Introduction to Introduction to Forensics Forensics

What it encompassesWhat it encompasses

ForensicsForensics

application of science to lawapplication of science to law

Branches of forensicsBranches of forensics

PathologyPathology Fingerprints Fingerprints ToxicologyToxicology EntomologyEntomology Anthropology Anthropology BotanyBotany OdontologyOdontology

Branches of ForensicsBranches of Forensics

SerologySerology DNA electrophoresisDNA electrophoresis Document examinationDocument examination Impression evidenceImpression evidence

ToolmarksToolmarks Tire printsTire prints Shoe printsShoe prints

Computer analysisComputer analysis ArsonArson

Branches of ForensicsBranches of Forensics

ProfilingProfiling Environmental forensicsEnvironmental forensics Wildlife forensicsWildlife forensics Firearms/BallisticsFirearms/Ballistics Trace EvidenceTrace Evidence

HairHair FibersFibers SoilSoil glassglass

EngineeringEngineering

Branches of ForensicsBranches of Forensics

PhotographyPhotography PolygraphsPolygraphs Audio specialists/VoiceprintsAudio specialists/Voiceprints Video analysisVideo analysis Psychiatry Psychiatry

CompetenceCompetence State of mindState of mind profilingprofiling

Locard Exchange PrincipleLocard Exchange Principle

When two objects come into When two objects come into contact, material is exchanged.contact, material is exchanged.

Expert witnessesExpert witnesses

Allowed to offer an opinion Allowed to offer an opinion during testimonyduring testimony

1923 Frye Standard (general 1923 Frye Standard (general acceptance)acceptance)

1993 Daubert Standard1993 Daubert Standard

Daubert vs Merrell DowDaubert vs Merrell Dow

morning sickness drug caused morning sickness drug caused birth defectsbirth defects

plantiffs had many expertsplantiffs had many experts court ruled against the experts court ruled against the experts

saying the methods were not saying the methods were not generally accepted within the generally accepted within the professionprofession

Daubert standardsDaubert standards

Judge determines who is an expert: Judge determines who is an expert:

A) Has the expert’s scientific method A) Has the expert’s scientific method been tested?been tested?

B) Has the expert’s method been the B) Has the expert’s method been the subject of peer review and testingsubject of peer review and testing

C) What is the actual or potential rate of C) What is the actual or potential rate of error?error?

D) do other scientists generally accept D) do other scientists generally accept the expert’s methods?the expert’s methods?

Who runs forensic labs?Who runs forensic labs?

privateprivatePolicePolicecoroner/medical examinercoroner/medical examinerstatestateuniversityuniversitySecret ServiceSecret ServiceFBIFBIATFATF

What keeps crime labs the What keeps crime labs the busiest?busiest?

1.1. DrugsDrugs2.2. DNADNA