Forensics
Ashlynn Watson 7th
Introduction
Crime labs are divided into 3 main categories, Basic services, optional services, and special forensic science services.
Basic services includes: physical science unit, biology unit, firearms unit, and photography/ documentation unit.
Optional services include: toxicology, fingerprint analysis, voice print analysis, polygraph administration, and crime scene investigation.
Special forensic services include: forensic pathology, forensic anthropology, forensic entomology, forensic psychiatry, forensics odtology, forensic computer science and forensics engineering.
Forensic Scientists: should be skilled in applying scientific method, provide expert testimony, participate in training law enforcement personnel.
Forensic databases: Combined DNA Index System (DNA profiling), Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (fingerprint system), Integrated Ballistics Identification system (weapons)
Crime Scene and Physical Evidence
Examination: Secure the scene, separate the witnesses, scan the scene, sketch the scene, search for evidence, secure the collected evidence, survey the overall crime scene for additional evidence and close up photos.
Significance: Physical evidence provides a tangible object for the jury to see, can be taken to the jury, the defendant cannot distort the physical evidence, it is not subjected to memory loss.
Preserving a Crime Scene: Record, sketch, notes, spiral, grid, strip, and zone search.
the scene must be kept in a unaltered state.
Role of FBI and CSI
Forensic Science Careers
Common Misconceptions of Forensic Science
Fun Facts
Alphonse Bertillon- the father of anthropometry
Francis Galton- father of fingerprinting
Frye v. US- set the decision to guidelines for determining the admissibility of scientific evidence into the courtroom.