Forensic Science
The application of scientific knowledge to questions of civil and criminal law
Alphonse Bertillon
Father of Criminal Identification- using Anthropometry (body measurements as a means of identification)
Francis Galton
Conducted the first definitive study of fingerprints and their classification.
Leone Lattes
Developed a procedure to determine blood type from dried bloodstains.
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 treatise describing the application of scientific principles to the field of criminal investigation.
Edmond Locard
Incorporated Gross' principles within a workable crime laboratory. Known for his principle describing how "every contact leaves a trace.
Crime Lab Physical Science Unit
Incorporates the principles of chemistry, physics, and geology to identify and compare physical evidence.
Crime Lab Biology Unit
Applies the knowledge of biological sciences in order to investigate blood samples, body fluids, hair, and fiber samples.
Crime Lab Firearms Unit
Investigates discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells, and ammunition.
Crime Lab Document Examination Unit
Provides the skills needed for handwriting analysis and other questioned-document issues.
Crime Lab Photography Unit
Applies specialized photographic techniques for recording and examining physical evidence.
Crime Lab Toxicology Unit
Examines body fluids and organs for the presence of drugs and poisons.
Crime Lab Latent Fingerprint Unit
Processes and examines evidence for latent fingerprints.
Crime Lab Polygraph Unit
Conducts polygraph or lie detector tests.
Crime Lab Voiceprint Analysis Unit
Attempts to tie a recorded voice to a particular suspect.
Crime Lab CSI Unit
Dispatches specially trained personnel to the crime scene to collect and preserve physical evidence.
Forensic Psychiatry
An area in which the relationship between human behavior and legal proceedings is examined.
Forensic Odontology
Using teeth to provide information about the identification of victims when a body is left in an unrecognizable state. Also investigates bite marks.
Forensic Engineering
Concerned with failure analysis, accident reconstruction, and causes and origins of fires or explosions.
Forensic Computer & Digital Analysis
The examination of digital evidence.
Frye v. United States
Set guidelines for determining the admissibility of scientific evidence into the courtroom. The evidence in question must be "generally accepted" by the scientific community.
Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Trial judges were said to be ultimately responsible as "gatekeepers" for the admissibility and validity of scientific evidence presented in their courts, as well as all expert testimony.
Coppolino v. State
A case that shows the flexibility and wide discretion that the trial judge has in matters of scientific inquiry.
Expert Witness
An individual whom the court determines possesses knowledge relevant to the trial that is not expected of the average person.