Introduction to forensic science Flashcards
what is forensic science?
the application of science to the purpose of law
the CSI effect
the belief that television crime shows are affecting decision made in courtrooms by jurors
CSI viewers are more likely to convict if eyewitness accounts were present
unrealistic showings of manpower, workplace procedure, and processing and solving time
The role of forensic scientists
- Forensic scientists are scientists
- Techniques must follow the scientific method- Keep notes and write reports
- Testify in court -> expert witness
- May attend crime scenes
the first autopsy
44 BC
44 BC
the first autopsy
1247
first conviction using forensic evidence
first conviction using forensic evidence 1247
1247
1814
first use of toxicology testing
first use of toxicology testing
1814
1882
anthropometry
anthropometry
1882
1890
fingerprints
fingerprints
1890
1900
blood typing
blood typing
1900
1923
FBI crime lab created
FBI crime lab created
1923
1990s
DNA
DNA
1990s
History
44 BC: first autopsy
1247: first conviction using forensic evidence
1814: first use of toxicology testing
1882: anthropometry
1890: fingerprints
1900: blood typing
1923: FBI lab created
1990s: DNA
anthropometry
collection of body measurements for a person’s identity
Locard’s exchange principle
Edmond Locard
“every contact leaves a trace”
Trace evidence
can be used to link a person to a location or another person
the advancing of the crime lab
- increasing number of labs
- greater emphasis on securing scientifically evaluated evidence
- Accelerated drug abuse
- Advance of DNA profiling
- > 400 public crime labs operate at various levels
Scene examination
- CSI, reconstruction
- dogs and sensors
- forensic entomology
- fire and explosive investigation
forensic medicine
- forensic pathology
- forensic nursing
- forensic anthropology
- forensic odontology
forensic biology
- forensic serology
- DNA and genetic testing
- wildlife forensic biology
- DNA and genetic testing (non-human)
forensic chemistry
- seized drug analysis
- forensic toxicology
- trace evidence analysis
- intangible liquids, explosives, GSR
physical/pattern interpretation
- fingerprint analysis
- bloodstain pattern analysis
- forensic document examination
- marks and impressions
- firearms and ballistics
CSI, reconstruction
- Processing crime scene collection and preservation of evidence, pictures, and video
- Determining sequence of events about what occurred
Dogs and sensors
- Support law enforcement and first responders
- Locates drugs, contraband interaction, locating human remains
Forensic entomology
- Study insects from decomposing remains
- Helps determine time/place of death
Fire and explosion investigation
- Advanced technical background with fire protection and investigation
- Fire service, fire safety, occupational safety, and security
Studying insects from decomposing remains
forensic entomology
Forensic pathology
- Determine cause of death through autopsy
- Estimate time of death
- Examine wounds
- Collect tissue samples
- Determine cause of death through autopsy
- Estimate time of death
- Examine wounds
- Collect tissue samples
Forensic pathology
Forensic nursing
- Collecting evidence
- Photographing injuries for evidence
- Working with victims of domestic abuse, violence, and assault
- Work with medical examiners when victims die
- Collecting evidence
- Photographing injuries for evidence
- Working with victims of domestic abuse, violence, and assault
- Work with medical examiners when victims die
Forensic nursing
Forensic anthropology
- Identifying unrecognizable remains
- Species, age, sex, stature, ancestry
- Analyze trauma and disease
- Identifying unrecognizable remains
- Species, age, sex, stature, ancestry
- Analyze trauma and disease
Forensic anthropology
Forensic odontology
- Identification of human remains through dental records
- Analysis of bite marks found on victims of attack
- Now, a largely debated area in forensic science
- Identification of human remains through dental records
- Analysis of bite marks found on victims of attack
- Now, a largely debated area in forensic science
Forensic odontology
Forensic serology
- Presumptively identify biological materials
- Recognize, document, collect, transport, analyze, interpret, and testify on significance of biological evidence
- Presumptively identify biological materials
- Recognize, document, collect, transport, analyze, interpret, and testify on significance of biological evidence
Forensic serology
DNA and genetic testing
- Extract, amplify, and analyze DNA from blood, hair, saliva, semen, skill tissue, and sweat
- Compare DNA profiles from known sources with those generated from samples from crime scenes
Wildlife forensic biology
- Investigating wildlife crimes
- Examinations of crime scene, analyze biological evidence
DNA and genetic testing (non-human
- Bioterrorism: bacterial and viral agents
- Drugs: plants or fungi
- Human identification: microbiome
Seized drug analysis
- Identify and quantitate a wide range of illegal substances seized by the state
Forensic toxicology
Extract, identify, and quantitate alcohol and/or drugs and their metabolites from biological specimens
Main difference between seized drug analysis and forensic toxicology
Extraction and interpretation
Trace evidence analysis
Examine and compare trace evidence including hairs, fibers, glass, polymers, and metal fragments
Ignitable liquids, explosives, GSR
- Deals with evidence from suspicious fires and explosions
- Identify ignitable liquids
- Identify explosives from bombing scenes
- Gunshot residue and detection
Fingerprint analysis
- Find agreement or disagreement between the unknown print and known prints
- Advancing fingerprint collection and comparison techniques
Bloodstain pattern analysis
- Reconstruct the bloodshed event using shape, size, and distribution patterns of the bloodstains
Forensic document examination
- Analyzes documentary evidence to determine origin or authenticity
- Examining written, typed, or printed documents using scientific methodologies
Marks and impressions
- Footwear impressions (trace evidence)
- Tire track impressions
- Toolmark: cutting and levering instruments
Firearms and ballistics
- Examine, compare, and identify firearms and firearm related evidence
- Serial number restoration
- Trajectory analysis
- Gun powder residue identification
- Cartridge case comparison
Digital forensics
- Recovery and investigation of material found in digital devices related to cybercrime
- Provides digital evidence and support for forensic needs
- Facial and iris identification
- Speaker recognition
- Video/imaging technology and analysis
