Forensics Unit 1 Notes
Chapter 1
I.
What is Forensic Science? a.
Forensic Science/Criminalistics - the examination of physical evidence. b.
Evidence - anything that tends to establish or disprove a fact. i.
Testimony ii.
Documents iii.
Weapon iv.
Chemical or Biological v.
Fiber… c.
Ballistics - the science that deals with the motion, behavior, and effects of projectiles. i.
Firearms ii.
Bullets
II.
Crime Labs a.
Publicly Funded b.
FBI – largest lab in the world c.
Common Divisions i.
Physical evidence (drugs, soil, grass…) ii.
Firearms iii.
Documents iv.
Biology d.
Larger labs have additional divisions i.
Photos ii.
Toxicology iii.
Latent fingerprints iv.
Polygraphs v.
Arson e.
Counseled by outside scientists i.
Anthropology - study the human skeleton ii.
Psychiatry- study and treatment of mental disorders iii.
Odontology - bite marks and dental id iv.
Engineering v.
Computers vi.
Pathology - sudden, unexplained or violent death vii.
Geology- rock or soil viii.
Environmental Sci. ix.
Entomology - insects x.
Palynology - pollen and spores xi.
Polygraphy - “lie detector”, not admissible in court
III.
Significant History Highlights- (do not memorize) a.
700 AD: Chinese used fingerprints to establish identity of documents and clay sculptures.
b.
1149: King Richard of England introduced idea of the coroner to investigate questionable deaths.
c.
1959: James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the DNA double helix. d.
1977: AFIS developed by the FBI; fully automated in 1996. e.
1984: Jeffreys developed and used the first DNA tests to be applied to a criminal case. f.
1986: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) g.
1998: DNA is indexed (CODIS) h.
2002: CODIS used to convict i.
2007: Largest AFIS storage operated by Department of Homeland Security

IV.
Methodology a.
Scientific Method - i.
Problem statement ii.
Research iii.
Hypothesis iv.
Experiment v.
Results vi.
Conclusion b.
The Locard Principle -"with contact between two items, there will be an exchange"
V.
Criminal Justice and the Law a.
Statutory Law - legislative acts declaring, commanding, or prohibiting something b.
Case Law - the body of law made up of judicial opinions and precedents c.
Stare dicisis - “to stand by the decision,” meaning previous legal decisions are to be followed d.
Civil Law - law that deals with noncriminal suits brought to protect or preserve a civil or private right or matter e.
Criminal Law - regulation and enforcement of rights, setting the acceptable limits of conduct in society f.
Misdemeanor - a minor crime, lass than a felony, usually punished with a fine or confinement other than in a prison g.
Felony - a serious crime, such as murder, punishable by more than one year of imprisonment up to execution h.
Probative Value -The ability of evidence to prove something that is material to a crime i.
Material - relevant and significant j.
Probable Cause - situation in which a reasonable and prudent person, viewing the available info., would conclude that a crime has been committed and that a suspect committed it
VI.
Types of Crimes a.
Violation - a breach of right duty, or law b.
Infraction - violation of a rule or law that is not punishable by prison
VII.
Pursuing Justice a.
Elements - in criminal law, the specific factors or parts of a crime b.
Booking - a police procedure following arrest that records basic info. About the suspect, a photo and fingerprints and perhaps a lineup c.
Miranda rights - rights guaranteed by the constitution that police must tell arrestees about especially the right to remain silent the right to an attorney d.
Arraignment - the first act in a criminal proceeding, where the defendant is brought before the court to hear charges and enter a plea e.
Bail - money that guarantees the defendant will appear f.
Nolo contendere - no contest, not confession but punished as though guilty g.
Preliminary hearing - before judge to determine if the suspect should be held for trial h.
Grand jury - group of people sworn to inquire about a crime and possibly accuse i.
Indict - formally accuse j.
Plea bargain - pleads guilty to lesser charge to avoid cost and time of trial k.
MMO - Motive, Means and Opportunity (must be established to prove guilt)
VIII.
Federal Rules of Evidence a.
Material witness - has info. about subject b.
Hearsay - testimony given by what others say c.
Expert - specialist in a certain area d.
Frye standard - evidence only admissible if “sufficiently established” e.
Daubert Ruling - revision of Frye- incorporates the scientific method –error rates… i.
no “junk science”