Exam 1 Flashcards
Forensic Science
The application of science to matters involving the criminal and civic justice systems and court.
What does the root of forensic mean?
“public”
Private Forensic Science Labratories
Specialize in 1-2 types of evidence, serve the public, independently owned. (Universities)
Public Forensic Science Labratories
Test many types of evidence, not open for public use only that of the government. (FBI forensics lab)
Forensic Scientists Duty
- Preform scientific analysis of evidence and give expert testimony in legal proceedings
- Understand methods and requirements of good science
- Knowledge of specific techniques used in particular disciplines
- Know rules of evidence and court procedures
ANAB
ANSI National Accreditation Board
ASCLD
American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors
ASTM
American Society for Testing Materials
ISO
International Organization for Standardization
ABC
American Board of Criminalists
AAFS
American Academy of Forensic Science
FEPAC
Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission
OSAC
Organization of Scientific Area Committees
Bias
Preference for or against a person, thing, group, idea, or behavior.
Do humans have the ability to turn off their own bias?
No
What are the 3 types of bias?
Cognitive, contextual, and confirmation
Why are there ethical issues in forensic laboratory analytical procedures?
While there are set standards, forensic scientists are not required to use them?
Forensic Criminalistics
Physical evidence obtained from crime scenes.
Forensic Pathology/Biology
Physicians who determine cause and manner of death.
Forensic Odontology
Use dental records in identification.
Forensic Anthroplogy
Analysis of skeletal remains.
Forensic Jurisprudence
Application of forensic science to law.
Forensic Questioned Documents
Authentication of written documents, money, identification cards, etc.
Forensic Nursing Science
Application of scientific expertise, technical assistance, medicolegal education, and research pertaining the the consequences of human violence and social justice.
Forensic Engineering Sciences
Investigate structural failures and reconstruct accidents.
Forensic Toxicology
Identify drugs and poisons in the body, aid forensic pathologists.
Forensic Psychiatry and Behavioral Science
Preform polygraph, psychological crime scene investigation, and psychological profiling.
Forensic Digital and Multimedia Sciences
Study digital and multimedia evidence.
General Forensic Science Branches
Crime scene investigators, forensic vets, educators, forensic entomologists, etc.
FRE 104a
Court does preliminary questioning concerning qualification of witnesses, existence of privilege, and admissibility of evidence.
FRE 401
Defines relevance, or the tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence.
FRE 402
If evidence is NOT relevant it is NOT admissible
FRE 403
Non-probative evidence can be excluded (if the evidence was not collected under the correct means).
FRE 701
A non-expert witness testimony is limited to only being opinions and perceptions, NOT FACTS
FRE 702
If evidence is presented by an expert witness it is based on facts and reliable methods.
FRE 703
Expert witnesses can give opinions.
4th Amendment
Unreasonable searches and seizures are not allowed and can not be used as evidence in court (evidence found without a search warrant).
5th Amendment
You can not tried for the same thing twice, or be forced to act as a witness against himself.
6th Amendment
Right to speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, in the state the crime was committed.
