forensic science: fundamentals & investigations, chapter 1 1 x fall semester period 6/7 period...

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 11

x

Fall SemesterFall Semester

Period 6/7Period 6/7


The History of The History of Forensic ScienceForensic Science

Forensic Science is the application of a broad spectrum of sciences to answer questions of interest to a legal system.

Developed through use of science to convict criminals; ratherrather than depending on witness testimony.

Sherlock Holmes (fictional) was inspired by a forensic scientist & teacher of the author

CSI, The Mentalist, Criminal Minds, etc…

B.C. Times

Archimedes may have used his principle of buoyancy


The Types of The Types of Forensic ScienceForensic Science “Forensics” can be applied to any field of work In this class we are focusing on the departments that deal

with Hair Fibers /Textiles Fingerprints DNA Serology (blood) Biological (trace such as pollen or skin) Toxicology Document Impressions

All require excellent observation and

deductive reasoning


Chapter 1Chapter 1 Observation SkillsObservation Skills By the end of this section you will be By the end of this section you will be able to:able to:

Define observationobservation and describe what changes occur in the brain

Describe examples of factors influencing eyewitness accounts of events

Compare the reliability of eyewitness testimony with what actually happened


What we are doing What we are doing today…today…

Relate observation skills to their use in forensic science

Define forensic science Practice and improve your

observation skills


The forensic examiner must be able to

1. Find —identify the evidence

2. Document —record the evidence

3. Interpret —accurately determine the significance of the evidence

Notes


What Is Observation? What Is Observation?

How do we observe?


What Is Observation? What Is Observation?

Our brains can filter out information.

Point out some of the details in this photo.

Significant

Vs

Insignificant


What Is ? What Is ?

How information is How information is processed in the brainprocessed in the brain


What Is Observation?What Is Observation?

Our brains fill in gaps in our perceptionperception

(interpretation of sensory (interpretation of sensory information)information)

o In order to make sense of what we perceive, our brains often enrich with detail what we see, taste, hear, smell, or feel

o After an event, After an event, we can believe things we can believe things were part of the background even were part of the background even though they were notthough they were not


What Is Observation?What Is Observation?

Our brains apply previous knowledge to new situations

What assumptions can you make about this scene?

How might those assumptions be wrong?


Observations by Observations by Witnesses Witnesses

Observations are affected by: Observations are affected by:

o Their emotionalemotional states

o Whether they were alone, part of a group, or near others ((peerspeers))

o What type of and how much activity was going on around them (distraction)(distraction)

o Factual Vs OpinionFactual Vs Opinion


Fact Vs Opinion


Eyewitness Accounts Eyewitness Accounts

o Crime-scene reports often vary, due to:

• level of interest• stress• concentration• amount and kind of distractions present• prejudices• personal beliefs • motives• any lapse in time since the event

Examples??


STOP

o Who Dunnit Video


How to be a Good How to be a Good Observer Observer

1. Observe systematically

o Start at one part of a crime scene and run your eyes slowly over every space

o Look carefully at details of each piece of evidence

o Do not assume you will remember everything


How to be a Good How to be a Good ObserverObserver

2. Turn off filters o Consciously pay attention to all details o Do not pay attention to just what you think is

importanto All details are potentially important


How to be a Good Observer How to be a Good Observer

Collect Information first, interpret data later

o Look for patterns and make connectionso More information yields better interpretationso Prejudices exist everywhere—

• eyewitness accounts• your own thinking processes


How to be a Good Observer How to be a Good Observer

Documentation, Documentation,

Documentation

o Write down and photograph as much information as possible

o Be aware that memory is faultyo Remember that our brains tend to fill in gaps in our

perceptions


Observations in Forensics Observations in Forensics

o Study situationso Find clues in ordinary detailso Work backwards from the evidence to what

led up to the crimeo Be patiento Practice


The Innocence Project The Innocence Project

o Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. NeufeldBenjamin N. Cardozo School of Law,

o Beginning in 1992, used DNA to examine post-conviction cases

o Faulty eyewitness identifications accounted for up to 87% of the wrongful convictions


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary . . . .. . . .

o The environment and our natural sensory filters affect our ability to observe

o Eyewitness reports can be correct, faulty, or a little of both

o Acquiring good observation skills takes practice and training


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary

o Forensic scientists:• Find and Document Evidence• Evaluate and Interpret• Provide expert testimony to courts

forensic science: fundamentals & investigations, chapter 1 1 x fall semester period 6/7 period...

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