In Preparing this course…

I made a few assumptions:• You have an interest in forensic science• You are a fan of forensic shows on TV• You follow criminal cases on TV, newspaper, or radio• You are considering a career in the legal, judicial, or

forensics field• You love reading mystery stories• You are simply curious by nature• And finally…you chose this class because you

thought it was cool…

The Evolution of Criminal Investigation

Understanding the history of forensics

Forensic Science

• The word itself stems from the Latin word forum, which simply means “law”

• Forensic Science is simply the application of scientific principles to law• However, forensics has not been accepted for

very long

1750

• Henry Fielding – established the “Bow Street Runners”• Fielding’s runners literally ran to a crime

scene to informally investigate the scene• The gathered information (much of it useless)

and reported it to anyone who cared• The gained the reputation and

acknowledgement as the first modern detective force

1829

• British Parliament passed the Metropolitan Police Act and created one of the first legally organized police forces

• This force was stationed at the world renowned Scotland Yard (the location of the modern London Police Department)

• The Scotland Yard was established and the force was selected by Sir Robert Peel• This accomplishment has earned Sir Peel as the

father of modern policing.

Scotland Yard

• The department was headed by Sir Peel, but two commissioners were chosen: Sir Charles Rowan and Sir Richard Mayne

• The department made up of several officers, office staff, and the administration occupied 4 Whitehall Place which opened up to the famous Scotland Yard

1857

• The New York Police Department organized a picture gallery of known criminals – Rogues Gallery

• Photos lined the walls like an art gallery so the public would know criminals identities

• Pictures were arranged first by height, and then by criminal specialty

1883

• Alphonse Bertillon – established a method of identifying criminals• Taking various body measurements to

establish a profile of a criminal• This system was very inaccurate and was

abandoned at the advent of dactylography (the study of fingerprints)

1900

• Francis Galton – wrote the book Fingerprints after extensive research finding solitary identity in a fingerprint

• In 1900, the Henry System was accepted and used as a system of criminal investigation

Homework Assignment

• Do some research and write a ½ page summary of the Henry System used in fingerprinting• Be sure to explain why the system is no

longer used

1908

• The United States Congress passed a bill enacting an investigative entity • The Federal Bureau of Investigation was

established under its original name of Bureau of Investigation (name changed in 1924)

1987

• The discovery and mapping of DNA was a huge milestone for Forensics

• You all know the individuality and importance of DNA

• DNA profiling was first used in a case in 1988, but was still considered new and controversial

CAREERS IN FORENSIC SCIENCE

Becoming a Professional

What does it take?

• Most, but not all require at least a bachelor's degree• Recommended majors: Chemistry, Biology,

Physics, or Criminal Justice…unless specialized

• A lot of “on-call” time…you never know when a criminal might strike

Forensic Toxicologist• Must hold at least a master’s

degree in forensic toxicology

• Ph.D. preferred• Detect toxic substances in

the bodies being investigated

• Seek employment in:• Crime laboratories • Medical Examiners Offices • Police departments • Criminal defense and

prosecution attorneys • Hospital and Clinical

Chemistry Laboratories • Pharmaceutical Industry • High school science teachers

Crime Scene Investigator

• Minimal 2 year associates degree but bachelor’s degree preferred

• On-site training• Tasks vary from drug

identification to footprint examination to chemical identification

• Seek employment in:• Crime lab• Police/Sheriff departments• State/Federal Investigation

Offices

Forensic Nurse

• Licensed Nurse or Registered Nurse (LPN or RN)

• Specialized graduate degree or on-site training

• Examine rape victims, testify on behalf of medical examiner

• Seek employment in:• Hospital Emergency

Rooms• State Medical Examiner’s

Office• FBI

Forensic Odontologist

• Doctor of Dentistry required with specialization in forensic science

• Examine bite marks and dental molds to identify victims and suspects

• Seek Employment in :• Crime labs• State Offices• FBI• Medical Examiner’s Office

Document Examiner

• Bachelors Degree required

• On-site training• Investigate forgery,

document originality, handwriting comparisons

• Seek Employment in:• Crime labs• Local law enforcement

offices• State/Federal

Investigations

Forensic Pathologist

• Also known as medical examiner

• MD required, highly specialized training and years of medical experience

• Perform autopsies and examine bodies involved in unexpected and violent deaths

• Seek employment with:• State Offices• Federal Bureau of

Investigation

Forensic Psychologist

• Must have doctorate in counseling or forensic psychologist and complete fellowship/internship in forensic psychology

• Determine the ability of a suspect or victim to mentally be able to withstand trial

• Seek employment in:• State and local agencies• Private practice

Forensic Anthropologist

• Ph.D. required• Usually work in a

college or university• Identify bones and

bone structures

Forensic Chemist

• Bachelor’s degree or higher degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Toxicology, or Pharmacology

• Identify unknown substances, drug residue

• Work in crime labs or private labs

Forensic Entomologist

• Ph.D. Required• Work in college or

university• Identify time of

death based on presence of insects and other organisms

Dactylographer

• 2 year associates degree or higher

• On-site training• Identify suspects

based on latent prints

• Work in:• Private labs• Crime labs• Local

departments/offices

Serologist

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in biochemistry, statistics, genetics, & molecular biology

• Identify and examine body fluids

• Work in:• Crime labs• Private labs