intro to forensics Flashcards
what is the job description of a forensics scientist
to process and document crimes, collect and preserve evidence, analyze and compare evidence in a laboratory, reconstruction of evidence (forming the best theory), and providing expert testimony
what are the skills needed to become a forensics scientist
having good observation skills (using the 5 senses), analytical skills ( being able to identify the problem, draw conclusions, and organize info) and deductive reasoning ( using logical steps to draw a conclusion based on facts or evidence)
what is a physical science unit?
incorporates the principles of chemistry, physics, and geology to identify and compare physical evidence
what is biology unit
applies the knowledge of biological sciences in order to investigate blood samples, bodily fluids, botanical samples, hair, and fiber samples. also includes DNA profiling
what is the firearm unit
investigates discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells, and ammunition. also includes comparison of tool marks, tire treads, and shoe prints
what is ballistics
a specific type of physical pattern identification; matching projectiles and casings to individual firearms or weapons
what is the document examination unit
provides handwriting analysis and other reproduction processes; ink and paper analysis; forgery and authenticity. also analyzes indentations, obliterations, erasures, and burned or charred documents
what is the photography unit
responsible for recording and examining physical evidence. may use special techniques (digital imaging, infrared, uv, x-ray). also responsible for photographic display in courtroom presentations
what is toxicology unit
examines body fluids (blood, urine) and organs for the presence of drugs and poisons. also responsible for training breathalyzer operators and for maintenance of the instruments
what is fingerprint unit
processes and examines crime scene and evidence for latent fingerprints
what is polygraph unit
conducts polygraph (lie detector) tests; administered by people trained in investigation and interrogation.
what is evidence-collection unit
dispatches specially trained personnel to the crime scene to collect and preserve physical evidence. must follow specific procedures to maintain chain of custody.
what is voiceprint analysis unit
attempts to tie a recorded voice to a particular suspect. use an instrument called a sound spectrographto make a visual graphic display called a voiceprint
what is chain of custody
refers to the document or paper trail showing the seizure, custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of physical and electronic evidence.
what does the fbi do
protect and defend the united states against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the united states, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies
what does fbi stand for
federal bureau of investigation
what does dea stand for
drug enforcement administrat
what does the dea do
analyzes drugs seized in federal cases
what does atf stand for
bureau of alcohol, tobacco, and firearms
what does atf do
protects our communities from violent criminals, criminal organizations, the illegal use and trafficking of firearms, the illegal use and storage of explosives, acts of arson and bombings, acts of terrorism, violations of tax laws, and the illegal diversion of alcohol and tobacco products
what does uspis stand for
us postal inspection service
what does uspis do
support and protect the u.s postal service and its employees, infrastructure, and customers; enforce the laws that defend the nation’s mail system from illegal or dangerous use; and ensure public trust in the mail
what is the states official crime lab?
the georgia bureau of investigation, also know as the gbi
what was the first case ever recorded using forensic science?
13th century china
what was the 13th century china?
when someone was stabbed all of the knives in the village were collected. files were attracted to the traces of blood and landed on only one of the knives, causing the suspect to confess
who is mathieu orfila
chemist who published first scientific paper on the detection of poisons and their effects on animals
who is concidered the father of forensics toxicology
mathieu orfila
who is william herschel
he used thumbprints on documents to identify workers in India
who is alphonse bertillon
developed anthropometry which uses body measurements to distinguish individuals
who is known as the father of criminal identification
alphonse bertillon
who is henry fauld
uses fingerprints to eliminate an innocent burglary suspect
who is sir arthur conan doyle
published his first sherlock holmes story; considered the first “CSI”, featured in four novels and 56 short stories, popularized scientific crime-detection methods.
who is frances galton
published finger prints. conducted the first definitive study of fingerprints and their classification. gave proof of their uniqueness
who is hans gross
published criminal investigation. wrote the first paper describing the application of scientific principles to the field of criminal investigation
who is karl landsteiner
discovered the ABO blood groups, later received nobel prize
who is edmond locard
incorporated Gross’ principles within a workable crime lab; became the founder and director of the Institute of Criminalistics at the University of Lyons, France.
who is albert s. osborn
published questioned documents. developed the fundamental principles of document examination
who is leone lattes
developed a method for determining blood type from dried blood
who is august vollmer
established the First Crime Lab in United States, located in Los Angeles
who is calvin Goddard
developed a comparison microscope; first used to compare bullets to see if fired from the same weapon.
true or false: types of criminal cases receive different levels of forensic treatment
true
true or false: forensics are used more in propery then against persons
false
define statutory law
legislative acts declaring, commanding, or prohibiting something. They have been enactedby a governmental body or agency (such as Congress) and are based on the Constitution
define common/case law
laws made up of judicial opinions and precedents set in appellate courts.
define civil law
often referred to as private law; deals with relationships between individuals involving matters such as property, contracts, marriage/divorce, wills, negligence, and other civil concerns. Violations of civil law are usually punishable by fines or transfer of property.
define criminal law
often referred to as public law; deals with regulation and enforcement of rights. offenses against an individual are usually offensive to society; the state becomes the plaintiff in court. (ex. Miranda vs. Arizona)
what is a misdemeanor
minor crime such as theft, minor assault and battery, or possession of small amount of illegal drugs
what is a felony
major crime such as murder, rape, armed robbery, serious assaults, dealing of illegal drugs, fraud, auto theft, or forger
define equity law
remedial or preventative; includes injunctions and restraining orders
define administrative law
laws established by agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or branches of the military
first amendment
reedom of Religion, Speech, and Press, the Right to Assemble Peaceably and to Petition the Government “for a redress of grievances.”
second amendment
right to Keep and Bear Arms- “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
third amendment
quartering of Troops- “No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”
forth amendment
search and seizure- “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.“
fith amendment
grand Jury, Double Jeopardy, Self-Incrimination, Due Process
sixth amendment
criminal Prosecutions – Right to a speedy public trial by an impartial jury, to confront witnesses and to counsel for defense
seventh amendment
common Law Suits –Right to a Trial by Jury
nineth amendment
non-Enumerated Rights or “Rule of Construction of the Constitution”- “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
tenth amendment
states’ Rights- Rights not explicitly delegated to the Federal Government in the Constitution are reserved to the States or to the People.
what are 3 things to consider when having probable cause
means, motive and opportunity
what is means
he ability of the defendant to commit the crime
what is motive
the reason the defendant committed the crime
what is opportunity
whether the defendant had the chance to commit the crime
true or false in cases of immediate danger officers have to wait for a warrant
false
when is someone informed of miranda rights
after arrest, suspect is booked, fingerprinted, photographed, and informed of miranda rights
does an officer have to make sure the person who is arrested that they UNDERSTAND miranda rights
yes
when is a suspect brought before magistrate/judge, or commissioner
72 hours
during arraignment the defendant is brought before court to hear…
charges and enter a plea
what is the plea of guilty
admitting to the judge that one has committed acts which violate a law
what is the plea of not guilty
one believes he or she has not violated the law
what is the plea of not guilty by reason of insanity
meaning that at the time of the crime, the defendant was ‘unable to appreciate the nature and quality or the wrongfulness of the acts
what is double jeopardy
if he or she has already been tried for the same crime in the same court
what is no contest
neither admits or denies the crime, but accepts punishment as though he/she were guilty
preliminary or evidentiary hearing
a hearing before a judge to determine whether a person charged with a crime should be held for trial.
grand jury
a group of people that are selected and sworn in by a court, just like jurors that are chosen to serve on a trial jury. A prosecutor will work with a grand jury to decide whether to bring charges, or an indictment, against a potential defendant
indict
formally accuse a person of a crime
plea bargaining
an agreement in which a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge and the prosecutor in return drops more serious charges to avoid the cost and time of trial.
