chapter 1 Flashcards
forensic science
application of science to criminal and civil laws
CSI effect
dramatization of forensic science on TV, leads to public having unrealistic expectations
expert witness
a person who is permitted to testify at a trial because of special knowledge or proficiency in a particular field that is relevant to the case
steps of scientific method
formulate question
make hypothesis to answer question
experiment to test hypothesis
hypothesis validity = suitable evidence
early development of forensics
-3rd century China has earliest records (fingerprint)
-limited knowledge of anatomy and pathology hindered advances until the 17/18th century
Francis Galton contribution
studied fingerprints, human intelligence, and eugenics
Leonne Lattes
determined blood types from dried blood cells
Calvin Goddard contributions
used comparison microscope to link bullets to guns
Osborne contributions
developed principles of document checking and examination
Edmund Locard contributions
father of forensics
Locard’s exchange principle: every contact leaves a trace
Alphonse Bertillon contribution
bodily measurements as identification
initial scientific advances in forensics
-1st procedure for detection of sperm
-1st test for hemoglobin and blood
-able to be used in criminal trials (1839: detection of arsenic in body (rat poison))
20th century forensic advances
-discovered 4 blood groups
-increased awareness of cross contamination (Locard’s principle)
-microscope becomes prevalent
modern forensic advances
-computer increased human knowledge
-DNA typing for identification useful for small amounts of physical evidence
Sir Alec Jefferies contribution
DNA typing for identification
currently, how many public operational crime labs are there?
about 400
what are the different levels of forensic labs in government
federalist
municipal
county
functions of a forensic scientist
-performs job in lab, courtroom to pursuade jury and accept conclusions
-apply principles of natural and physical science
-analyze evidence
-unbiased
-expert witness
-express co-opinion on findings significance
-train law enforcement personnel in proper recognition, collection, presentation of findings
Frye standard
evidence must be generally accepted by scientific community
not “absolute,” room for variation
Frye v. US set what?
guidelines for determining admissibility of scientific evidence in a courtroom
Daubert standard criteria
can technique/theory be tested?
has technique been subject to peer review and publication?
techniques potential rate of error
existence and maintenance of operation standards
did theory/method attract widespread acceptance in relevant scientific community?
what case was the Daubert standard set by?
Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical Inc.
Steven Avery overview
American labourer who served 18 years in prison (1985–2003) for rape and attempted murder before his conviction was overturned because of DNA evidence. In 2005 he was charged with murder in a different case and was found guilty two years later.
Ted Bundy overview
American serial killer who kidnapped, raped, and murdered dozens of young women and girls during the 1970s. After more than a decade of denials, he confessed to 30 murders. The total number of his victims is likely to be higher
what and how succinylcholine is used for
skeletal muscle relaxant
used to relax muscles during surgery or while on a breathing machine
modus operandi
a method of operation or pattern of criminal behavior so distinctive that separate crimes or wrongful conduct are recognized as the work of the same person
Bertillonage system
a system for identifying persons based on bodily measurements, photographs, and notation of data
criminalistics
the application of scientific methods to the recognition, collection, identification, and comparison of physical evidence generated by criminal or illegal civil activity
digital and multimedia forensic sciences
forensic services encompassing the preservation, repair, acquisition, processing, analysis, clarification, and reporting of information stored on evidence in an analog or digital format
engineering forensic science
application of engineering principles and science used in the investigation of failure
general forensic science
the use of scientific methods or expertise to investigate crimes or examine evidence that might be presented in a court of law
jurisprudence
composed of lawyers and judges who are involved in forensic science issues in their professional lives
forensic odontology
highly experienced, specially trained dentists who use their expertise to help identify unknown remains and trace bite marks to a specific individual
forensic pathology/bio
analyze the medical history of the deceased individual and crime scene evidence and witness testimonials, perform an autopsy to assess whether death was caused by injury or disease, as well to collect further evidence from the body
physical forensics
the science behind crime detection
anthropology
involves applying skeletal analysis and techniques in archaeology to solving criminal cases
behavioral science
study when and why individuals engage in specific behaviors by experimentally examining the impact of factors such as conscious thoughts, motivation, social influences, contextual effects, and habits
questioned documents
any document that may be disputed or queried on the basis of authenticity or origin, and contains markings from handwriting, typewriting, computer printing, or copywriting
toxicology
field of science that helps us understand the harmful effects that chemicals, substances, or situations, can have on people, animals, and the environment
