INTRODUCTION TO FORENSICS

What is Forensics?

Law Departments/Units

Penalties

Crimes

WHAT IS FORENSICS?

• Forensic science is the scientific method of gathering and examining information about the past. This is especially important in law enforcement where forensics is done in relation to criminal or civil law, but forensics are also carried out in other fields, such as astronomy, archaeology, biology and geology to investigate ancient times.

• Includes• C.S.I. – Crime Scene Investigation• Victim/Criminal ID• Court of Law Professionals –

Evidence submission• Local/State/Federal Law

Knowledge

LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENTS

• Police – hired by the city, jurisdiction within the city

• Sheriff – hired by the county, jurisdiction in whole county

• State Patrol – hired by the state, jurisdiction is whole state

• F.B.I – • Fenedral Bureau of Investigation• Jurisdiction is USA

• C.I.A. – • Central Intelligence Agency• Jurisdiction is the world

• NARC – Narcotics Divisions

• SWAT – Tactical teams for conflict

• HEAT – Units for checkpoints

• Air Marshall – Cops on Planes

• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Ammunition

PUNISHMENTS FOR CRIMES

• May include but is not limited to:• Community Service• Required Classes/Behavior

Inervention• Probation• House Arrest• Fines• Restitution• Jail• Prison• Death

• In all cases, punishment must fit the crime and can take into account previous infractions, severity of the crime, current pending litigation, and many other items as well

DEATH CRIMES

• Murder – Intentionally and willfully ending the life of another person• 1st Degree – Intent, willful, and

premeditated• Punishment is Death

• 2nd Degree – Intent and willful• No premeditation• Punishment is Life in Prison

• Homicide/Manslaughter

• Voluntary Manslaughter

“Heat of the Moment”

• Involuntary Manslaughter

Lack of intent to cause death

Punishment for both 5-10 years minimum

THEFT

• Larceny - In the United States, larceny is a common law crime involving theft. Under the common law, larceny is the trespassory taking (caption) and carrying away (asportation, removal) of the tangible personal property of another with the intent to deprive him or her of its possession permanently. In almost all states, it has become a statutory crime through codification.

• Petty Theft – Under $1000

• Grand Theft – Over $1000

• Value and Type of Material stolen will determine value

• Eminent Domain - the right of a government or its agent to expropriate private property for public use, with payment of compensation.

SEXUAL

• Harassment – verbal unwanted advances that have been ask to stop

• Abuse – Physical, Emotional

• Rape – 1 party does not consent• Statutory – 1 party under legal

consent age (GA is 16)

• Obscenity – verbal, symbols, innuendos, gestures that are unwanted

• Exhibitionism

• Sodomy – unlawful/immoral

• Necrophilia