Introduction to forensic science Flashcards
what is forensic science?
the application of science to the purpose of law
what is 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
What are the the roles of a forensic scientist?
- Forensic scientists are scientists
- Techniques must follow the scientific method- Keep notes and write reports
- Testify in court -> expert witness
- May attend crime scenes
FS History timeline
- 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
What is anthropometry?
collection of body measurements for a person’s identity
What is 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
What falls under scene examination?
- CSI, reconstruction
- dogs and sensors
- forensic entomology
- fire and explosive investigation
What falls under forensic medicine?
- forensic pathology
- forensic nursing
- forensic anthropology
- forensic odontology
What falls under forensic biology?
- forensic serology
- DNA and genetic testing
- wildlife forensic biology
- DNA and genetic testing (non-human)
What falls under forensic chemistry?
- seized drug analysis
- forensic toxicology
- trace evidence analysis
- intangible liquids, explosives, GSR
What falls under physical/pattern interpretation?
- fingerprint analysis
- bloodstain pattern analysis
- forensic document examination
- marks and impressions
- firearms and ballistics
What is reconstruction in CSI?
- Processing crime scene
- collection and preservation of evidence, pictures, and video
- Determining sequence of events about what occurred
What are the purposes of dogs and sensors in CSI?
- Support law enforcement and first responders
- Locates drugs, contraband interaction, locating human remains
What falls under forensic entomology?
- Study insects from decomposing remains
- Helps determine time/place of death
What falls under fire and explosion investigation?
- Advanced technical background with fire protection and investigation
- Fire service, fire safety, occupational safety, and security
What is the study of insects from decomposing remains?
forensic entomology
What falls under forensic pathology?
- Determine cause of death through autopsy
- Estimate time of death
- Examine wounds
- Collect tissue samples
Definition/characteristics:
- Determine cause of death through autopsy
- Estimate time of death
- Examine wounds
- Collect tissue samples
Forensic pathology
What falls under forensic nursing?
- Collecting evidence
- Photographing injuries for evidence
- Working with victims of domestic abuse, violence, and assault
- Work with medical examiners when victims die
What is forensic anthropology?
- Identifying unrecognizable remains
- Species, age, sex, stature, ancestry
- Analyze trauma and disease
Definition:
Identifying unrecognizable remains
Forensic anthropology
What is 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
Defnintion:
Process of using dental records in CSI
Forensic odontology
Forensic serology
- Presumptively identify biological materials
- Recognize, document, collect, transport, analyze, interpret, and testify on significance of biological evidence
Think all of the body fluid presumptive tests
