Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science
Name________________
Chapter One Outline
Chapter 1 Learning Objectives:
1. Define forensic science or criminalistics.
2. Recall the major contributors to the development of forensic science.
3. Know four major federal crime laboratories and their main focus.
4. Understand the purpose and function of state and local crime laboratories.
5. Identify the services provided by various units of typical crime laboratories.
6. Be familiar with the optional services provided by full-service crime laboratories.
7. Be familiar with the Frye Standard.
8. Be familiar with the outcome of Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical, Inc. case and what
this means in terms of the admissibility of scientific evidence.
9. Explain the role and responsibilities of the expert witness.
10. Be aware of other areas of forensic science that require expertise in a specialized area.
I. Definitions:
Forensic Science:
Criminal:
Civil:
II. Scientific Method
Definition:
Steps:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Handouts:
1
III. History of Forensic Science
A. Mathieu Orfila
B. Alphonse Bertillion
C. Francis Galton
D. Leone Lattes
E. Calvin Goddard
F. Albert S. Osborn
G. Hans Gross
H. Edmond Locard
Locard Exchange Principle:
Name one other forensic scientist that your group found during our GEAR activity.
What did this person do?
Handouts/Labs:
2
IV. Federal Crime Labs:
A. Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Crime Lab
B. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Crime Lab
C. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) Crime Lab
D. U.S. Postal Inspection Service Lab
V. State/Local Labs
A. New York State Police Labs
B. Local
VI. Units of typical crime laboratories
A. Physical Science Unit
B. Biology Unit
3
C. Firearms Unit
D. Document Examination Unit
E. Photography Unit
VII. Optional services provided by some crime labs
A. Toxicology Unit
B. Latent Fingerprint Unit
C. Polygraph Unit
D. Voiceprint Analysis Unit
E. Evidence-Collection Unit
VIII. Legal Stuff… The Frye Standard
A. Name of court case: __________________________________
B. What does it mean?
C. Generally accepted by whom? _____________________________
4
IX. Legal Stuff… Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmeceutical Inc.
A. The case:
B. Ruling:
C. The trial judge becomes what? _____________________________
D. See guidelines on page 13 of your text
X. Legal Stuff… Expert Witness vs. Layperson
A. Expert Witness
B. Layperson or Eye Witness
Activity:
XI. Other forensic science services
A. Forensic Pathology
B. Forensic Anthropology
5
C. Forensic Entomology
D. Forensic Psychiatry
E. Forensic Odontology
F. Forensic Engineering
Handouts/Activities:
Saferstein, Richard. Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science. 7th ed. Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2001.
Outline compiled by: C. Warren, M. Knaier, 2002-2004
6