1. Forensic Science
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

2. Learning Objectives
Describe how the scientific method is used to solve forensic problems.
Provide examples of the growth and development of forensic science through history.
Understand the relationship between our legal system and prosecution of criminals.

3. What is forensic science?
The study and the application of science to matters of law.

4. Criminology
Includes the psychological angle: studying the crime scene for motive, traits, and behavior that will help to interpret the evidence

5. So what does a crime lab look like?
Physical science unit
Chemistry
Physics
Geology
Biology unit
Firearms and ballistics unit
Document examination unit
Photography unit
The most common types of evidence examined are drugs, firearms, and fingerprints.

6. What specialties are found in a crime lab?
Forensic pathology
Forensic anthropology
Forensic entomology
Forensic psychiatry
Forensic odontology
Forensic engineering
Cybertechnology
Geology
Environmental science
Palynology
Polygraphy
Voiceprint analysis

8. Federal Crime Labs FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation
DEA: Drug Enforcement Agency
ATF: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
USPS: United States Postal Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of Homeland Security
Department of the Treasury

9. Scientific Method in forensic science
Observe a problem or questioned evidence and collect objective data.
Consider a hypothesis or possible solution.
Examine, test, and then analyze the evidence.
Determine the significance of the evidence.
Formulate a theory based on evaluation of the significance of the evidence.

10. The Locard’s Principle
Locard's principle holds that the perpetrator of a crime will bring something into the crime scene and leave with something from it, and that both can be used as forensic evidence.

11. Criminal justice and the law
Statutory law passed by bodies such as Congress. Based on the Constitution.
Common law based on judicial opinions or precedents
Civil law based on non criminal suits to preserve individual or civil rights
Criminal law concerned with offenses against an individual that are not acceptable to society
Misdemeanor = minor crime – minor possession of drugs
Felony = major crime such as murder

12. The Bill of Rights Guarantees;
Presumed innocent until proven guilty
Not to be searched unreasonably
Not to be arrested without probable cause
Against unreasonable seizure of personal property
Against self-incrimination
To fair questioning by police
To protection from physical harm throughout the justice process
To an attorney
To trial by jury
To know any charges against oneself

13. Steps in pursuing justice
Miranda rights – police must inform arrestees that they have the right to remain silent and a right to an attorney.
Steps involved in court cases
Arraignment – defendant hears charges and enters plea
Evidentiary hearing – evidence presented and charges filed or dismissed.
Grand jury decides whether to indict
Plea bargain – a defendant pleads guilty in return for a lesser charge

14. Admissibility of Evidence
Evidence must be probative (must prove something. Hearsay is inadmissible.
The Daubert Ruling – used mostly in federal courts
The judge decides if the evidence can be entered into the trial. Admissibility is determined by:
Whether the theory or technique can be tested
Whether the science has been offered for peer review
Whether the rate of error is acceptable
Whether the method at issue enjoys widespread acceptance
Whether the theory or technique follows standards

15. Key Vocabulary terms Criminalistics Probable cause
Evidence Miranda rights
Forensics Arraignment
Pathology Grand jury
Entomology Indict
Odontology Probative
Toxicology Arson
Locard Principle Hearsay
Criminal law Expert witness
Civil Law Frye Standard
Misdemeanor Daubert ruling/Junk science
Felony