Chapter 1 - Intro & Legal Aspects Flashcards
Anthropometry
The scientific study of the measurements of the human body
Binding Precedent
A decision from a higher case that must be followed by lower courts in similar cases.
C. Auguste Dupin
The first fictional detective created by Edgar Allen Poe.
Criminalistics
Application of scientific methods for the recognition, collection, identification, individualization, and interpretation of physical evidence and the law
CSI Effect
Theory that proposes that TV shows based on forensic science has made jurors (irl) more reluctant to vote to convict when “not enough” forensic evidence is available
Frye Case
- Dr. Brown is shot by James Frye.
- 7 months later Frye is captured during an armed robbery.
- Crude version of lie detector is made by Frye’s lawyer; measured only blood pressure and heart rate.
Frye Standard
- 1923 case
- Set the standard of admissibility of scientific evidence in court
- Required general acceptance by the scientific community
** RELEVANT FIELD OF SCIENCE became the decider
Daubert Case
Group of people who had taken Bendectin (morning sickness drug prescribed during pregnancy) claimed that the meds had caused birth defects in their babies
Daubert Standard
- Allows for scientific evidence to be admitted into a courtroom w/o the general acceptance of the scientific community.
- 3 standards: the scientific basis, relevance, and a judge as “gatekeeper.”
Scientific basis (Daubert)
Evidence must be based on scientific data; the scientific method.
Relevance (Daubert)
A connection must exist between evidence and the issue at hand.
Judge as “Gate Keeper” (Daubert)
A judge determines if the evidence meets these standards.
Joiner Case (results)
- Set the standard to require that experts limit their opinions to straightforward explanations of the data
- Court may limit how far an expert is allowed to “stray” from the relevant data or commonly accepted practice
Khumo Tire Case
- A plaintiff claimed that an automotive tire blowout (and subsequent accident) resulted from a defective tire.
- The tire’s manufacturer (Khumo) was blamed.
- The plaintiff’s “expert” used a method that was not considered scientifically valid or tested.
Melendez-Dias Case
- The prosecutor in a drug case introduced the chemical analysis from the crime lab, claiming that the substance seized during arrest was cocaine.
- The analysis was completed using standard practice, sworn before a notary public and submitted to the court.
- The defense argued that the analyst should testify against the defendant in person.
