Forensic History and Careers Flashcards
DEFINITION: Forensic Science
The application of scientific techniques to the judicial system, particulary
DEFINITION: Forensic Science
The application of scientific techniques to the judicial system, particularly through examining and interpreting civil or criminal evidence
INTRODUCTION: Describe the history.
- Arose from a combination of sciences: Chemistry, medicine, biology pharmacology
- Started to grow by the mid-19th century, through European scientists
- Death investigation was a major contributor to its development
INTRODUCTION: Describe the history (2).
- Most scientists that pioneered forensics = generalists
- Modern era –> Forensic scientists take more of a specialist approach
- Common fields of specialization: trace evidence analysis, forensic toxicology, forensic pathology
Who is Victor Balthazard?
(1852-1950), French
- Medical examiner in Paris
- Helped advance forensic analysis of firearms and hair samples
–> advanced photographic method to ID and compare markings on bullets and firearms
–> wrote first comprehensive book on hair analysis - Developed probability models that verifies the uniqueness of fingerprints
–> probability of 2 individuals sharing the same print (10^60)
Who is Alphonse Bertillon?
(1853-1914), French
- developed first systematic method to identify suspects/criminals
-method based on anthropometry (Bertillonage)
–> use 11 body measurements alongside information + visuals stored on a card for identification - Bertillonage - used throughout the world into the early 20th century, before replacement
Who is Francis Galton?
- credited for developing the first fingerprint classification system
–> Galton’s system = employed by the British government to supplement Bertonillage - Published book ‘Finger Prints’ (1812) - brought fingerprinting to the forefront of criminal identification
- first to classify the basic print patterns of the loop, arch, and whorl
Who is Dr. Calvin Goddard?
(1891-1955), American
- A retired army physician who helped establish scientific examination of firearm evidence in U.S.
–> Bureau of Forensic Ballistics 1925
–> Did many cases EX: Chicago’s Valentine’s Day Massacre - Worked with FBI to develop modern tools used in forensic firearm analysis EX: comparison scope
Who is Hans Gross?
(1847-1915), Austrian
- Invented the term criminalistics to describe forensic analysis of evidence
- Carried a holistic view of forensic science, and was a prototypical generalist
- Published ‘Criminal Investigation’ 1893 (first textbook)
Who is Edmond Locard?
(1877-1966), French
- Criminologist trained in law and medicine
- Focused interest was microscopic trace evidence
—> important for linking people to places - Locard’s Exchange principle: Every person-person or person-place contact results in the transfer of materials between
Who is Mathieu Orfila?
(1787-1853), French, Spanish Forensic Toxicologist
- Considered the founding father of forensic toxicology
- Focused on studying poisons, especially ARSENIC
–> he developed techniques to develop arsenic in tissues/blood/fluids
Who is Sherlock Holmes?
Fictional Detective (Created by Arthur Doyle)
- Played a major role in shaping the public image of forensic science and inspired pioneers
- His stories explored several areas of forensics (trace evidence, questioned documents, forensic biology…
What are the steps of scientific method?
- Formulate a hypothesis
- Test the hypothesis using observation/experimentation
- Based on results, revise hypothesis and repeat
- Continue until data are in agreement with hypothesis
- Sciences begin with data and facts –> hypothesis –> testing method
- This is at the core of scientific research, but does not apply to the justice system
What is the Adversarial system?
- system which lawyers use, they represent one of two rival positions arguing for a cause
- is incongruent with scientific method, place emphasis on different parts of same case
How does Forensic Science bring the Scientific Method and Adversarial System together?
- Helping distinguish evidence from coincidence without ambiguity
- Allowing alternative results to be ranked by some principle basic to the sciences applied
- Allowing for certainty and probabilistic consideration when appropriate
- Disallowing hypotheses more extraordinary than the facts themselves
- Pursuing general impressions to the level of specific details
- Pursuing testing by breaking hypotheses into their smallest logical components, addressing one part at a time
What mindset should Forensic scientists have?
- must reason from a set of given results to their probable explanations
- they need to develop justified explanations (like clinical medicine)
What is CONTRITE FALLIBILISM?
Awareness of how much we do not know, and the humility to acknowledge the possibility of making mistakes
What is the difference between PUBLIC and PRIVATE forensic laboratories?
Public laboratories
- funded by governments (states, cities, countries)
Private laboratories
- businesses that are designed to make profit
What do full-service laboratories typically cover?
- DNA
- Drug analysis
- Firearms
- Trace evidence
- Fingerprinting
NOTE: smaller labs specialize in only one type of evidence/discipline
What is ACCREDITATION and CERTIFICATION?
Accreditation: The lab has agreed to operate according to a professional or industry standard, can show proof of this standard
Certification: The scientist has completed a written test covering their discipline and participates in yearly proficiency tests
What is the difference between CIVIL and CRIMINAL cases?
Civil
- between individuals or parties
Criminal
- involve government entities charging the party responsible for violating criminal laws
—> Prosecution (plaintiff) = party that files criminal charges
—> Defendant = party accused of committing crime
NOTE: FS testify for either case/party
What is a JURISDICTION?
A region over which law enforcement or legal entities can excise authority
What is a TRIER OF FACT?
Jury/judge that comes to a decision based on the evidence
What is a GRAND JURY?
A special jury that can decide if the evidence against a defendant warrants action
