Prelims FD

• Forensic Science applies Chemistry, Biology, Physics, & Geology to civil and criminal law
• Forensic Science places physical evidence into a professional discipline
• Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:

  • Popularized physical detection methods in a crime scene
  • Published the first novel "A Study in Scarlet" in 1887
  • Developed the character Sherlock Holmes
• Mathieu J.B Orfila (1787 - 1853):

  • Father of Forensic Toxicology
  • Published a Treatise on detection of poisons and their effects on animals in 1814
  • Involved in the "Lafarge" arsenic poisoning case in France
• Hans Gross (Johann Baptist Gustav Gross):

  • A magistrate and law professor in Austria
  • Published a Handbook for Magistrates in 1893 that greatly influenced the practice of criminal investigations
  • Introduced the word "criminalistics"
• Alphonse Bertillon (1853 - 1914):

  • Father of Criminal Detection
  • Devised the first scientific system of personal identification using body measurements known as anthropometry in 1879
• Francis Galton:

  • Conducted the first definitive study of fingerprints and their classification
  • Published a Treatise entitled Finger Prints in 1892
• Leone Lattes (1887 - 1954):

  • "Father of Bloodstain Identification"
  • Developed a procedure for determining the blood type of a dried blood stain
• Calvin Goddard (1891 - 1955):

  • Used a comparison microscope in ballistic investigation to determine if a bullet was fired from a specific gun
  • Published a study of "tool marks" on bullets
  • In 1925, wrote a paper about the use of a comparison microscope in ballistic investigation
• Albert S. Osborn (1858 - 1946):

  • Developed fundamental principles of document examination
  • Published a Treatise "Questioned Documents" in 1910
  • Responsible for the acceptance of documents as scientific evidence by the courts
• Professor R.A. Riess:

  • Established a forensic photography laboratory at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland in 1909
• Edmond Locard:

  • Established one of the world's first police crime laboratories in Lyon, France in 1910
  • Known for the Locard Exchange principle: "Once contact is made between two surfaces a transfer of material will occur"
• American Academy of Forensic Science (AAFS):

  • Established in 1948
  • Approximately 5,000 members representing all forensic science disciplines and specialties
• American Society of Crime Lab Directors (ASCLD):

  • Established in the early 1970s
  • Created a lab accreditation board (ASCLD/LAB) which began in 1982
• Crime Lab Units:

  • Standard units include Physical Science, Biology, Firearms, Documents, and Photography
  • Optional units include Toxicology, Fingerprints, Polygraph, Voice Print, and Evidence
• Physical Science Unit:

  • Applies principles and techniques of Chemistry, Physics, Geology to the identification and comparison of crime scene evidence
• Biology Unit:

  • Identifies dried bloodstains and body fluids
  • Compares hairs and fibers
  • Identifies and compares botanical materials such as wood and plants
  • Performs DNA analysis
• Firearms Unit:

  • Examines firearms, discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells, and ammunition of all types
• Document Examination Unit:

  • Analyzes handwriting, paper, and printers of documents
• Photography Unit:

  • Examines and records physical evidence at the crime scene and at suspects' locations
• Toxicology Unit:

  • Examines body fluids and organs to determine the presence and identification of drugs and poisons
• Latent Fingerprint Unit:

  • Processes and examines evidence for latent fingerprints found on surfaces
• Polygraph Unit:

  • Uses lie detectors, an essential tool of the crime investigator
• Voiceprint Analysis Unit:

  • Involved in cases of telephone threats or tape-recorded messages
  • Can connect a voice to a particular suspect
• Evidence-Collection Unit:

  • Incorporates evidence collection into a total forensic science service
• Forensic Pathology:

  • Determines the cause of death and manner of death
  • Involves the study of diseases and bodily changes caused by diseases
• Forensic Anthropology:

  • Involves the identification and examination of skeletal remains
  • Determines ethnicity, sex, approximate age, and manner of death
• Forensic Entomology:

  • Studies insects and their developmental stages to determine the time of death
• Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology:

  • Concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness
  • Evaluates offenders for civil and criminal competence
• Forensic Odontology:

  • Analyzes human dentition for identifying human remains and bite mark comparisons
• Forensic Engineering:

  • Analyzes construction accidents, causes, and origins of fires or explosions
• Forensic Computer Science:

  • Uses information located on computers and electronic devices as investigative aids
• Forensic Analysis:

  • Involves the examination, identification, and interpretation of items of physical evidence
• Forensic Toxicology:

  • Studies the effects of poisons and drugs in the body
  • Determines the presence and amounts of extraneous materials in the body
• Functions of the Forensic Scientist:

  • Includes analysis of physical evidence, expert witness testimony, and evidence collection
• Forensic Science Specialties:

  • Include Livor Mortis, Algor Mortis, Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Entomology, Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, Forensic Odontology, Forensic Engineering, Forensic Computer Science, and Forensic Toxicology
• Forensic Science applies Chemistry, Biology, Physics, & Geology to civil and criminal law
• Forensic Science places physical evidence into a professional discipline
• Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:

  • Popularized physical detection methods in a crime scene
  • Published the first novel "A Study in Scarlet" in 1887
  • Developed the character Sherlock Holmes
• Mathieu J.B Orfila (1787 - 1853):

  • Father of Forensic Toxicology
  • Published a Treatise on detection of poisons and their effects on animals in 1814
  • Involved in the "Lafarge" arsenic poisoning case in France