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Introduction to
Forensic Science
What is
Forensic Science?
Brainstorm with someone
next to you and record
answers to the questions
about what forensic science is
Forensic Science
The application of scientific
knowledge and methodology to
legal problems and criminal
investigations
Types of Science used in Forensics
Chemistry
Biology
Firearms
Document Examination
Photography
Toxicology and Drug Analysis
Technology
Fingerprints
Job Description:
Process and document crime scenes
Collect and preserve evidence
Analyze and compare evidence in laboratory
Reconstruction of data (form the “best theory” of
events in the case)
Testify as an expert witness
Scientific research
Training others in forensic science
Types of Forensics
Computer Forensics
Computers for fraud and the pursuit of other
crimes has increased to dramatic proportions.
Specialists deal with computer crime.
Computer crime is not only about fraud. Computer
crimes also deal with pornography, child sex abuse
and the sale of black market goods online.
Forensic Accounting
A forensic accountant will seek to trace any financial
discrepancies within a company's accounts and use so-called
'paper trails' or 'audit trail’
Forensic Archaeology
Archaeology and anthropology are the study of historic human
remains and the objects, buildings and other artifacts associated
with them.
Forensic Dentistry
Forensic Dentistry is the area of forensic medicine concerned
with the examination of teeth, especially in the cases of victims
who cannot be identified.
Forensic Entomology
Entomology is the study of insects. Forensic entomologists use
insects to provide more information about crimes.
Forensic Graphology
Forensic Graphology is the study of handwriting especially that
found in ransom notes, poison pen letters or blackmail
demands.
Forensic Medicine
If a body is found in a field with no visible signs of injury
forensic medicine seeks to answer the questions; how did the
body get there, how did the person die.
Forensic Pathology
Forensic pathology involves discovering the cause of death,
especially in cases where it is sudden or the police suspect
that it has not occurred by natural causes.
Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology is the forensic study of the mind and the ways
in which the mind works, especially in the instances of violent crime.
Forensic Toxicology
Forensic toxicology deals with the investigation of toxic substances,
environmental chemicals or poisonous products. If you have ever
been asked to take a drug test for work or you know someone who
has, then you are already familiar with one of the applications of
forensic toxicology. The toxicology part refers to the methods used
to study these substances. Forensic toxicology is actually a bit of a
mix of many other scientific disciplines such as chemistry, pathology
and biochemistry. It also shares ties with some of the environmental
sciences.
Degree Requirements
B.S. in science (preferred to be in biology,
chemistry or forensic science)
Some schools specialize in a forensic science
B.S. degree (ex. John Jay College of Criminal
Justice)
http://www.jjay.cuny.edu/forensic-science-bs
http://www.ehow.com/video_5113638_foren
sic-scientist_.html
Forensic Scientist
Skills Needed:
Good observation skills – use 5 senses
Analytical skills – ability to identify problem,
organize info, draw conclusions
Deductive reasoning – using logical steps to
draw a conclusion based on facts or evidence
Are Forensic Scientists part of the
police department?
Varies by County and State (some lab are
independent labs some are part of the police
department)
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/forensic/la
baccreditation.htm
Lab must be accredited to hold up in court
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/19/nyregi
on/19nassau.html?_r=0
Crime Labs
Four Major Federal Crime
Laboratories
FBI
-Federal Bureau of
Investigation
- largest crime lab in the
world
ATF
- Bureau of Alcohol Tabaco
and Firearms
-analyzes alcoholic beverages,
weapons, explosives
DEA
- Drug Enforcement
Administration
- analyzes drugs seized
USPIS
-U.S. Postal Inspection
Service
- crimes involving the postal
service
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_58XsN6XJWQ
Crime Lab History
 R.A. Riess – first forensic photography lab in 1909 in
Switzerland.
 Edmond Locard – first crime lab in France (and in the world)
in 1910… “Locard Exchange Principle”
 In the U. S., crime labs began in police agencies…
 August Vollmer – first crime lab in the U. S. in 1928 in the
Los Angeles Police Department.
 Calvin Goddard – first to use forensic science in the U. S.
following the St. Valentine’s Day massacre in Chicago
examining bullet and cartridge case evidence in 1929.
The FBI started it’s crime lab in 1932.
The New York City Police Department began its crime
laboratories in 1934.
In 1994, Congress passed the “DNA Identification Act”
CODIS – “Combined DNA Index System” is a DNA database
funded by the FBI…national databases of DNA profiles from
convicted offenders, unsolved crime scene evidence, and
missing persons.
Draw a Criminal
Take 5 minutes to draw what you think a criminal looks
like (don’t just draw a stick figure)
Take a moment to examine your drawing. Give a
written explanation of why your drawing
represents a criminal in your conclusion sheet.
Perception
Objective: Determine if you would be a good eye
witness
Do Now: Memory Challenge
Directions:
You will have 30 seconds to view the next screen.
Try to memorize all 20 items you see!
You are NOT allowed to write anything down
You CANNOT talk to anyone else.
What do you remember?
How did you do?
All 20 – Awesome
15-19 – Great
10-14 – Pretty swell
5-9 – Could be better
4 or Less – Wake up
How are observations made?
We Use Our senses
Sight
Taste
Hearing
Smell
Touch
These observations can be flawed
How information is processed
by the brain:
Are eyewitness testimonies
reliable?
Lets test your observation skills:
Watch this Short video (25 sec) with 6 students
and 2 basketballs (3 in black and 3 in
white)
Your task is to count the # of passes between
players in white (do not say anything until I ask)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2
Mvo
Intentional Blindness
The Monkey Business Illusion:
Now that you KNOW about the surprise,
watch the 2nd video and count the number
of passes between the players in white as
directed . How many times did the players in
white pass the ball?
http://www.theinvisiblegorilla.com/videos.h
tml
When you watched the video the second
time, what did you miss?
How reliable is the following question: Did
you notice anything on the night of
September 5th?
Given this, how likely is a witness to observe
numerous details of a particular crime?
Change Blindness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWSxSQ
sspiQ
Given the close proximity of the gentleman in
white hair to the experimenter, what does
this say about the reliability of eyewitnesses
identifying criminals?
Conclusion
Given the unreliable nature of eyewitness
testimony, summarize the importance of
forensic evidence rather than eyewitness
accounts in criminal proceedings on your
conclusion sheet.
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitness Identification
DO NOW: Find your group from Friday. You name is
on the inside left cover of the folder.
Individually on the small sheet of paper write down 2
truths and 1 lie about how you spent the summer. The
lie can be first, second, or third on your list.
Once everyone is finished, one by one read off your
list. The other members will try to pick out the lie
from the truth. Try to stump each other!
Class Discussion:
Compare you suspect ID’s (similarities and
differences)
What did you find difficult about making an
eyewitness account?
Do you feel confident in your identification?
Sketch artist of eyewitness
account
Digital Sketch
http://asistm.duit.uwa.edu.au/forensics/faces/
The police Lineup
Based on the unreliability police are hesitant
to perform a lineup.
Lets see how good you are
Observation of a crime
http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/~glwells/theeyew
itnesstest.html
While viewing the following
video take note as to how the
Norwood Police dept. has
improved upon the reliability
of the lineup.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY8NzTCT97Q
Ronald Cotton
The story of Ronald Cotton
Part One:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbARxiM0W_Q
Take notes in you case study notes.
What did you think of the outcome of the original Ronald
Cotton trial without the DNA evidence?
How about the 2nd Trial’s outcome?
How do you now feel about the rape victim Jennifer
Thomson thus far in the Ronald Cotton Video?
Part Two:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtelV9lmzQc
Conclusion
How will you change the way you witness a crime?
When answering an officer, how will you defend your
eyewitness account? For example: will you be 100%
sure of an answer?
Kenny Waters
The Innocence Project: Kenny
Waters
http://www.innocenceproject.org/know/conviction/
Read the case summary on Kenny Waters exoneration
by the innocence project and attached letter from his
sister Anne Waters.
CONCLUSION: in your notes briefly explain whether
you think Kenny Waters would be convicted today.
Be sure to explain why or why not.
Deadly Picnic
Deductive Reasoning
Objective: Use evidence to draw conclusions
Do Now: Think about what you think
happened at this crime scene?
The deadly picnic lab
Use your deductive reasoning skills to solve
the case of the deadly picnic.
Conclusion: Write a summary about the
objective and outcome of this lab.
JonBenet Ramsey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zeyqmxsFv0
JonBenet Ramsey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHMJ72Yhm9Y
Testimonial Witness
Body Language
Objective: Identify and describe how perception
and body language affect judgment and memory
There is no perfect formula for being an accurate
eyewitness as memory is not always accurate
Stay calm and think about what you have seen
Fact – a statement that can be verified
Opinion – a personal belief not based on certainty
Record it! But seeing is not always believing!
Objective: Identify and describe how perception
and body language affect judgment and memory
Non-verbal communication can tell you a lot about
the statement given
Expressions, gestures, or postures that than
unconsciously communicate someone’s
feelings or psychological state
Objective: Identify and describe how perception
and body language affect judgment and memory
Some indicators to look for:
Watch the eyes
Look for fidgeting
Look for covering the mouth or touching the face
Observe for a dry mouth
Pay attention to gestures
Crossing arms or legs
Body pointed away from you or avoiding eye
contact
Polygraphs
Objective: To understand the usefulness of
a Polygraph in criminal cases
Do Now: What is a polygraph? How do Polygraphs Work?
Modern polygraph was invented by James Larson in 1921.
Polygraph’s work by attempting to detect unconscious changes in the body such
as increased heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and changes in skin such
as sweating
The admissibility of polygraph results in court are on a case by case basis
Voice detectors were invented in the 1970’s to detect changes in stress of the
voice (article)
Inside the Interrogation Room 40 minutes
Casey Anthony
Case Study: Casey Anthony
Objective: review the evidence presented at
the Casey Anthony trial.
DO NOW: What do you know about the
Casey Anthony trial? Discuss.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNh3Rbx
U8vk
The many faces of Casey Anthony
Read the case study and complete the
worksheet and reflection sheet.
Be prepared to report out in class.
Conclusion: What new information about the
Casey Anthony case did you learn and has it
changed your opinion? Take notes of your
case study sheet!
Crime Procedures
Objective: You will examine the steps of justice to
discover the procedure once a crime is committed
1. Investigation
Crime scene documented and searched for evidence
Information is gathered for prosecutor
Determine if there is enough evidence for probable
cause
Probable Cause – reason for making a search
2. Arrest Warrant Issued
No warrant needed if an officer was present
95% of all arrests occur without a warrant.
3. During Arrest
Suspect is read Miranda rights
Suspect is “booked”- fingerprinted and photographed
Suspect is presumed innocent
4. Within 72 hours:
Non Jury Hearing
Prosecution presents case
Accused can cross examine and provide favorable
evidence
5. Judge:
Assures defendant has a lawyer and understands the
charge
If it is a Misdemeanor, the court may accept a plea
6. For Felonies
Judge sets preliminary hearing to decide if there is
probable cause
If the defendant pleads:
Guilty
Not Guilty
Sentencing Date
Trial Date
The Burden of Proof
The burden of proof is on the prosecution
50% of persons arrested are convicted
25% of those arrested are sentenced to 1 or more
years in prison
90% of cases are plea bargained
The Legal System
Civil LawDeals with the relationships between individuals
Ex. Contracts, marriage, divorce, wills property
Criminal Law –
Deals with offenses against an individual
Two types:
Misdemeanor:
minor crime theft
minor
assault & battery
Small amounts of drugs
Felony:
Rape
Murder
Armed robbery
Serious assaults
Dealing drugs
Fraud
Auto theft
Forgery
Bill of Rights
The “Bill of Rights”
The “Bill of Rights” gives individuals the right to:
•
Be presumed innocence until proven guilty.
•
not to be searched unreasonably.
•
not to be arrested without probable cause.
•
“reasonable” search and seizure of personal property.
•
refuse self-incrimination.
Bill of Rights continued:
 fair questioning by police.
 protection from physical harm throughout the justice process.
 to an attorney.
 trial by jury.
 be made aware of charges.
 cross-examine prosecution witnesses.
 not be tried again for the same crime.
Bill of Rights continued…
 guard against cruel and unusual punishment.
 due process.
 speedy trial.
 excessive bail and fines.
 equal treatment regardless of race, gender, religion, country of
origin and other personal attributes.
Miranda v. Arizona
 In 1963, Ernesto Miranda, a 23 year old mentally
challenged man was arrested for stealing $8.00 from a
bank in Phoenix, Arizona. After 2 hours of questioning,
not only did he confess to stealing the money, but he
confessed to the kidnapping and rape of an 18 year old
woman 11 days earlier. He was never told that he did
not have to speak or that he was allowed to have a
lawyer present.
Outcome of the Case:
 At the trial, Miranda’s lawyer tried to get the confession
thrown out, but it was denied.
 In 1966, the case went to the Supreme Court. The Supreme
Court ruled that Miranda’s confession was inadmissible and
could not be used as evidence because he was not advised of
his rights.
Miranda Rights
 Your “Miranda Rights” are named after a U.S. Supreme
court case Miranda v. Arizona S384 US 436 (1966).
 The police must advise suspects of their "Miranda
Rights" - their right to remain silent, their right to an
attorney, and the right to an appointed attorney if they
are unable to afford counsel - prior to conducting a
custodial interrogation.
 If a suspect is not in police custody (i.e., "under
arrest"), the police do not have to warn him of his
rights.
th
4
Amendment
The
th
4
Amendment
is an amendment to the United States
Constitution and part of the Bill of Rights.
It prohibits unreasonable searches and
seizures and requires any warrant to be
judicially sanctioned and supported by
probable cause.
Types of Searches
LOOKING AROUND IN A HOME OR APARTMENT
LOOKING INTO AN AUTOMOBILE
WIRE TAPS
TAKING BLOOD/URINE/DNA
LOOKING THROUGH BINOCULARS AND TELESCOPES
X-RAYS
LOOKING THROUGH POCKETS AND PURSES
DOG-SNIFFING
Legal Warrantless Searches
Searches after an
arrest
Consent searches
Plain view
Stop and frisk
Hot pursuit
Automobile
Inventory
Border and airport
searches
Exigent
circumstances
Exceptions to the warrant
requirement
Read the six major exceptions to the warrant
requirement and complete the examples.
Examples Explained:
Example 1: The heroin is admissible evidence
for which no warrant was required as the
glove compartment is certainly within John’s
wingspan. The gun found in the trunk,
however, was not within his wingspan, and
was the result of an unreasonable search.
This evidence will be excluded.
Example 2
According the the plain view exception the
guns are admissible in court since they were
responding to possible crime and the guns
were in plain sight.
Example 3
Because Timmy, being a small child, was not
legally able or authorized to give consent, the
entry was illegal and the evidence will be
excluded.
Example 4
Despite the fact that Officer Harker’s “spideysense” proved accurate once again, the
evidence will be excluded as he cannot
articulate any reason why he stopped Ivan,
other than his unusually active neck hairs.
Example 5
While it’s great to get the drugs off the street,
unfortunately we can’t use this as evidence
against anyone. The search was illegal, as the
automobile exception to the warrant
requirement only applies when the vehicle is
actually capable of being moved. That’s the
whole point of the exception!” A dejected
Demidum continues on to the station, where
he has to tolerate cars drawn in shaving
cream on his locker for the next month.
Example 6
They can arrest Fred for his crimes, and they
can also seize the drugs and arrest Joe for
possession of the drugs, even though Joe had
nothing to do with Fred and the police were
in Joe’s garage only because of the hot pursuit
of Fred!
Conclusion
What was the most shocking or interesting part of the
search examples?
th
4
Amendment Rights in School
DO NOW: Read the “Vernonia v. Acton
case summary and then answer questions
on the worksheet “It’s my Body” and hand
it in.
th
4
Amendment Rights in School
Read the “4th Amendment Rights in school”
article and answer the questions.
According to the article, school searches are
only justified according to the Supreme Court
"when there are reasonable grounds for
suspecting that the search will turn up
evidence that the student has violated or is
violating either the law or the rules of
school."
Locker search video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mLJpS3mEy8
Drug sniffing dogs video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg4if0UpGo8
Video:
http://www.kshb.com/dpp/news/education/rockhurs
t-high-school-drug-testing-policy-sends-ripplethrough-city
DNA evidence
Read the information about DNA evidence and
answer the opinion questions in the packet. Be
prepared to report out.
Watch the short clip from scenes from Gattaca:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZppWok6SX88