Science
A collection of systematic methods used to learn about & understand the physical world.
Science
Forensic science
The application of science to criminal & civil laws
Criminalistics
Forensic science as a source of info for the criminal justice system
Anthropometry
A system to measure human body parts. There are 11 measurements. It failed with Will West & William West.
Fingerprints (friction ridges)
Are a unique identifier no two people have the same print. We have them in order to improve our grip. 8 fingerprint identifiers is the gold standard at a crime scene
Ballistics
The study of firearms. Can be used to compare bullet & shell casings in order to identify a weapon at a crime scene.
Locard's Exchange Principle
When 2 objects come into contact with each other a cross-transfer of materials occur
The modern crime lab: Why so many?
400 crime labs. Greater emphasis on scientifically evaluated evidence, accelerated drug abuse, and the advent of DNA profiling.
The modern crime lab: Important functions
Physical science unit, Biology unit, Firearms unit, Document Examination unit, Photography Unit.
Expert witness
They have specialized training and is used because the court lacks the expertise they have
Expert testimony
They generaly express their opinnion, and how it links to a crime in terms of percentages
Frye Standard
Frye V. United States set guidelines for determining the admissibility of scientific evidence into the courtroom. The method for how the evidence is used must be generally excepted by the scientific community. - No polygraphs were allowed in court.
Daubert Criteria
Answers these questions:
- Has it been tested?
- Has it been subject to peer review?
- What is the technique's potential rate of error?
- What standards are used?
Has the technique/ theory gained widespread acceptance within the scientic community?
First responder
The first officer at the crime scene. Responsibilites:
- Get medical assistance for injured victims
- Detaining any potential subject or witness
- Secure crime scene
- Call for additional personal needs
Keeping a crime scene secure
Boundary of the crime scene must be secured by either crime scene tape, rope, or cones.
Recording the crime scene
A detailed log is kept of personnel movements in & out of the crime scene. It includes peronnel names and times of entry/exit.
Physical evidence: Definition
- Material found at the scene
-Establishes that a crime has been committed
- Provide connections to the crime
(In order to be used effectivly it must be recognized at the scene)
Physical evidence: General procedure for collection
-Evidence must be kept in original condition
-Prevent changing evidence
-Avoid contamination
-Each item has its own package
-labeled with case code, date, time, and ID
The package is never a mailing envelope and always sealed
Hot zone
Active crime scene with a potential safety issue. Ex. HIV, Hepatitis B and C
Identification (evidence)
To determine the ephysical or chemical identity of evidence.
identification analysis
What the evidence is, and how it links to one suspect or person. Requirese specifity to determine unique id.
comparative analysis/Comparison (evidence)
Determine if suspect sample & Standard reference sample have same origin or source.
Individual characteristics
Never 100% certain, but high enough to dismiss doubt
Class characteristics
Probability is low, based on similarities among substances within a group.
Bertillion
Developed Anthropometry ( Study of human measurment)
Galton
Wrote "Finger prints 1892
Lattes
1915 - Showed that dried blood can be typed / Developed method from blood typing
Goddard
(1920 - 1930) Introduced ballistics into court cases with the use of the comparison microscope.
Gross
Father of modern criminology. He wrote the handbook and journal of criminalistics. He helped develop the first labs in big police deptartments.
Locard
He developed the Locard exchange. When two items come into contact there will always be something left behind.
Jeffreys
He developed the first ever DNA profiling test in 1984.
Database (usage with evidence)- IAFIS:
Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System.
Database (usage with evidence)- CODIS:
Combined DNA Index System.
Database (usage with evidence)- NIBIN:
National Integrated Ballistics Information Network.
Database (usage with evidence)- PDQ:
The International Forensic Automative Paint Data Query
Database (usage with evidence)- SICAR:
The Shoeprint Image Capture And Retrival