Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview of Forensics Notes
These notes are based on the textbook "Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science" seventh edition by Richard
Saperstein (ed. Prentice Hall, 2001 pp. 1-22)
I.
Introduction: Definition and Scope
Forensic Science is
II.
History and Development of Forensic Science
Read the quote from "A Study in Scarlet" 1887 on p.3 of "Criminalistics" by Richard Saperstein.
Many believe Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had a considerable influence on popularizing scientific crime-detection methods through
his fictional character, Sherlock Holmes.
III.
A.
Aphonse Bertillon:
B.
Francis Galton:
C.
Leone Lattes:
D.
Edmond Locard:
Organization of a Crime Laboratory
Crime laboratories have been organized by agencies that foresaw their potential application to criminal investigation. Since the
1960's the number of crime labs increased due to the courts demanding secure scientifically evaluated evidence.
A.
Services of the Crime Laboratory
Many local crime laboratories have been created solely for the purpose of processing evidence, currently most of
their energy and funds are used to analyze drugs and DNA. In 1932, Hoover first established a national forensics
laboratory to support all law enforcement in the U.S. The oldest American forensics laboratory is in Los Angeles,
California, created in 1923 by August Volmer.
B.
.
Basic Services Provided by Full-Service Crime Laboratories
1.
Physical Science Unit:
2.
Biology Unit:
3.
Firearms Unit:
4.
Document Examination Unit:
5.
Photography Unit:
C. Optional Services Provided by Full-Service Crime Labs
6.
Toxicology Unit:
7.
Latent Fingerprint Unit:
8.
Polygraph Unit:
9.
Voiceprint Analysis Unit:
10.
D.
Evidence-Collection Unit:
The Functions of The Forensic Scientist
a. Conduct the Analysis of Physical Evidence (nothing needed here)
1. Expert witness:
2. Specially trained evidence collection technicians:
E. Other Forensic Science Services
Death can be classified into five different categories: _____________________, ___________________,
______________________, ______________________ or ______________________.
1. Forensic Pathologist: Investigates sudden, unnatural, unexplained or violent deaths.
a.
Rigor mortis:
b.
Livor mortis:
c.
Algor mortis:
2. Forensic Anthropology:
3. Forensic Entomology:
4. Forensic Psychiatry:
5. Forensic Odontology:
6. Forensic Engineering:
F. Other Forensic Science Vocabulary
1. Homicide
2. Latent
3. Toxicology
4. Postmortem
5. Medical Examiner
6. Decedent
7. Autopsy
8. Ambient Temperature