Intro to Forensic Science
8.20.14
What is Forensic Science?
What is Forensic Science?
• “The application of science to the criminal
and civil laws that are enforced by police
agencies in a criminal justice system.”
• Few techniques of forensic science are
unique to the field. Rather, it borrows from
biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and
anthropology for the above purpose.
Crime Investigations
• While Forensic
Science may start at
the scene of the
crime, most work
takes place in the
crime lab.
Crime Laboratories
• First established in 1923 in LA.
• FBI established first federal crime lab in
1932
• Most cities now have their own crime
labs…why???
Crime Lab Services
• Physical Science Unit: Applies principles of
chemistry, physics, and geology to the
identification and comparison of physical
evidence from crime scene.
 Examples: Drugs, glass, paint, explosives, soil,
fibers, etc.
Lab Services, cont.
• Biology Unit:
Performs DNA
analysis, identifies
bloodstains and other
bodily fluids, identifies
and compares
botanical materials,
compares hairs and
other natural fibers.
Lab Services, cont.
• Firearms Unit:
Examines firearms,
discharged bullets,
cartridge cases,
shotgun shells, and
ammunition.
Lab Services, cont.
• Document Examination Unit:
Analyzes handwriting, paper, checks,
and printers of documents.
Lab Services, cont.
• Photography Unit:
Examines and records
physical evidence at
the crime scene,
suspect’s location,
and within crime lab
Additional Specialized Units
• Toxicology Unit: Examines organs and
fluids to determine presence and
identification of drugs or poisons.
• Fingerprint Unit: Processes and
examines latent fingerprints.
Additional Specialized Units
• Polygraph Unit: Lie detector tests
• Voiceprint Analysis Unit: Analyze
telephone or other vocal messages for
individual, location, etc.