Forensic Science
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Bell-Ringer
(On a piece of Paper…to be turned in by the end
of class.), with your name, date and period.
What famous case in California (1991) made
forensic science a household name, and
projected Criminalistics forward as a recognized
and legitimate field in Science?
Why did the suspect win the criminal case but
lose the civil case? (Hint: Blood Evidence).
Forensic Science
Definition and Scope of Forensic
Science
Forensic Science is defined as the
application of science to law.
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Forensics applies knowledge and
technology of science for the definition
and enforcement of laws.
Therefore…
Forensic science is the application of
science to those criminal and civil laws
that are enforced by police agencies in a
criminal justice system.
What are the sciences involved in
Forensic Science?
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Chemistry
Biology
Physics
Geology
Physiology
…Just to name a few!
History and Development of
Forensic Science.
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Many persons believe that Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle had a huge influence in the
creation of Forensics with his fictional
character Sherlock Homes.
It was homes who first applied the newly
developing principles of serology,
fingerprinting, forearm identification and
questioned documents long before real
criminal investigators.
Who is responsible for the creation
of modern Forensic Science?
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The following is just a brief list of those
who have made the earliest contributions
to the disciplines that now make up
Forensic Science.
Mathieu Orfila (1787-1853)
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Considered the Father of Forensic
Toxicology.
Teacher of Medicine in Spain
In 1814, Orfila published the first paper on
the detection of poisons and their effects
on animals.
This established Forensic Toxicology as a
legitimate scientific endeavor.
Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914)
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Provided the first system of personal
identification.
Developed the science of Anthropometry.
Considered accurate at the time
Anthropometry was eventually replaced by
fingerprinting in the 1900’s, Bertillon’s
early efforts have earned him the
distinction as the father of criminal
identification.
Francis Galton (1822-1911)
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Undertook the first definitive study of
fingerprints and developed a methodology of
classifying them for filing.
In 1892, he published the book, Finger Prints,
which contained the first statistical proof of
supporting the uniqueness of his method of
personal identification. His work went on to
describe the basic principles that form the
present system of identification by fingerprints.
Leone Lattes (1887-1954)
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In 1901, Dr. Karl Landsteiner discovered the
blood can be grouped into different categories.
These blood groups are known as A, B, AB. And
O.
Dr Lattes intrigued by Dr. Landsteiners discovery
and its realization that these groups could be
used for identification, assisted in the creation of
a simple blood test.
This test help identify blood groups from dried
blood specimens, which was immediately applied
to Criminalistics.
Calvin Goddard (1891-1955)
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A U.S. Army Officer
Refined a technique that allowed the
comparrision of a suspects bullet to a known
bullet.
The technique utilized the comparrison
microscope.
Goddard’s contribution established the
comparrison microscope as a indispensable tool
of modern firarm examiners.
Albert S. Osborn (1858-1946)
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Developed the fundamental principles of
document examination.
Osborn’s procedures allowed documents
to be admitted into courts as evidence.
In 1910, Osborn authored the first
signifigant text, Questioned Documents.
This book is still considered the primary
reference for document examiners.
Walter C. McCrone (1916-2002)
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McCrone became the worlds leading
Microscopist.
Dr. McCrone was an advocate for the use
of Microscopes to Forensic Cases.
As a teacher he taught thousands of
Forensic Scientists.
Has evaluated thousands of pieces of
Forensic Evidence in his career.
Hans Gross (1847-1915)
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The first paper written that concerted
scientific applications to forensics was
written by Hans Gross.
Public Prosecutor and Judge in Austria.
Published several book, 1: Criminal
Investigation and 2: Criminal Anthropology
and Criminalistics.
Edmond Locard (1877-1966)
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Created the first Crime Laboratory in
Lyons, France…1910.
Eventually he became the founder and
director of the Institutes of Criminalistics
at the University of Lyons…which turned
into the leading international school for
Forensic Scientists.
His other Contributions…
Locard’s Exchange Principle
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Locard strongly believed that every
criminal can be connected to a crime by
dust particles carried from the crime
scene.
The formal definition: The exchange of
materials between two objects that occurs
whenever two objects come into contact
with one another.
Back in the United States
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In 1932, J. Edgar Hoover organized the national
laboratory, that aimed to offer forensic services
to all law enforcement agencies in the country.
The FBI is now the largest Forensic laboratory in
the world.
In 1981, the FBI created a Forensic Research
and Training Center, dedicated to the
development of new technologies to assist in
the Forensic investigative process.
In California
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The oldest crime lab in the United States
is that of the Los Angeles Police
Department in 1923.
Founded by August Vollmer.
August Vollmer’s work eventually created
the Collage of Criminalistics at University
of California @ Berkley in 1948.
Thank you for your attention!
I hope you took notes
For Next Time!
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Please refer to the plan of the week for
you homework assignment…due
tomorrow!