Transcript Forensics INtroduction

Introduction to Forensic
Science
Forensics 1
Definition of Forensics
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The application of science to the law
Composed of a blend of numerous fields
depending upon the type of case
Not just used in criminal law, but also civil
law
More often used to establish innocence than
guilt
Can also be applied to non “law” based cases
Definition of Criminology
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The application of social sciences
(psychology and sociology) to the study of
crime and criminals
A criminalist applies the laws of physical
sciences and natural sciences to the
analysis of physical evidence that may be
used in criminal or civil proceedings
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Actual name used can vary from one
jurisdiction to another
Crime Labs
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Primary resource for evidence collection
US government operates four main labs
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FBI
ATF
USPS
DEA
Other specialized labs abound
Select History of Forensics
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Used for centuries in one way or another
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Richard I creates a “coroner” to investigate unknown
deaths
Entomology case used by Chinese “death investigator”
in 1235 AD
1670 - First high powered microscope invented
(Van Leeunwenhoek)
1776 – Paul Revere uses forensic odontology to
identify General Joseph Warren (killed at Breeds
Hill)
1810 – First detective force is created in France
(The Surete)
1813 – First forensic toxicology book published
Select History of Forensic Science
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1839 – Scotland Yard created
1887 - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle creates
________
1888 – Jack the Ripper terrorizes London
1892 - Francis Galton writes “Fingerprints”
1893 - Hans Gross writes first essay on
using science to solve crimes
Select History of Forensic Science
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1903 – NYC begins fingerprinting suspects
1905 – FBI established
1910 - Edmond Locard develops Locard’s
Exchange Principle
1915 – Bloodtyping identified
1921 - First lie detector test
1923 - LAPD starts the first police crime lab
1923 – Interpol created
1932 – FBI crime lab started
1954 – Breathalyzer created
Select History of Forensic Science
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1959 – Structure of DNA identified
1977 – AFIS created
1984 – Discovery that DNA is “unique”
1996 – DNA admitted in court for first
time
1998 – FBI starts NDIS (National DNA
Index System)
Scotland Yard
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Scotland Yard
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1839 London
consolidates their police
force and bases them at
4 Whitehall Place
Property formerly owned
by Scottish monarchy
hence the name
The FBI
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1905
Started by President Teddy Roosevelt
Federal policing was more political than
professional
Started with 2 special agents
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Now has more than 34,000 employees
Largest division deals with “white collar crime”
Based in Washington D.C.
Most famous Chief – J. Edgar Hoover
(1924-1972)
Interpol
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1923 founded in Austria
Intl. Criminal Police Organization
184 member nations
3rd largest organization in the World
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(Only UN and FIFA are larger)
HQ in Lyon, France
Hazards of Forensics
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Whether in or out of a lab, forensics can
be hazardous work
Physical dangers include exposure to
substances, diseases and dangerous
locations
Emotional trauma may result from
exposure to unusually violent events
(plane crashes, etc.)
Physical Hazards
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Exposure Risks
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Inhalation
Entry into the lungs and bloodstream through the
air
 Can take the form of sprays, mists, smoke, vapors,
gases or fumes
 Most likely contamination route
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Ingestion
Dangerous if agents are corrosive or poisonous
 Must be certain to wash hands after investigation
 Should never eat or drink within a scene
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Physical Hazards
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Exposure Risks
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Injection
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Certain crime scenes may contain items that can inject
pathogens directly into the body
Items may include boards with nails, needles, etc.
Extreme caution sbould be exercised when in an area with
sharp objects
Mucous Membrane Contact
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Includes the skin, eyes, nose
Certain chemicals may be able to penetrate skin or cause
localized damage to the contaminated area
Safety goggles and gloves are a must
Emotional Hazards
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Can occur at any incident but is especially
possible at violent crime scenes and mass
casualty incidents
Psychologists are often called in to deal
with these incidents (CISM)
Symptoms may include substance abuse,
anger, anxiety, depression, guilt,
nightmares, memory loss, etc.