Introduction Flashcards
When did forensic science arose
It arose in china around the 6th century
When did fingerprint begin to become known
In the 7th century, it was first use as a form of identification
When was the first legally documented autopsy performed
During the 1302 in bologna
What are coroner?
It a government official responsible for death investigation and issuing death certificate. In the United States this position is appointed or elected.
Define fallabilism
An awareness of what you don’t know and certainly of what you do know. The saying of “ i know what i know, and i know what I don’t know”
Who are medical examiner?
A license medical doctor who are responsible for examining bodies post mortem to determine the cause of death.
Define cause of death
A disease or injury that initiated the lethal chain of events, however prolonged or brief, that led to death of the person.
Example: gunshot wound
Define mechanism of death
A biochemical or physiologic abnormality produced by the cause of death that is incompatible with life
Example - loss of blood
When did coroner existed
Officer of coroner existed in England before the 10 century.
- act as a inquisitional judge
- there wasn’t a requirement needed
When did Massachusett replaced corner
Massachusetts replaced coroners with medical examiner in 1877
During the 1877 what were the requirements to be a medical examiner
- required medical examiner to be licensed medical practitionerss
- the commission of Uniform state law was passed, and many states passed the medical examiner act- where many large cities adopted examiners
Does both corner and medical examier existed today.
Yes, both still exist but both require a medical degree
What are the role for a forensic scientists
- recover the human remains
- identify human
-document the cause of death - assist in criminal investigation through scientific ananylsis of evidence.
- contribute scientific reliability in court
- sure the guilty receive punishment
- free innocent people.
What is the scientific method
The explanation of connection ( the hypothesis ) to the pursue test which lead to the experiment, data collection, and Analyze, last the conclusion
forensic science method
- the experiment already have been done
- find reason from the given set of result which is the crime
- find the probable explanation that can link to the perpetrator.
What are the requirement of a forensic scientists
- educational degree
- must have certainly to their work
- find the best way to explain results to justify that they are better than any other alternative explanation
What are the steps in a forensic investigation
Collection+examination+analysis+ reporting= cear
- find cause of death
- gather witness statement
- review medical history
Conduct autopsy
- perform toxicology test, dna testing
- correlate photographic evidence from scene
- make a report of the case
- testify if necessary
What are 2 prolonged test take place during a forensic investigation
Is the death sudden?
- meaning within a few hours of onsets or without any symptom
Is the death unexpected
- did the had medical illness that could have lead to their death even if it was sudden.
Who are forensic pathologists?
They deal with determining the cause of death, while reviewing the past medical history to understand issued raised by the death
Define manner of death
In basic terms is how a person passes, did they passed
- natural
- accidental
- suicidal
- homicidal
Define autopsy
Is the postmortem dissection of a human body
What are the step of a autopsy
1) create the incision in the cheats, abdomen and head
2) removal of organ from the area of the body
3) collect specimen for testing
4) during a autopsy, Filipino and photography are both used during the autopsy
What are the limitation on a autopsy
- religion
- culture have specific time limitation Or ceremonies that restrict autopsy
- next of kin may object to autopsy
What types of incision is used during a autopsy
T shaped incision is used because it facilitates examination of the tongue and neck
What is evidence
Evidence is defined as anything that will help prove or disprove a material fact
What are 2 types of evidence
Real evidence( scientific)
Testimonial evidence ( non- scientific )
Define real evidence
Is physical evidence that link a suspect to a crime or help explain the circumstances of the incident
* Examples of real evidence are fingerprints, blood, weapons
Define non scientific ( testimonial evidence )
evidence that is a statement made under oath
• Examples of testimonial evidence are photos or sketches, eye witness testimony
• Generated by observation and documentation of the crime scene
What is the Difference between the scientific and non scientific evidence
Scientific Evidence contain physical evidence that link a suspect to the crime.Like wise with a non-scientific evidence, not it certain but the statement was made under an oath.
Define voir dire
A personal examination on background, training, experience
What is direct examination
- the lay foundations for the admissibility of the evidence in question
- in criminal court, testimony of a forensic pathologist is almost required
- forensic pathologist are subject to ad hominem attacks by opposing counsel
Define ad hominem
- a attack on person themselves instead of their testimony
What is Frye standard of admissibility
• Under Frye, the scientific community is essentially the gatekeeper of determining evidence admissibility.
• If the scientific community finds a method or theory acceptable, the court must admit the evidence.
• Upon a finding of general acceptance, admissibility isn’t revisited in subsequent cases.
What is daubert standard of admissibility
Under Daubert, the judge, not the scientific community, is the gatekeeper determining evidence admissibility.
* Additional information on error rates or additional peer review are published, this continuously change so the court has an ever-changing landscape.
* This allows for a case by case evaluation.
What is the history of frye admissibility of evidence
Frye v. United States 1923, D.C. circuit court of appeals
• Frye is commonly referred to as the “general acceptance test.” Scientific
methods that are generally accepted are admissible, and scientific methods that are on the fringe, or not “sufficiently established” are not admissible.
• Result: General acceptance
• Limitation: Scientific advancements and specializations of disciplines
What is the history of daubert admissibility of evidence
Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical
•Whether a theory or technique can be and has been tested;
•Whether the theory or technique has been subject to both peer review and publication;
•Whether it has attracted widespread acceptance within the relevant scientific community
Explain the st valentine day massacre
It happen on February 14, 1929
• murder of seven members and
associates of Chicago’s North Side Gang
• Purpose: Elimination of the last challenge to
Al Capone for crime boss
• 4 men (2 dressed as police officers) raided
a garage and opened fire killing 7 men
