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“Forensic Science”

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“Forensic Science”

Table of Contents

Unit Page

1 What is Forensic Science 4

2 Intro to CSI 15

3 Intro to Death Investigation 26

4 Crime Scene Case Study 37

5 Documentation, Evidence, and Witnesses 48

6 Forensic Ballistics 60

7 Fingerprints 71

8 Introduction to DNA 82

9 Arson and Explosion Investigations 94

10 Trace Evidence 104

11 Death, Investigation, and Certification 115

12 The Autopsy 125

13 Entomology, Anthropology, and Odontology 136

14 Pharmacology and Toxicology 148

15 Drug Scheduling and Illegal Drugs 159

16 Prescription Drugs 169

17 Preliminary and Confirmatory Drug Testing 180

18 The Toxicology Report 192

19 The Legal System and Expert Testimony 203

20 Solving the Crime 213

Parent Guide 220

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Unit One – What is Forensic Science

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Unit One – What is Forensic Science

Everyone, at one time or another, has seen the science of forensics in

action. Most of the time people see this unique and interesting field

portrayed while watching TV, but few truly realize what forensic

science is or what a “forensic scientist” does and does not do.

Forensic science is a very broad term used to describe the methods

used to make sense of a criminal event. Literally speaking, forensics

comes from the Latin word forensis, which means “before the forum.”

The forum referred to here is the ancient Roman marketplace which

was used not only as a place to purchase things, but as a place for the

community to gather to conduct business.

If a person was accused of a crime they were brought before the

forum to present their case. Often the criminals would have

representatives, much like lawyers, to present their cases for them.

The art and science of public speaking, rhetoric, and logic were used

during this presentation and the person who made the best case won.

Today the term forensics is used to specifically pertain to the legal

system and Forensic science is the actual act of gathering and

interpreting that evidence. Then the evidence is presented to a jury

or judge in order to persuade them that an act has or has not taken

place.

Listed below are the many different forms that forensic science can

take, along with a brief explanation of each one.

Forensic Accounting – the forensic account will gather evidence

pertaining to accounting methods to try and figure out a money trail.

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This type of forensics is often used during tax audits or a criminal

investigation involving money hidden overseas.

Computer Forensics - the forensic computer specialist will find or

reconstruct digital media such as graphic images, files, or folders

contained on a hard drive or disc to use in the court as evidence. This

is a very common form of forensics and almost every case can expect

to involve some sort of digital reconstruction. For example, when

investigating a missing person, their e-mail and personal computer can

be accessed through a court order so information about a suspect can

be obtained.

Forensic Document Examination - this field deals mostly with

handwriting analysis and or establishing a “fingerprint” of sorts on a

printer or typewriter.

Forensic Dentistry – is used to establish identity for fire or drowning

victims, victims of natural or catastrophic disasters, or victims who are

no longer recognizable for any reason.

Forensic Economics – is used in personal injury cases where an accident

has cost a person benefits or actual pay. It can also be used to assess

business lost, future medical expenses, and future labor. Much of this

falls under the category of compensatory damages.

Forensic Engineering – is used to reconstruct buildings or mechanical

devices after malfunction or collapse to see if the design was flawed.

Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry – is used to evaluate defendants

or witnesses and establish that they are able to stand trial or deliver

testimony. It can also be used to determine a motive in some cases. It

is a subjective rather than objective science. That means that an

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expert’s opinion is used instead of factual data. These opinions will

almost always have a counter opinion presented in court which states

the exact opposite.

Forensic Anthropology – is used to reconstruct human or non-human

remains for the purpose of establishing a timeline or events.

Criminalistics or Crime Scene Investigation - is used to describe the

act of gathering physical evidence relating to any part of the crime at

hand. It can include, but is not limited to, fingerprints, blood, blood

spatter patterns, weapons, bullets, hair, fibers, paint, glass, and tire or

shoe tracks.

Forensic Serology – involves the analysis of bodily fluids collected

during a Criminalistics investigation. It can include blood, semen, saliva,

sweat for the purpose of identification of an individual involved in a

crime.

Forensic Biology – is a broad term used to describe a combination of

fields such as forensic anthropology, forensic dentistry, forensic

serology, forensic entomology, and forensic botany.

Forensic Entomology - is used to help determine the time and location

of death based on the type of insects found near, on, or in the body.

Forensic Pathology - is the use of an autopsy performed by a medical

examiner to determine specific cause of death and injury

identification. The end result is the signing and issuing of a death

certificate.

Forensic Toxicology - is the study, evaluation and identification of the

effects of poisons, chemicals, or drugs in and on the human body.

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