Introduction to Introduction to Forensic ScienceForensic Science

What does “forensic science” mean?What does “forensic science” mean?

The presentation of science or scientific The presentation of science or scientific evidence in a public forum (court of law)evidence in a public forum (court of law)

Dates back to China, 1248Dates back to China, 1248

Sherlock HolmesSherlock Holmes

Fictional character developed by author Fictional character developed by author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

First to apply serology, fingerprinting, First to apply serology, fingerprinting, firearm identification, and questioned- firearm identification, and questioned- document examinationdocument examination

All of this - from fiction - before accepted All of this - from fiction - before accepted by real-life criminal investigations.by real-life criminal investigations.

Mathieu Orfila - 1813Mathieu Orfila - 1813

Father of ToxicologyFather of Toxicology

Lafarge Trial (Marie) - arsenicLafarge Trial (Marie) - arsenic

Book: Book: Traite des poisonsTraite des poisons or or Toxicologie Toxicologie general - general - first scientific study of the first scientific study of the detection and pathological effects of detection and pathological effects of poisons - established toxicology as a poisons - established toxicology as a distinct field of forensic science.distinct field of forensic science.

The father of criminal identificationThe father of criminal identification

Developed anthropometry - using body Developed anthropometry - using body length measurements as unique properties length measurements as unique properties - took 243 separate measurements - took 243 separate measurements

Method was coined “Method was coined “BertillonageBertillonage””

Alphonse Bertillon - 1879Alphonse Bertillon - 1879

Francis GaltonFrancis Galton

FingerprintingFingerprinting Developed methodology for identification Developed methodology for identification

using the friction ridges on fingersusing the friction ridges on fingers Basics still used todayBasics still used today His work has been enhanced by Sir Edward His work has been enhanced by Sir Edward

Henry - father of modern fingerprintingHenry - father of modern fingerprinting Henry developed a filing method for storing Henry developed a filing method for storing

fingerprint patterns/records prior to computer fingerprint patterns/records prior to computer storage capabilitiesstorage capabilities

Leone Lattes - 1915Leone Lattes - 1915

Blood testing - used technique developed Blood testing - used technique developed by Dr. Karl Landsteinerby Dr. Karl Landsteiner

Bloodstains - developed method to Bloodstains - developed method to determine blood type from dried blooddetermine blood type from dried blood

Discovered that blood typing could be Discovered that blood typing could be used as a means of identificationused as a means of identification

Calvin Goddard - 1920sCalvin Goddard - 1920s

Individualization of weaponsIndividualization of weapons

Firing pin marks on shell casingsFiring pin marks on shell casings

Refined the technique of bullet Refined the technique of bullet comparisons with the gun from which it comparisons with the gun from which it was firedwas fired

Albert S. OsbornAlbert S. Osborn

Handwriting expert - established the Handwriting expert - established the fundamental principles of document fundamental principles of document examination.examination.

Challenged the notion of “told” rather than Challenged the notion of “told” rather than “shown”“shown”

Hans GrossHans Gross

First real life “scientific detective” - First real life “scientific detective” - described the application of scientific described the application of scientific disciplines to the field of criminal disciplines to the field of criminal investigationinvestigation

Austrian lawyerAustrian lawyer

Coined the term “Coined the term “Criminalistics”Criminalistics”

Hans GrossHans Gross

Wrote about: forensic medicine toxicology, Wrote about: forensic medicine toxicology, serology, ballistics, and anthropometryserology, ballistics, and anthropometry

Suggested using: mineralogists, ecologist, Suggested using: mineralogists, ecologist, and botanistsand botanists

J. Edgar HooverJ. Edgar Hoover

Reorganized the Bureau of Investigations Reorganized the Bureau of Investigations in 1924in 1924 Included fingerprint cardsIncluded fingerprint cards

1932 now FBI1932 now FBI Organized a national laboratory that aimed to Organized a national laboratory that aimed to

offer forensic services of all law enforcement offer forensic services of all law enforcement agenciesagencies

Edmond LocardEdmond Locard

Locard’s Exchange Principle - whenever Locard’s Exchange Principle - whenever two objects come in contact, material will two objects come in contact, material will be exchanged between them.be exchanged between them.

Every criminal can be tied to crime by dust Every criminal can be tied to crime by dust particles carried from the sceneparticles carried from the scene Ex: counterfeit coins - metal found that Ex: counterfeit coins - metal found that

matched those of the coins found on 3 matched those of the coins found on 3 suspects clothes - confronted with evidence - suspects clothes - confronted with evidence - they confessedthey confessed

Evidence: What is it?Evidence: What is it?

Direct: evidence in the form of a statement Direct: evidence in the form of a statement made under oath - also known as made under oath - also known as testimonial evidence.testimonial evidence.

Physical evidence: any object or material Physical evidence: any object or material that is relevant in a crime.that is relevant in a crime. Locard’s PrincipleLocard’s Principle Class vs. Individual EvidenceClass vs. Individual Evidence

What is it good for?What is it good for?

Physical evidencePhysical evidence Prove crime has been committedProve crime has been committed Corroborate testimonyCorroborate testimony Link suspect to victim or crime sceneLink suspect to victim or crime scene Establish identity of persons associated with Establish identity of persons associated with

crimecrime All reconstruction of crimeAll reconstruction of crime

Class EvidenceClass Evidence

Consistent with a particular sourceConsistent with a particular source The more class evidence that fits the The more class evidence that fits the

criminal - the bettercriminal - the better HairHair FibersFibers SoilSoil Glass fragmentsGlass fragments

IndividualIndividual Individualized to a single, specific sourceIndividualized to a single, specific source No doubt as to what the source isNo doubt as to what the source is

FingerprintsFingerprints DNADNA HandwritingHandwriting VoiceprintsVoiceprints

Always involves a comparison - an Always involves a comparison - an exemplarexemplar Piece of evidence taken from known sourcePiece of evidence taken from known source

Rules of EvidenceRules of Evidence

Admissible evidence must beAdmissible evidence must be Relevant - must prove something (probative) Relevant - must prove something (probative)

and address the issue of the particular crime and address the issue of the particular crime (material)(material)

ReliableReliable Presenter must be credible and competentPresenter must be credible and competent

Scientific EvidenceScientific Evidence

Frye StandardFrye Standard Interpretation of evidence must be given by Interpretation of evidence must be given by

an expert witness & have gained “general an expert witness & have gained “general acceptance” in that particular field of studyacceptance” in that particular field of study

Frey vs. U.S., 1923: court must decide if the Frey vs. U.S., 1923: court must decide if the handling of evidence are “generally accepted” handling of evidence are “generally accepted” by a meaningful segment of the relevant by a meaningful segment of the relevant scientific communityscientific community

Scientific EvidenceScientific Evidence

Daubert RulingDaubert Ruling Daubert vs. Merrill Dow PharmaceuticalsDaubert vs. Merrill Dow Pharmaceuticals

Applies to federal courts & some statesApplies to federal courts & some states Judge determines admissibilityJudge determines admissibility

Guidelines for JudgeGuidelines for Judge1.1. Scientific theory or technique must be testable.Scientific theory or technique must be testable.2.2. Must be subject to peer review and publicationMust be subject to peer review and publication3.3. Rate of error must be statedRate of error must be stated4.4. Technique must follow standardsTechnique must follow standards5.5. Consideration as to whether there is widespread Consideration as to whether there is widespread

acceptance in scientific communityacceptance in scientific community

Common Acronyms in Common Acronyms in Forensic ScienceForensic Science

AAFS-American Academy of Forensic ScienceAAFS-American Academy of Forensic Science DNA - Deoxyribonucleic AcidDNA - Deoxyribonucleic Acid RNA - Ribonucleic AcidRNA - Ribonucleic Acid CODIS - Combined DNA Index SystemCODIS - Combined DNA Index System AFIS-Automated Fingerprint Identification AFIS-Automated Fingerprint Identification

SystemSystem IBIS - Integrated Ballistics IdentificationIBIS - Integrated Ballistics Identification FBI-Federal Bureau of InvestigationFBI-Federal Bureau of Investigation

More AcronymsMore Acronyms

DEA - Drug Enforcement AdministrationDEA - Drug Enforcement Administration ATF - (Bureau of)Alcohol, Tobacco, & ATF - (Bureau of)Alcohol, Tobacco, &

FirearmsFirearms USPS - United States Postal ServiceUSPS - United States Postal Service USF&W - United States Fish & USF&W - United States Fish &

Wildlife(Service)Wildlife(Service) PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction (DNA)PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction (DNA) RFLP - Restriction Fragment Length RFLP - Restriction Fragment Length

PolymorphismPolymorphism STR - Single Tandem Repeats (DNA)STR - Single Tandem Repeats (DNA)

More AcronymsMore Acronyms

SSA - Social Security AdministrationSSA - Social Security Administration IRS -Internal Revenue ServiceIRS -Internal Revenue Service BSPA - Bloodstain Pattern AnalysisBSPA - Bloodstain Pattern Analysis DOA - Dead On ArrivalDOA - Dead On Arrival DUI - Driving Under the InfluenceDUI - Driving Under the Influence TOD - Time Of DeathTOD - Time Of Death PMI - Post Mortem IntervalPMI - Post Mortem Interval DRT - Dead Right ThereDRT - Dead Right There B&E - Breaking & EnteringB&E - Breaking & Entering