Forensics Ch 1 Notes
- 1. Chapter 1: Introduction to Forensic Science and the Law
- 2. Forensic Science The study and application of science to matters of law Includes the business of providing timely, accurate, and thorough information to all levels of decision makers in our criminal justice system The word forensic comes from the Latin forensis meaning forum – where Roman senators and others debated, performed, and held judicial proceedings. Toga! Toga! Toga!
- 3. Criminalistics or Criminology Criminalistics The scientific examination of physical evidence for legal purposes Criminology Includes the psychological angle: studying the crime scene for motive, traits, and behavior that will help to interpret the evidence
- 4. Basic Services Provided by the Crime Lab Physical science unit Chemistry, Physics, Geology Biology unit Firearms and ballistics unit Document examination unit Photography unit The most common types of evidence examined are drugs, firearms, and fingerprints .
- 5. Other Services of a Crime Lab Crime labs can be government-run at the federal, state, or local level or private consulting businesses. Toxicology unit Latent fingerprint unit Polygraph unit Voiceprint analysis unit Evidence collection unit Engineering
- 6. Specialty Services Forensic pathology Forensic anthropology Forensic entomology Forensic psychiatry Forensic odontology Forensic engineering Cybertechnology
- 7. Federal Crime Labs FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation DEA: Drug Enforcement Agency ATF: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms USPS: United States Postal Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Department of Homeland Security Department of the Treasury
- 8. Most Important Principle! Edmond Locard (1877–1966) French professor Considered the father of criminalistics Built the world’s first forensic laboratory in France in 1910 Locard Exchange Principle: Whenever two objects come into contact with each other, there is always a transfer of material.
- 9. The Crime Scene Team Team members: First police officer on the scene Medics (if necessary) Investigators Medical examiner or representative (if necessary) Photographer and/or field evidence technician Lab experts: pathologist serologist DNA expert toxicologist forensic odontologist forensic anthropologist forensic psychologist forensic entomologist firearm examiner bomb and arson experts document and handwriting experts fingerprint expert A group of professional investigators, each trained in a variety of special disciplines
- 10. Scientific Method (as it pertains to criminalistics) Observe a problem or questioned evidence and collect objective data. Consider a hypothesis or possible solution. Examine, test, and then analyze the evidence. Determine the significance of the evidence. Formulate a theory based on evaluation of the significance of the evidence.
- 11. Types of Law Constitutional law Statutory law Common law or case law Civil law Criminal law Equity law Administrative law
- 12. The Bill of Rights You are guaranteed: To be presumed innocent until proven guilty Not to be searched unreasonably Not to be arrested without probable cause Against unreasonable seizure of personal property Against self-incrimination To fair questioning by police To protection from physical harm throughout the justice process To an attorney To trial by jury To know any charges against oneself
- 13. More Bill of Rights To cross-examine prosecution witnesses To speak and present witnesses Not to be tried again for the same crime Against cruel and unusual punishment To due process To a speedy trial Against excessive bail Against excessive fines To be treated the same as others, regardless of race, gender, religious preference, country of origin, or other personal attributes
- 14. Types of Crimes Infraction: minor offense or petty crime; penalty is usually a fine Misdemeanor: minor crime punishable by fine or jail In NJ called a disorderly persons offense Jail is county and less than 1 year Felony: major crime punishable by fines and/or more than one year in prison In NJ called a criminal offense Prison is state or federal and over 1 year
- 15. Steps in Pursuing Justice Crime committed discovered suspect identified police investigate info collected documented, searched, analyzed reports filed investigation arrest warrant if elements are present Elements if a crime actually occurred if the accused intended for the crime to happen if there is a relationship between A and B
- 16. After the Arrest Booking Mug shot, fingerprints, basic data Miranda rights Usually given when arrested, but often given again Arraignment defendant brought before court to hear charges and enter a plea Judge sets bail, orders remand or releases ROR Oh Bill Gates…
- 17. Miranda Rights The following is a minimal Miranda warning: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at the government’s expense.
- 18. Felony Crimes (the big stuff) Preliminary/evidentiary hearing or grand jury Indict (called a “bill”) dismiss case (called a “no bill”) reduce charges – insufficient evidence set a date for trial Charges must be filed before a trial can start (charges are usually filed before an arrest) Murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, robbery, burglary, drug offenses, etc.
- 19. Plea Bargains 90% of cases Defendant and prosecution work out a deal Usually a reduced plea or lesser sentence Example: murder charge reduced to manslaughter Only 50% of all people arrested are eventually convicted Only 25% are sentenced to a year or more in prison
- 20. Federal Rules of Evidence In order for scientific evidence to be admitted in a court of law, it must be considered relevant evidence which includes: Probative: actually proves something Material: addresses an issue that is relevant to the particular crime
- 21. Admissibility of Evidence The Frye Standard From the 1923 case Frye v. United States Scientific evidence is allowed into the courtroom if it is generally accepted by the relevant scientific community. The Frye standard does not offer any guidance on reliability. The evidence is presented in the trial and the jury decides if it can be used.
- 22. Admissibility of Evidence The Daubert Ruling From the 1993 case Daubert v. Dow The judge decides if the evidence can be entered into the trial. Admissibility is determined by: Whether the theory or technique can be tested Whether the science has been offered for peer review Whether the rate of error is acceptable Whether the method at issue enjoys widespread acceptance Whether the theory or technique follows standards
- 23. The Expert Witness He/She will: Establish credibility through credentials, background experience. Evaluate evidence. Render an opinion about the evidence. The judge may accept or reject the opinion’s significance. The expert witness presents scientific evidence in court.
- 24. Facets of Guilt To prove a case, the “MMO” must be established; it must be shown that the suspect had: Motive —person had a reason to do the crime (not necessary to prove in a court of law) Means —person had the ability to do the crime Opportunity —person can be placed at the crime scene