Chapter 1 Flashcards
Application of science to the criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system
Forensic science
Caused the public to believe that every crime scene will produce evidence, produces unrealistic expectations that a prosecutor’s case should always be bolstered and supported by forensic evidence
CSI effect
Had influence on popularizing scientific crime detection methods through Sherlock Holmes
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Father of toxicology
Mathieu Orfila
Devised the first scientific system of personal identification; developed anthropometry
Alphonse Bertillon
A systematic procedure of taking a series of body measurements as a means of distinguishing one individual from another
Anthropometry
Undertook the first definitive study of fingerprints and developed a methodology of classifying them for filing
Francis Galton
Devised a relatively simple procedure for determining the blood group of a dried blood stain
Leone Lattes
Established the comparison microscope as the indispensable tool of the modern firearms examiner
Calvin Goddard
Developed the fundamental principles of document examination
Albert S. Osborn
Advocated for applying microscopy to analytical problems, particularly forensic science cases
Walter C. McCrone
Wrote the first treatise describing the application of scientific disciplines to the field of criminal investigation
Hans Gross
Demonstrated how the principles enunciated by Gross could be incorporated within a workable laboratory
Edmond Locard
Whenever two objects come into contact with one another, there is exchange of materials between them
Lo card’s exchange principle
Analyzes drugs seized in violation of federal laws regulating the production, sale, and transportation of drugs
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
Analyze alcoholic beverages and documents relating to alcohol and firearm excise law enforcement and examine weapons, explosive devices, and related evidence to enforce the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
Maintains laboratories concerned with criminal investigations relating to the postal service
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Applies principles and techniques of chemistry, physics, and geology to the identification and comparison of crime-scene evidence
Physical science unit
Identifies and performs DNA profiling on dried bloodstains and other bodily fluids, compare hairs and fibers, and identify and compare botanical materials such as wood and plants
Biology unit
Examines firearms, discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells, and ammunition of all types
Firearms unit
Studies the handwriting and typewriting on questioned documents to ascertain authenticity and/or source
Document examination unit
Examines and records physical evidence
Photography unit
Examines body fluids and organs to determine the presence or absence of drugs and poisons
Toxicology unit
Processes and examines evidence for latent fingerprints when they are submitted in conjunction with other laboratory examinations
Latent fingerprint unit
A unit that conducts lie detector tests
Polygraph unit
Ties telephoned threats or tape-recorded messages to a particular suspect
Voiceprint analysis unit
This unit dispatches specifically trained personnel to the crime scene to collect and preserve physical evidence that will later be processed at the crime scene laboratory
Crime-scene investigation unit
A process to ensure the careful and systematic collection, organization, and analysis of information
Scientific method
The court must decide whether the questioned procedure, technique, or principle is “generally accepted” by a meaningful segment of the relevant scientific community
Frye standard
The US Supreme Court asserted that “general acceptance”, or the Frye standard, is not an absolute prerequisite to the admissibility of scientific evidence under the Federal Rules of Evidence
Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The court unanimously ruled that the “gatekeeping” role of the trial judge applied not only to scientific testimony, but to all expert testimony
Kumho Tire Co., Ltd. v. Carmichael
A medical examiner discovered a high concentration of succinic acid. The defense argued that this evidence is inadmissible because the test was new. The court rejected this argument because the test was novel and devised specifically for this case
Coppolino v. State
An individual whom the court determines to possess knowledge relevant to the trial that is not expected of the average lay person
Expert witness
Addressed the practice of using evidence affidavits or laboratory certificates in lieu of in-person testimony by forensic analysts
Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts
A recorded statement by a spouse was used against her husband in his prosecution. Crawford argued that this was a violation of his right to confront witnesses against him under the sixth amendment and the court agreed
Crawford v. Washington
A specialized area in which the relationship between human behavior and legal proceedings is examined
Forensic psychiatry
Help identify victims when the body is left in an unrecognizable state; analyze dental records to identify remains or tie bite marks to a suspect
Forensic odontology
Concerned with failure analysis, accident reconstruction, and causes and origins of fires or explosions
Forensic engineering
Involves the identification, collection, preservation, and examination of information derived from computers and other Digital devices, such as cell phones
Forensic computer and digital analysis
