• Edmond Locard (1877-1966) •It was Locard’s belief that when a criminal came in contact with an object or person, a cross-transfer of evidence occurred

•Think about what you leave behind after sitting in class for an hour, at a restaurant, or in a hotel room

LocardLocard’’s Exchange Principles Exchange Principle

A systematic procedure of taking a series of body measurements as a means of distinguishing one individual from another

Measurement Lab

Sir Alec Jeffrey developed the first DNA profiling test in 1984

Revolutionized the practice of forensic science

Two years after developing test, DNA was used in court rooms to establish guilt or innocence of a suspect INNOCENCE PROJECT

• CODIS (Combined DNA Index System)

• All offenders are sampled and entered into system

• Currently CA has the 3rd largest DNA system of profiles worldwide with approximately one million entries (Behind the UK and the FBI)

Formed the basis of modern fingerprinting. The system relies on the pattern of ridges on the fingertips. These patterns are described as loops, central pocket loops, double loops, arches, tented arches, whorls, and accidentals

http://forensicfact.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/fingerprint.jpg

Discovered a procedure for determining blood type from a dried blood stain

•Forensics is the application of science to criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies.

•The first system of personal identification - anthropometry

•Forensic science owes its origins to individuals sucha s Bertillon, Lattes, Galton, Jeffry and Locard.

•Locard’s principle is the underlying theme behind forensic science.

•In 1932, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under J. Edgar Hoover, organized a national laboratory that aimed to offer forensic services to all law enforcement agencies in the country

•The FBI Laboratory is now the world’s largest forensic laboratory

LAPD

•The oldest forensic laboratory in the United States is the Los Angeles Police Department.

1. The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)largest crime lab in the worldUltramodern facility in Quantico, VA

2. DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency)Analyzes drug seized in violation of federal lawsRegulates the production, sale, and transportation of

drugs3. ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and

Explosives)Analyzes alcoholic beverages, examines weapons,

explosive devices, and documentation related to any of the above

4. U.S. Postal Inspection ServicesMaintains labs concerned with criminal investigations

relating to the postal service

•Latent Fingerprint – processes and examines fingerprints.•Polygraph- interrogation/lie detector•Forensic computer – identifying, collecting, preserving, and examining info from computers•CSI – preserves physical evidence found at a crime scene that will be later processed at the crime lab

Scientific EvidenceScientific Evidence

Two cases set the guidelines for

determining the admissibility of

scientific evidence

Frye v. United States

Daubert v Merrell Dow

Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

In 1923, the court rules that in order to be

admitted as evidence, the questioned

procedure, technique, or principles must be

“generally accepted” by the scientific

community

Daubert v. Merrel Dow Pharm. Daubert v. Merrel Dow Pharm.

Types of EvidenceTypes of Evidence

Circumstantial EvidenceCircumstantial Evidence

Example: if fingerprints or hairs found at a

scene are consistent with that of a

perpetrator, jurors may infer that the print /

hair belong to the defendant

This type of evidence is not definitive proof

Evidence identified forensically is usually

circumstantial

Direct EvidenceDirect Evidence

Example: Statements or confessions made by the

witnesses

Supports the truth of an assertion, without an

intervening inference.•Physical evidence of the crime, Documentary evidence, such as surveillance tapes, audio, or another reliable source.

EvidenceEvidence

People have tendencies to forget or to lie

Circumstantial evidence is objective while direct

evidence is subjectiveobjective - completely unbiased

subjective - from the perspective of observer (biased)

It is found that eyewitness accounts are

inaccurate half the time when saliva and blood

are accurate 99% of the time

expert witness - who by virtue of education, training, skill, or experience, is believed to have expertise and specialized knowledge in a subject beyond that of the average person. Provides expert opinion.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:The expert must express his opinion on the matter.

In court he/she may be asked questions intended to demonstrate ability and competence about the subject matter

The expert cannot render any view with absolute certainty and must base opinion on reasonable scientific certainty

The expert must be an advocate of truth, not sides

experts can testify in any case in which their expertise is relevant, criminal cases are more likely to use forensic scientists or forensic psychologists,

whereas civil cases, such as personal injury, may use forensic engineers, forensic accountants, employment consultants or care experts.

expertwitnessesservices