Forensic Science
Ms. Maglothin
A2 Tech High School
Class Website
http://a2techscience.weebly.com/forensic-science.html
What is Forensic Science?
• Forensic science is the application of natural sciences to
matters of the law:
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Geology
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to civil and criminal law
A Career in Forensic Science
• Must have a bachelor's degree, best if in chemistry, biology, or
forensic science.
• Ferris State, Michigan State, Northern Michigan University,
WCC, EMU
• Starting Salaries range from $30,000- $35,000 a year to
$80,000-$120,000 a year with 20 years experience.
When do you think the study of
forensics science began?
A.4000 BC
B. 40 BC
C. 400 AD
D.1940 AD
History of Forensic Science
Julius Ceaser
• Stabbed 44 times
• Doctor rules only 2 of
those where fatal
Mathieu Orfila (1787 – 1853)
• Father of Forensic Toxicology
Alphonse Bertillon (1853 – 1914)
• Father of Criminal
Detection and personal
identification.
Francis Galton (1822 – 1911)
• Conducted the first
definitive study of
fingerprints and their
classification.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - 1887
• Popularized physical
detection methods in a
crime scene
• Developed the
character Sherlock
Holmes
Leone Lattes (1887 – 1954)
• Devised a simple procedure for
determining the blood type (A,B,O,AB)
of a dried bloodstain
Calvin Goddard (1891 – 1955)
• Used a comparison microscope to
determine if a bullet was fired from a
specific gun
• Published study of “tool marks” on
bullets
Albert S. Osborn (1858 – 1946)
• Developed fundamental principles of
document examination
• Was responsible for the acceptance of
documents as scientific evidence by the
courts
Edmond Locard (1877 – 1966)
• Demonstrated how principles
could be incorporated into a
workable crime lab.
• Locard's exchange principle
states that once contact is
made between two surfaces
a transfer of material(s) will
occur.
J. Edgar Hoover - 1924
• FBI Crime Lab
Forensics Team
Physical Science Unit
Biological Unit
• Chemistry (drugs,
explosives)
• Physics (glass, scratches)
• Geology (soil, rocks)
•
•
•
•
Firearms Unit
Photography Unit
• Firearms
• Bullets
• Cartridge & Shells
• Ammunition
• Garments
• Records the crime scene
• Photographs
• Sketches
• Notes
Bloodstains
Body fluids
Hair and fiber
Botanical materials (wood
and plants).
Serial Killers…
Forensic Science
This concludes an
Introduction to forensic science
Exit Ticket
• What is the magic number in order to be
labeled a serial killers?