Intro To Forensic Science

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Forensic Science

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the application of science to criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system.

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Chain of Custody

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a list of people who came into possession with an item of evidence

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Buccal Swab

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a swab of the inner portion of the cheek; cheek cells are usually collected to determine the DNA profile of an individual

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Standard/Reference Sample

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physical evidence whose origin is known, such as blood or hair from a suspect, that can be compared to crime-scene evidence.

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Rigor Mortis

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the medical condition that occurs after death and results in the stiffening of muscle mass. The rigidly of the body normally occurs within 24 hours of death and disappears within 36 hours.

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Livor Mortis

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the medical condition that occurs after death and results in the setting of blood in areas of the body closest to the ground

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Algor Mortis

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postmortem changes that cause a body to lose heat.

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Pathology

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Autopsy: involves the investigation of sudden, unnatural, unexplained, or violent deaths

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Anthropology

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concerned primarily with the identification and examination of human skeletal remains

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Etomology

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study of insects and their relation to a criminal investigation

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Psychiatry

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a specialized area in which the relationship between human behavior and legal proceeding is examined

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Odontology

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used when a victim is left in a unrecognizable state. Uses teeth and dental remains

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Engineering

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concerned with failure analysis, accident reconstruction, and causes of origins of fires or explosives

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Computer/Digital Analysis

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involves the identification, collection, preservation, and examination of information derived from computers and other digital devices.

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Physical Science Unit

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applies principles and techniques of chemistry, physics and geology to the identification and comparison of crime-scene evidence

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Biology Unit

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Identify and perform DNA profiling on dried blood stains and other body fluids, compare hairs and fibers, and identify and compare botanical materials

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Firearms Unit

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Examines firearms, discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells, and ammunition.

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Document Examination Unit

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Studies the handwriting and typewriting on questioned documents to ascertain authenticity and/or source.

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Photography Unit

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Examines and records physical evidence. Use digital imaging, infrared, ultraviolet, and x-rays to make invisible info visible to the naked eye

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Toxicology Unit

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Examines body fluids and organs to determine the presence of absence of drugs and poisons.

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Latent Fingerprint Unit

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processes and examines evidence for latent fingerprints

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Polygraph Unit

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techniques of criminal investigation and interrogation are used by trained professionals

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Voiceprint Analysis Unit

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Investigators tie a voice to a particular suspect

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Crime-Scene Investigation Unit

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dispatches specially trained personnel to the crime scene to collect and preserve physical evidence that will later be processed at the lab.

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4 Steps to Processing a Crime Scene

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1. Secure
2. Record/Document
3. Search
4. Collect

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6 Types of Physical Evidence

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1. Blood 2. Seman 3. Saliva
4. Drugs 5. Fibers
6. Fingerprints 7. Glass 8. Hair
9. Organs 10. Paint

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5 Prong Standard

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1. Scientific Analysis
2. Peer Review
3. Error Techniques
4. Plan of Action
5. Accepted by Scientific Community

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Frye v. United States

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Set guidelines for determining admissibility of scientific evidence into the court room. To meet the Frye standard, the evidence in question must be “generally accepted” by a scientific community.

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Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, INC.

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Supreme Court ruled that trial judges were responsible for the admissibility & validity of scientific evidence presented in their courts.

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Grid Search

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simply two parallel searches, offset by 90 degrees, performed one after the other.

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Spiral Search

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The CSI starts at the center of scene (or at the body) or at the perimeter of the scene and works toward the center and works outward or inward. Good when usually only 1 person at the scene.

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Quadrant/Zone Search

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the CSI in charge divides the crime scene into sectors, and each team member takes one sector. Team members may then switch sectors and search again to ensure complete coverage

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Line/Strip Search

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All of the members of the CSI team form a line. They walk in a straight line, at the same speed, from one end of crime scene to the other.