations in Forensics
Forensic Science is the study and application of science to matters of law. “Science in the service of law”
Is the scientific study of evidence to discover the facts in a criminal or civil manner.
The word forensic is derived from the Latin “forensis” meaning forum, a public place where, in Roman times, senators and others debated and held judicial proceedings.
The term forensics and criminalistics can be used interchangeably.

20. Classwork:What Forensic Scientists Do?
Read Page 9 and make a list of what forensic scientists do. (Use bullets)
What does the letters CSI stand for?
What is the difference between a fact and an opinion? Give an example. (not found in textbook)
What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative data? Give an example. (not found in textbook)
Work will be grade it. Don’t forget to turn it in.

21. Classwork: Case Studies and Review
Read “The Carlo Ferrier” and “Three Wrongful Conviction” case studies. State in your own words how eyewitness evidence impacted each case. (Pages 10-11)
Copy and answer the review questions. (Pages 13-14)
Turn in your classwork.