application of science to those criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in the cj system
forensic science
who developed methodology to classify fingerprints
sir francis galton, fingerprints
whos the father of forensic toxicology and studied the detection and effects of poisons on animals
mathieu orfila, toxicology
who refined the use of comparison microscope as a firearms identifier
calvin goddard, firearms identification
who wrote the book that it is still used as the reference guide for examiners
albert osborn, questioned documents
who believes that trace evidence is always left behind, a cross transfer of evidence occurs
edmond locard, trace evidence
also created locards exchange principle
who developed PCR amplification in the early 90s
kerry mullis, DNA fingerprinting
whos the father of criminal identification and developed a system of taking body measurements as identification
alphonse bertillion, biometrics
7 sections of a crime lab
- latent print
- toxicology
- ballistics/firearms
- trace evidence
- document examination
- DNA
- photography
evidence that proves a fact without the necessity of an inference or a presumption
direct evidence
a series of facts that, through inference, tends to prove a fact at issue
circumstantial evidence
evidence given by a lay or expert witness
testimonial evidence
the physical objects that are linked to the commission of a crime
physical evidence
3 considerations that must be made in order for physical evidence to be of value
- must be recognized by investigations to be relevent to the case
- evidence must be collected in the appropriate manner
- evidence must be preserved properly for further examination in a lab
evidence that can only be associated with a class but never with an individual
class characteristics
ex) hair-human, blood- AB+
evidence that can be associated with a common source to an extremely high degree of probability
individual characteristic
ex) fingerprints, bloodstains (DNA)
judges must determine admissibility using these 5 questions
- whether the theory can or has been tested
- whether it has been peer reviewed
- if there is a high known or potential rate of error
- whether there are standards controlling the technique
- whether the theory has been generally accepted
facts or opinions in criminal cases that have been generated or supported by the use of 1 or more of the disciplines of forensic science
forensic evidence
someone who establishes the facts, interprets the fact, comments on the opposing experts facts
expert witnessing
what makes someone an expert
experience and education as well as credibility of work and research
what does the 1st responding officer do at a scene
usually a patrol officer that determines needs, remove and detain witnesses and suspects, establish a perimeter
most important step of the investigation is
documenting the scene
some things you should take note of are
date, time, personnel present, info received from agency assisting, scene description, victim position, wounds, etc
take some general overview _________
photos such as outside of building, aerial photos, door ways
