Unit 01
What are you interests and goals concerning this class?
Vocabulary Terms
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Forensic science
Medical forensics
Serology
mortality
Pathology
Psychology
Anthropology
Odontology
Toxicology
Hemoglobin
Mass spectrometry
Spectroscopy
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DNA
Surete
AFIS
VICAP
NCAVC
CODIS
DRUGFIRE
Physical evidence
Class evidence
Individual evidence
What is Medical Forensics?
 Definition of forensic science: the study of applying
science to legal questions
 Definition of Medical Forensics: the application of
medical science to legal questions
 Brainstorm the differences. List at least 5 things which
would be covered in forensic science but NOT in
medical forensics.
 This class deals with crime to a human body such as
assault and death, how those crimes caused harm, and
how to collect and verify evidence pertaining to the
crime.
What is Medical Forensics
 In the area of medical forensics alone, there are at least
36 specialties and sub disciplines
 Forensic medicine is the field of medicine that
interprets or establishes the facts pertaining to the
unexplained or suspicious death of a human being or
the suffering of grievous bodily harm, in civil or
criminal law cases.
History of Medical Forensics
 Using the following historical information, answer the
crossword puzzle of the people/discoveries/events
which lead to the development of medical forensics as
we know it today.
 1642 – University of Leipzip offered a course in forensic
medicine for doctors
 Early 1800’s – Paris, Eugene Francois Vidoeq (an ex-con),
formed the “Surete,” the first detective force
 Invented some forensic techniques: matching bullets
to guns, handwriting analysis & undercover
investigations
History Continued
 During the 1800’s toxicology made dramatic progress,
Mathieu Orfila is considered to be the modern father of
toxicology, having given the subject its first formal
treatment in 1813
 Mid-1800’s a crystal test was developed to test for
hemoglobin (Ludwig Teichmann)
 1859 – field of spectroscopy was started (Gustov Kirchoff
& Robert Blinsen). This led to mass spectrometry much
later which is used for trace evidence.
 1883 – Alphonse Bertillon (France) developed a
measurement system to help identify repeat offenders (14
measurements). Used in Europe & the US until the early
1900’s. Called “Bertillonage” or anthropometry
 Sherlock Holmes books fueled the interest in Forensics
History Continued
 1880 – Henry Faulds (Scotland)used fingerprints to
eliminate a suspect and convict the correct one. 1892
Francis Galton published the first scientific study on the
uniqueness of fingerprints. In 1892 in Argentina, the
first court case with fingerprints as evidence occurred.
 Late 1800’s to early 1900’s brought many changes – police
schools, investigative squads, preserving crime scenes,
handling evidence, blood test to distinguish primate
blood, move from the measurement ID system to
fingerprint classification (Scotland Yard), fiber analysis,
trace evidence, use of microscopes, gun cataloging, tool
marks (most from 1902-1909).
History Continued
 The Italian scientist Leone Lattes devised the first
workable procedure for typing dried bloodstains, 1915.
 The application of science to criminal investigation was
advocated by the Austrian magistrate Hans Gross.
 The first functioning crime lab was in Lyons, France, in
1910 by Edmond Locard, extremely important person,
coined the phrase/idea that something is always left
behind
 The first Crime Lab in the U.S. was in Los Angeles in 1923
 1916 – Berkeley, CA – school to educate investigators (August
Vollmer), precursor to the polygraph, Edward O. Heinrich –
pioneer in many areas
History Continued
 1930’s-1937- luminal was invented by Walter Specht,
arson research
 After WWII, the area saw very rapid growth, the
development of computers, the discovery and use of
DNA, etc.
 The DNA profiling technique was first reported in 1984
by Sir Alec Jeffreys at the University of Leicester in
England, and is now the basis of several national DNA
databases. Dr. Jeffreys's genetic fingerprinting was made
commercially available in 1987, when a chemical
company, ICI, started a blood-testing center in England.
History Continued
 The first murder conviction using DNA evidence came in
1988 when baker Colin Pitchfork was found guilty of the
separate murders of two schoolgirls - Lynda Mann and
Dawn Ashworth, both 15 - in Narborough, Leicestershire.
 Advancements in DNA technology led to Pitchfork's
conviction
 Both of the cases - one in 1983 and one in 1986 - involved
sexual assaults, and semen samples were taken from both
bodies.
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5405470.stm
 Demand for drug analysis is primarily responsible for the
expansion of crime laboratories
 http://www.forensicdna.com/Timeline020702.pdf
FBI History
 FBI – 1908 began with a small group to investigate and enforce
interstate law enforcement (actual FBI name came in 1935). The
crime lab started in 1935. 1975 AFIS (Automated Fingerprint
Identification System)was developed, profiling, in the mid 1980’s
VICAP (Violent Criminal Apprehension Program)was developed
for homicides, NCAVC (National Center for the Analysis of
Violent Crime), CODIS (Combined DNA Index System),
Drugfire system (guns & bullets).
 Currently at the federal level there are four agencies which offer
forensic service: FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and US
Postal Service
History assignment
 Create a Medical Forensics Timeline. You may reference
the following site:
http://www.forensicdna.com/Timeline020702.pdf
 ONLY use what applies to MEDICAL forensics.
 It must be at least two feet in length and no longer
than three feet in length
 It must be legible, but not grossly enlarged
The Crime Laboratory
 The organization of a crime lab depends on the
specific function of that particular lab. Not all labs
test all types of evidence. Most are specialized. For
example, fingerprints, DNA & mortality are very
different. All lab requirements and general
organization will be addressed in each specific unit
studied in this class.
The Crime Laboratory
 Fingerprints: The newest police booking systems no longer use
ink and cards which would then have to be scanned into the
computer. They now use “inkless” printing where the
fingerprints are scanned directly into the computer and loaded
into AFIS. This would require the computer and scanning device
and system. It would require an office type of area and climate,
as well as access to only those in law enforcement trained to use
the system. In a crime laboratory, a technician would also
require a computer system used to analyze prints and access to
AFIS, as well as equipment to “lift” a print off of evidence. The
area where the evidence is analyzed would require sterility of
other prints so as to not contaminate the evidence. A fume
hood, dusting powder, computer scanners & programs could all
be used to find prints on evidence.
The Crime Laboratory
 DNA: DNA labs require sterile work environments to
eliminate the possibility of contaminating samples.
Technicians trained in this area with the right certification
would be required to wear face masks, gowns and gloves.
Multiple pieces of equipment are required, such as a
centrifuge, fume hood, micropipets, water baths, gel
electrophoresis cells, computers with programming for
analysis, etc. The lab would need a stringent system for
cataloging the samples and keeping them from contact
with other samples. The area would need to be locked to
allow access only to those qualified to work in the lab.
The Crime Laboratory
 Mortality: Most states have medical examiners who
analyze and collect evidence from dead bodies. This is
usually done in a lab, sometimes referred to as the morgue.
The instruments used to perform an autopsy must be
sterilized between each use. The lab needs tables for the
bodies, large sinks and water sprays, cameras to record
visible evidence, medical equipment to take samples of
fluids and tissue, microscopes, etc. The examiner is
typically a medically trained doctor with specialties in
many areas, such as pathology and toxicology, etc.
Crime Labs
 The Denver Crime Lab is comprised of nine units,
including the Crime Scene Investigations Unit, the
Forensic Chemistry Unit, the Trace Evidence Unit, the
Firearms/Toolmarks Unit, the Latent Print Unit, and
the Photography Lab, the Forensic Biology/DNA
Section, the Quality Assurance Unit, and the Crime
Scene Volunteer Unit.
 The Forensic Chemistry Unit (physical evidence unit)
is staffed by forensic scientists. Their primary role is
the analysis of controlled or suspected controlled
substances.
Crime Labs
 The Forensic Biology and DNA Unit is staffed by forensic DNA
analysts and forensic biologists. These forensic scientists
examine items of crime scene evidence such as sexual assault
kits, clothing, weapons and other items, in order to identify
biological fluids and stains including blood, semen, saliva or
other cellular material.
 The Firearms/Toolmark Unit is staffed by forensic scientists. The
Firearms Unit was the first operational unit in the Denver Police
Department’s crime laboratory.
 The Latent Print Unit is staffed by both sworn police detectives
and forensic scientists. Commonly known as the first forensic
science, the use of latent prints (fingerprints, palm prints, etc.)
has been upheld in the United States court system for over 100
years. It is the first, and still primary, source for identifying
individuals.
Crime Labs
 The Forensic Imaging Unit is staffed by civilian
photographers. The unit handles the digital and video evidence
produced by the Crime Lab and Crime Scene Investigators.
 The Quality Assurance Unit is staffed by administrative
personnel. The unit maintains the laboratory’s International
Organization of Standards (ISO) requirements in partnership
with Forensic Quality Services. In accordance with the forensic
standards established by the laboratory, the QA unit assures the
excellence of the science completed by each forensic unit
according to national and international standards. Additionally,
the unit maintains all records relating to the crime laboratory.
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Crime Labs
 The Trace Evidence Unit (or physical evidence unit)is
staffed by forensic scientists, including a forensic
anthropologist. Their role is the comparative analysis
of inorganic substances that include hair shafts, fibers,
soils, paint, glass, explosive residue, and gun shot
residue. They also examine metals, tape, rope, cloth,
buttons, thread, botanicals & wood, fibers, pollen, soil,
and unknown materials (i.e., chemicals). Additionally,
the unit can conduct physical matches on items, such
as a bottle broken at a crime scene.
Crime Labs
 The Crime Scene Investigations Section is comprised
of Detectives and Sergeants, working two separate
shifts. They handle evidence identification and
collection on all major crime scenes, including officer
involved shootings. The unit also handles a variety of
evidence collection and documentation
responsibilities in an assortment of property crimes.
Other examples of crime labs
 Louisiana: DNA, Evidence Handling Unit, Drug Analysis ,
Unit ,Physical Evidence Unit ,Toxicology Unit ,Blood
,Alcohol Testing ,Crime Lab Survey
 In Utah: The Utah Bureau of Forensic Services is the
ASCLD/ISO accredited state laboratory system that
specializes in forensic science. We offer all of our services
free of charge to the police agencies of Utah.
Utah Crime Lab
 Our areas of expertise are:
 Forensic Biology: Serology, DNA, CODIS
 Forensic Chemistry: Controlled Substances (all labs), Fire
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Debris, Paint, Fibers
Impressions: Fingerprints (Southern Lab as well), AFIS,
Footwear, Tires
Firearms/Tool marks: Serial Number Restoration,
Reconstruction, Physical Matches (all Northern Lab only)
Video Enhancement
Computer Forensics: Regional Computer Forensics Lab (RCFL)
Crime Scenes: assisting agencies with crime scenes
All services are performed at the Central Lab only unless stated
otherwise
Utah Crime Lab
 We currently have 3 satellite labs throughout the state of
Utah. These labs are in Salt Lake City (Central), Ogden
(Northern), and Cedar City (Southern). Along with the 3
satellite labs, we have 3 partner labs (Murray City Police,
Cottonwood Heights Police, and the RCFL)
Physical Evidence
 Importance of Physical Evidence
 Value in investigating a crime
 Eye witnesses can be unreliable. Their story needs to
be corroborated with the evidence. There isn’t always
an eye witness to a crime.
 Physical evidence can lead to suspects, verification of
explanations (such as self-defense, suicide, etc), it can
remake a crime scene, and it is used to convince a jury
of guilt.
 Physical evidence has become virtually required in
order to convict.
Individual vs Class Evidence
Individual Evidence
Class Evidence
 Individual evidence is physical
evidence which can be traced or
linked back to one individual or
event where only 1 person could
 Class evidence is physical evidence
which could belong to more than
one person but still narrows the
field of suspects. Examples include
have been present during the crime.
Examples include DNA, blood
spatter, wear patterns on shoes or
tires, fingerprints, etc.
 IE: Nike running shoes, men’s, size
9, unique wear and cuts in sole of
shoe
brand and style of shoes, type of
tires, etc.
 IE: Nike running shoes,
men’s, size 9
Book Assignment
“Forensic Science” Textbook
 Read the case studies on pg 24 (2)
 Complete the activity on pages 30-32
 Read the case study on page 33
Review
 Know all of the vocabulary terms
 Be familiar with the order of events in the medical
forensic timeline, know what events took place, know
the people!
 Know the vocab!
 http://www.toolsforeducators.com/wordsearch/words
earchq.php?hint=text
Unit 1 Test Help Terms
 DNA
 Class evidence
 Anthropology  Individual
 Serology
 Galton
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 Orfila
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 Berkley
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 Physical
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evidence
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 Trace evidence 
 Bertillon
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evidence
Fingerprint
Expert
Toxicology
Jefferys
Chemistry
Forensics
FBI
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Vollmer
Videoq
Surete
Locard
Lattes
Gross
Heinrich
Firearms
DRUGFIRE
Sherlock
Holmes
 Drug
 DEA
 Crime Scene
 United
States Postal
Service
 Biology
 Entomology
 Bureau of
Alcohol,
Tobacco &
firearms
(ATF)