Updated Sept. 2005 Created by C. IppolitoSeptember, 2005

Forensic ScienceForensic ScienceChapter 1: Introduction

Pages 1-32

Updated Sept. 2005 Created by C. IppolitoSeptember, 2005

Forensic ScienceForensic Science

• The application of science to the criminal and civil laws enforced by police agencies in the criminal justice system– Principles and practices of the physical and

natural sciences as they are used to study crime scene evidence

Updated Sept. 2005 Created by C. IppolitoSeptember, 2005

Basic Crime Lab UnitsBasic Crime Lab Units• Physical Science UnitPhysical Science Unit

– chemistry, physics, earth science• Tests drugs, glass, paint, explosives, soils

• Biology UnitBiology Unit– biology, biochemistry

• DNA profiling, blood, hair, fiber, plant materials

• Firearms UnitFirearms Unit– chemistry, physics

• Firearms, discharged bullets and ammo, discharge residues

• Document ExaminationDocument Examination– chemistry, psychometrics

• handwriting analysis, paper, ink

• Photography UnitPhotography Unit– physics, chemistry

• digital imaging, infrared, x-ray, ultraviolet photography

Updated Sept. 2005 Created by C. IppolitoSeptember, 2005

Optional Crime Lab UnitsOptional Crime Lab Units• Toxicology UnitToxicology Unit

– chemistry, biology• test fluids/organs for drugs, poison• usually in Medical Examiner’s Office

• Latent Fingerprint UnitLatent Fingerprint Unit– chemistry

• Polygraph UnitPolygraph Unit– physics, biology

• usually used during interrogation

• Voiceprint AnalysisVoiceprint Analysis– physics

• use of sound spectrograph

• Evidence-Collection UnitEvidence-Collection Unit– personnel specially trained to collect and preserve crime scene

evidence

Updated Sept. 2005 Created by C. IppolitoSeptember, 2005

Other Forensic Sciences Other Forensic Sciences

• Forensic Pathology

• Forensic Anthropology

• Forensic Entomology

• Forensic Psychiatry

• Forensic Odontology

• Forensic Engineering

Updated Sept. 2005 Created by C. IppolitoSeptember, 2005

Forensic PathologyForensic Pathology

• investigate sudden, unnatural, unexplained, or violent deaths– forensic pathologists are MD’s that work as

coroners or medical examiners– autopsy – detailed examination to determine

the cause of death• Autopsy Room • Virtual autopsy

Updated Sept. 2005 Created by C. IppolitoSeptember, 2005

Signs of DeathSigns of Death• rigor mortisrigor mortis – muscle

rigidity with out shortening (24-36 hours after death)

• livor mortislivor mortis – blood settles in tissues turning them dark blue/purple (ends 12 hours after death)

• algor mortisalgor mortis – body temperature = ambient temperature– -1°F to -1.5°F per hour

Updated Sept. 2005 Created by C. IppolitoSeptember, 2005

Forensic AnthropologyForensic Anthropology

• identification and examination of human skeletal remains– may reveal:

• approximate age• race• sex• origin

Updated Sept. 2005 Created by C. IppolitoSeptember, 2005

Forensic EntomologyForensic Entomology

• study of insects and their relationship to a crime scene– insects infest

human to lay eggs– larvae hatch and

feed on tissues– used to

approximate time of exposure

Updated Sept. 2005 Created by C. IppolitoSeptember, 2005

Forensic PsychiatryForensic Psychiatry

• psychiatric specialty– determine competency to stand trial– evaluate behavior disorders– examine behavior patterns to build criminal

behavioral profile

Updated Sept. 2005 Created by C. IppolitoSeptember, 2005

Forensic OdontologyForensic Odontology

• identification of unidentifiable remains using dental records– characteristics of teeth– tooth alignment– mouth structure– bite mark analysis (Marv Alpert)

Updated Sept. 2005 Created by C. IppolitoSeptember, 2005

Forensic EngineeringForensic Engineering

• concerned with failure analysis, accident reconstruction, causes and origins of fires and explosions