Forensic Science
application of the science to criminal and civil laws.
Alphonse Bertillon
devised the first scientific system of personal identification in 1879
Francis Galton
conducted the first definitive study of fingerprints and their classification
Leone Lattes
developed a procedure to determine blood type from dried blood stains
Calvin Goddard
used a comparison microscope to determine if a particular gun fired a bullet
Albert Osborn
developed the fundamental principles of document examination
Hans Gross
wrote the first treaties describing the application of scientific principles to the field of criminal investigation
Edmond Locard
incorporated Gross' principles within a workable crime laboratory
Crime Lab Physical Science Unit
applies principles and techniques to identify crime scene evidence
Crime Lab Biology Unit
identify and perform DNA profiling
Crime Lab Firearms Unit
detect firearms discharge residues and find distance that bullet was fired from
Crime Lab Document Examination Unit
the handwriting and typewriting on questioned documents
Crime Lab Photography Unit
examines and records
physical evidence.
Crime Lab Toxicology Unit
determine the presence or absence of drugs and poisons.
Crime Lab Latin Fingerprint Unit
processes and examines
evidence
Crime Lab Polygraph Unit
criminal investigation and interrogation.
Crime Lab Voiceprint Analysis Unit
tie the voice to a particular suspect.
Crime Lab CSI Unit
to collect and preserve physical evidence
Forensic Psychiatry
examines
the relationship between human behavior and legal proceedings.
Forensic Odontology
identify victims
Forensic Engineering
failure analysis,
accident reconstruction, and causes and origins of fires or explosions.
Forensic Computer & Digital Analysis
identifying, collecting, preserving, and examining information
Frye v. United States
set guidelines for determining the admissibility of scientific evidence into the courtroom
Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
...
Coppolino v. State
new tests will only be allowed if they are based on scientifically valid principles and techniques.
Expert Witness
A witness that is called on to evaluate evidence when the court lacks the expertise to do so.