Forensic Science
The application of science to criminal and civil laws.
Locard's Exchange Principle
States that when a criminal comes in contact with an object or person, a cross-transfer of evidence occurs.
Mathieu Orfila
Father of forensic toxicology.
Alphonse Bertillon
Devised the first scientific system of personal identification called anthropometry.
Francis Galton
Conducted the first definitive study of fingerprints and their classification.
Sir Alec Jeffreys
Developed the first DNA profiling test in 1984.
Crime labs
Facilities specifically dedicated to forensic analysis of criminal evidence.
Physical Science Unit
Principles and techniques of chemistry, physics, and geology use chemical tests and modern analytical instrumentation to examine drugs, glass, paint, explosives, and soil.
Biology Unit
Biologists and biochemists performing DNA profiling.
Firearms Unit
Examines firearms, discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells and ammunition.
Document Examination Unit
Studies handwriting an typewriting on questions documents, also may analyze paper or ink.
Photography Unit
Examines and records physical evidence. Prepares photographic evidence for courtrooms.
Toxicology Unit
Examines body fluids and organs to determine presence or absence or poisons and drugs. This is frequently done by the medical examiner's office.
Latent Fingerprint Unit
Examines evidence for prints.
Polygraph Unit
Many times found in the law enforcement, done by criminal investigator, though sometimes in labs.
Voiceprint Analysis Unit
Specialize in voice identification, look at a graphic representation of a voice.
Crime-scene Investigation Unit
Specially trained personnel to collect and preserve physical evidence to be processed at the lab.
Forensic Psychiatry
Looks at human behavior and legal proceedings, used in both civil and criminal cases. Involves assessment and treatment of mentally abnormal offenders.
Forensic Odontology
Dental evidence- used to identify a body, or bite marks.
Forensic Engineering
Failure analysis, accident reconstruction, and causes and origins of fires or explosions.
Forensic Computer and Digital Analysis
Identifying, collecting, preserving, and examining info from computers or cell phones.
Expert Witness
An individual whom the court determines to possess a particular skill of knowledge in a trade or profession that is not expected of the average layperson and that will aid a court in determining the truth.
Three basic functions of a forensic scientist
1. Analyze physical evidence
2. Provide expert testimony
3. Furnishing training in the proper recognition, collection and preservation of physical evidence
Edmond Locard
Pioneered the first crime lab. Developed Locard's Exchange Principle.
Physical Evidence
Any object that can establish that a crime has been committed or can link a crime and its victim or its perpetrator.
Forensic Psychology
explores why criminals commit crimes and covers the assessment and treatment of offenders.
Erasistratus
lie detection
Sung T'zu
washing away the wrong
Marthieu Orfila
Father of Toxicology; Marsh test on Lafarge Case
Anthropometry
the scientific study of the measurements and proportions of the human body.
Luke May
First to look at toolmark striations for comparison.
Franz Holzer
ABO blood typing
Walter Specht
Luminol
Luminol
A chemical that emits a blue glow when it comes in contact with blood
Alec Jeffreys
DNA fingerprinting
Forensic Pathologist
Medical doctor that primarily does autopsies and determines cause of death
Forensic Anthropologist
Person who studies bones; can help determine the age, sex, race, and approx height. PHYSICAL anthro can reconstruct an accurate face from a skull.
Forensic odontologist
Forensic dentist; can examine and x-ray the teeth and compare to files of the deceaseds local dentist.
Forensic Engineer
investigates and reports on accidents or structural failures that may have criminal implications
Forensic Entomologist
studies insects to estimate the time of death
Forensic Archaeologist
recover and interpret human remains and material evidence from burial grounds for law enforcement and other legal agencies
Forensic Botanist
an expert in the plant sciences who is involved in interpreting criminal evidence involving plant parts
forensic science technician
investigates crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence
Forensic Toxicologist
examines bodily fluids and organs to determine the presence of drugs and poisons
Forensic Computer Science
involves the examination of digital evidence
Bloodstain Pattern Analyst
They analyze patterns in blood to help gather important clues about various crimes.
Forensic Ballistics
the science of analyzing firearms, bullets and bullet impacts
Forensic DNA Analyst
Observe DNA samples found at the scene of a crime and compare it to potential suspects in order to accurately identify an entity. They can work in crime labs or private labs
Polygraph Examiner
A person who detects the truth of statements through the use of instrumentation, "trying to get the truth out
Forensic Document Examiner
involves the analysis and comparison of questioned documents with known material in order to identify whenever possible, the author or origin of the questioned document.
A forensic accountant is an accountant who:
Investigates suspected fraud
forensic psychologist
applies psychological concepts to legal issues
Criminal Law
A law that defines crimes against the public order.
Civil Law
A law that governs relationships between individuals and defines their legal rights.
beyond a reasonable doubt
The level of proof required to convict a person of a crime
preponderance of the evidence
The standard of proof in a civil case in which a judge or jury must believe the plaintiff's story and evidence is stronger than the defendant's version.
FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
which is a governmental agency that investigates crimes
DEA
The Drug Enforcement Administration is a United States federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Justice, tasked with combating drug trafficking and distribution within the United States.
BATF
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms - oversees everything according to the name
USPIS (US Postal Inspection Service)
Handles criminal investigations relating to postal service
IRS (Internal Revenue Service)
US government agency that is responsible for the collection and enforcement of taxes
Evidence Collection Unit
dispatches specially trained personnel to the crime scene to collect and preserve physical evidence
CSI effect
the influence that crime shows such as CSI have on the public's perception of forensic science.
death
the cessation, or end, of life
Autolysis
self-destruction of cells; decomposition of all tissues by enzymes of their own formation without microbial assistance
Coroner
an official who investigates violent, sudden, or suspicious deaths.
Medical Examiner
A physician who performs an autopsy when death may be accidental or violent. He or she may also serve in some jurisdictions as the coroner.
cause of death
the reason someone dies
Manner of death
one of four means by which someone dies (i.e., natural, accidental, suicidal, or homicidal)
mechanism of death
the specific body failure that leads to death
proximate cause of death
underlying cause of death
Immediate COD
an injury or disease that finally kills the individual
asphyxiation
suffocation
Exanguination
bleeding to death
Sepsis
Dangerous infection of the blood
cerebral contusion
bruising of brain tissue
livor mortis
The pooling of the blood in tissues after death resulting in a reddish color to the skin
rigor mortis
stiffness of the body that sets in several hours after death
Algor Mortis
The cooling of the body after death
Desiccation
dehydration; the process of being rendered free from moisture
Mummification
A process of embalming and drying corpses to prevent them from decaying