Unit 1
– Introduction
to Medical Forensics
Students will explore the fundamental aspects of Medical Forensics.
Lecture Notes
01.01 Define the scope of medical forensics.
A. Definitions, descriptions & categories
a. Definition of forensic science: the study of applying science to legal questions
b. Definition of Medical Forensics: the application of medical science to legal
questions
c. Descriptions of areas studied within medical forensics
i. At least 36 specialties and sub disciplines
ii. Areas covered within this class: fingerprints, hair & fiber analysis, serology,
mortality, pathology, psychology, anthropology, odontology, toxicology,
DNA, crime scene analysis & evidence collection.
01.02 Detail the history and development of medical forensics.
A. Scientific Societies which contributed to the development of medical forensics
a. 1642 – University of Leipzip offered a course in forensic medicine for doctors
b. Early 1800’s – Paris, Eugene Francois Vidoeq (an ex-con), formed the “Surete,” the
first detective force
i. Invented some forensic techniques: matching bullets to guns, handwriting
analysis & undercover investigations
c. During the 1800’s toxicology made dramatic progress
d. Mid-1800’s a crystal test was developed to test for hemoglobin (Ludwig Teichmann)
e. 1859 – field of spectroscopy was started (Gustov Kirchoff & Robert Blinsen). This
led to mass spectrometry much later which is used for trace evidence.
f. 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.
g. 1880 – Henry Faulds (Scotland)used fingerprints to eliminate a suspect and convict
the correct one. In 1892 in Argentina, the first court case with fingerprints as
evidence occurred. Sir Edward Henry developed the fingerprint classification
system.
h. 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 1902-190).
i. 1916 – Berkeley, CA – school to educate investigators (August Vollmer), precoursor
to the polygraph, Edward O. Heinrich – pioneer in many areas
j. 1930’s-1937- luminal was invented by Walter Specht, arson research
k. After WWII, the area saw very rapid growth, the development of computers, the
discovery and use of DNA, better technology continually enhances the ability to
detect evidence, etc.
l. 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).
01.03 Discuss the organization of the crime laboratory and detail the functions it serves.
A. 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.
a. 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.
b. 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.
c. 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.
B. The Utah Bureau of Forensic Services performs the following services for all police agencies
in Utah.
a. Forensic Biology: Serology, DNA, CODIS
b. Forensic Chemistry: Controlled Substances, Fire Debris, Paint
c. Impressions: Footwear, Tire, Latent Print Processing, Latent Print Comparison, AFIS
and Latent Print Processing and Latent Print Comparison
d. Firearms/Tool marks: Physical Matches
e. Video Enhancement
f. They are currently in the process of preparing for accreditation in the following
areas: Crime Scene and Fibers
C. In Utah, localized Crime Scene Units, like the Weber Metro CSI, are able to perform some of
their own forensic testing, such as latent fingerprinting and chemical testing, both in a
laboratory setting as well as in a mobile lab. They may also utilize the State lab for all
services, such as DNA fingerprinting.
01.04 Describe the importance of physical evidence.
A. Importance of Physical Evidence
a. Value in investigating a crime
i. Eye witnesses can be unreliable. Their story needs to be corroborated with
the evidence. There isn’t always an eye witness to a crime.
ii. 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.
iii. Physical evidence has become virtually required in order to convict.
01.05 Compare and contrast individual and class evidence.
A. Individual & Class evidence
a. Define individual evidence:
i. Individual evidence is physical evidence which can be traced or linked back
to one individual or event where only 1 person could have been present
during the crime. Examples include DNA, blood spatter, wear patterns on
shoes or tires, fingerprints, etc.
b. Define Class Evidence:
i. Class evidence is physical evidence which could belong to more than one
person but still narrows the field of suspects. Examples include brand and
style of shoes, type of tires, etc.