Welcome to Forensics Mr. Rizzo What is forensics Science? Use of the scientific method in the legal...
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Transcript of Welcome to Forensics Mr. Rizzo What is forensics Science? Use of the scientific method in the legal...
Welcome to Welcome to ForensicsForensics
Mr. RizzoMr. Rizzo
What is forensics Science?
Use of the scientific method in the legal arena.
The transfer of scientific techniques to aid the legal process.
The use of science and technology to provide evidence.
When is forensics Science used?
? To solve any problem whether criminal or
historical in nature.
What is Evidence?
Must be relevant to the case at hand.
Must be more probative than prejudicial on the issue.
Probative evidence: tending to prove a particular proposition or to persuade you of the truth of an allegation
Forensic Evidence? IT IS NOT CSI…. Is used to establish whether a particular
person or thing COULD be at a particular place at a specific time.
Hieronymus BoschHieronymus Bosch 1450-15161450-1516
an eccentric Dutch an eccentric Dutch painter of religious painter of religious visions who dealt in visions who dealt in particular with the particular with the torments of hell. torments of hell.
St. John on Patmos, approx. 1485
Make three observations:
St. Christopher Carrying the Christ Child through a Sinful World,
Bosch, c1520
Temptation of
St Anthony
Temptation of
St Anthony(Detail)
Hieronymus Bosch Madman or Medical Analyst
• So we dig deeper and find that amputated limbs were saved during Bosch's time so they might be rejoined to their owners at the last judgment.
• Amputation is a gangrenous prevention
• The odd vegetable creature is painted in the shape of a mandrake root. Mandrake was the herb used to stanch the feverish pains of St. Anthony's Fire.
• The distillery used to reduce medicinal herbs.
As a Forensic Scientist what are some questions you would ask?
• Does he have any diagnosis medical or psychological conditions?
• Apocalyptic personality?
• What was also happening at that time?
Historians Know:
What can be going on at that time? • St. Anthony's Fire was rampant.
• fiery pain, hallucinations, disorientation, muscle cramps, convulsions, miscarriages, *gangrene
• Today we know that St. Anthony's Fire was caused by a form of Rye/grain fungus called ergot.
St. Anthony’s Fire: Ergot
*Ergot of rye is produced by a lower fungus (Claviceps purpurea) that grows parasitically on rye, other grains and wild grasses.
Structural Analysis
ergotamine Lysergic Acid
O OH
Serotonin Blocker?
Serotonin (on the left) and Lysergic Acid ( on the right)
*Serotonin is known to control mood, emotion, sleep and appetite
Structural Analysis
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
O OH
Lysergic Acid (LSD)
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide(LSD)
LSD is one of the most powerful known hallucinogenic drugs.
It was invented in 1938, derived from mushrooms.
SO WHO CARES?
Hieronymus Bosch Madman or Medical Analyst
• Bosch's Paintings actually documented beliefs and medical procedures used to assist with St. Anthony’s Fire.
• Amputation is a gangrenous prevention• odd vegetable creatures= mandrake root• The distillery used to reduce medicinal herbs.
Ergot in history
Furthermore, since ergot baked in bread dough forms LSD, the disease also led to terrifying hallucinations
Indeed there is the belief that the Salem witch-hangings that went on in Salem, Massachusetts (1692) occurred during an outbreak of rye ergot.
Salem Witch trials(June -September of 1692)
19 men and women were convicted of witchcraft and hung
100s of others faced accusations of witchcraft.
Dozens languished in jails. 1 man was pressed to death under heavy
stones
Salem witch trials (1692)According to historian Mary Matossian in her book
Poisons of the Past, she noted symptoms of the people to be sensations of:– Prickling or ants crawling on the skin– Distortions of the face– Paralysis– Hallucinations– Convulsive violent seizures– Dementia
All these symptoms were consistent with those suffering from ergotism.
9/4 Do Now:
Please get out and be ready to submit:– Your Contract– Student Information
Identify at least six specific forensic units used to examine Senator Daschle’s letter.
Senator Daschle
What is forensics Science?
Use of the scientific method in the legal arena.
The transfer of scientific techniques to aid the legal process.
The use of science and technology to provide evidence.
Evidence?
Must be relevant to the case at hand
Must be more probative than prejudicial on the issue
Probative evidence: tending to prove a particular proposition or to persuade you of the truth of an allegation
Forensic Evidence?
Is used to establish whether a particular person or thing COULD be at a particular place at a specific time.
Forensics incorporates the use of many sciences:
Biology• Physiology, Odontology, Pathology
Chemistry• Spectrophotometry, Thin layer Chromatography
Physics• Friction, Ballistics, trajectory and motion
Geology• Archeology, Mineralogy
Forensics
from L. forensis "of a forum, place of assembly," from forum.
Used in sense of "pertaining to legal trials," as in forensic medicine (1845).
I. Introduction What is forensics Science?
Use of the scientific method in the legal arena.
The transfer of scientific techniques to aid the legal process.
The use of science and technology to provide evidence.
II. History and Development Major Scientists:
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
(1859-1893) influences?
Sherlock Holmes 1887:
*Used fingerprinting, firearms identification, serology,
*Used a scientific method of detection
Timeframe:Timeframe: 10 minutes 10 minutes
Affiliations from Court TVAffiliations from Court TV
http://www.courttv.com/forensics/http://www.courttv.com/forensics/affilations.htmlaffilations.html
II. History and DevelopmentII. History and Development Major Scientists:
Mathieu Orfila: 1814 father of forensic toxicology.
Alphonse Bertillon: 1879 father of Criminal Identification -developed Anthropometry: a series of body measurements as a means of distinguishing one individual from another.
-Used for two decades and was later replaced by fingerprinting.
Forensic Timeline
II. History and DevelopmentII. History and Development
Francis Galton: 1892 the first finger printer– Undertook the study, classification and filing of
fingerprints.
DR Karl Landsteiner: 1901 (4) blood types
Leone Lattes: 1915 developed a method of determining a blood type form a dried sample.
II. HistoryII. History
Calvin Goddard: analyzed
Firearms and refined bullet
Identification by using a
Comparison microscope.
II. History and DevelopmentII. History and Development
Albert Osborn: 1910 developed the reference text for document examiners.
Walter C. McCrone: applied analytical problem solving techniques in solving forensic science cases by using microscopy. – Highly sought after and leading instructor that
educated thousands in application microscopy.
II. History and DevelopmentII. History and Development
1893 Hans Gross: wrote one of the first comprehensive forensics texts applying the uses of many scientific disciplines.
II. HistoryII. History Edmond Locard: Edmond Locard:
– 1910: one of the first site based forensic labs.
– Founder of Institue of Crimminalistsics at the universiy of Lyons
Developed Locard’s Exchange PrincipleDeveloped Locard’s Exchange Principle
What is Locards’s Exchange Principle? What is Locards’s Exchange Principle?
II. HistoryII. History Locard’s Exchange Principle:Locard’s Exchange Principle:
The exchange of materials between two objects that occurs whenever two objects come into contact with one another.
II. HistoryII. History Locard’s Exchange Principle:Locard’s Exchange Principle:The exchange of materials between two
objects that occurs whenever two objects come into contact with one another.First major case: Counterfeit coins
Analyzed metallic particles found in clothing, same as the counterfeit coins
FBI lab
1932, the FBI under J. Edger Hoover1932, the FBI under J. Edger Hoover organized a national laboratory that aimed to offer forensic services to all law enforcement agencies in the country. *at no expense*
FBI lab
One of the largest and most comprehensive forensic laboratories in the world.
Formed the FBI’s Forensics Science research and Training Center in 1981
FBI lab
Laboratory examiners provide expert witness testimony:
In cases regarding the results of forensic examination
Special Agent and support personnel assist domestic and international law enforcement agencies in large-scale investigations and disasters
III. Organization of a Crime III. Organization of a Crime LaboratoryLaboratory
Why are their so many new lab?Why are their so many new lab?
Increase in Drug analysis and DNA profiling:
Bloodstains, semen stains, hair and saliva residue, bite marks,
III. Organization of a Crime III. Organization of a Crime LaboratoryLaboratory
Rapid growth yet lack of national and Rapid growth yet lack of national and regional planning? regional planning?
320 Public crime labs 320 Public crime labs Federal, state, county, municipalFederal, state, county, municipal
Most placed under police dep.Most placed under police dep.Prosecutors/district attorneyProsecutors/district attorneyMedical examiner or coronerMedical examiner or coroner
III. Organization of a Crime III. Organization of a Crime LaboratoryLaboratory
NO single law enforcement or NO single law enforcement or investigative agency with unlimited investigative agency with unlimited jurisdiction so four major labs were jurisdiction so four major labs were set up:set up: FBIFBI Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and
ExplosivesExplosives US Postal Inspection ServiceUS Postal Inspection Service
Senator Daschle
New York Post
Identify at least six specific forensic units used to examine Senator Daschle’s letter.
III. OrganizationIII. Organization Some states have developed a Some states have developed a
comprehensive STATEWIDE system of comprehensive STATEWIDE system of regional/satellites laboratories.regional/satellites laboratories. Alabama, CaliforniaIllinois MichiganNew Jersey Texas Washington Oregon Virginia Florida Many of the larger cities also have their
own crime labs. New York
IV. Services of the Crime Lab IV. Services of the Crime Lab
Basic services
Basic Full service– 1 Physical Science Unit– 2– 3– 4– 5
Optional Services – 1– 2– 3– 4– 5
Please identify the the various Services Please identify the the various Services provided by Crime Labsprovided by Crime Labs
Basic Full service1. Physical Science Unit
2. Biology Unit
3. Firearms Unit
4. Document Examination Unit
5. Photography Unit
Optional Services 1. Toxicology Unit
2. Latent Fingerprint Unit
3. Polygraph Unit
4. Voiceprint Analysis Unit
5. Evidence-Collection Unit
IV. Services of the Crime Lab IV. Services of the Crime Lab
Basic Services: Physical Science Unit
Uses chemistry, physics and geology for:– Drug identification– Soil and mineral Identification– Examination of physical evidence
Basic Services: Basic Services: Biology UnitBiology Unit
Biologists and Biochemists are used for:Biologists and Biochemists are used for:– DNA identification and profiling of dried DNA identification and profiling of dried
blood and other body fluidsblood and other body fluids– The comparison of hairs and fibersThe comparison of hairs and fibers
– The comparison of The comparison of BotanicalsBotanicals
Basic Services: Firearms UnitExamination of:
– Firearms and their discharged bullets– cartridge cases and shotgun shells
Garments and objects examined to determine type of gun and position of shooter.
And the comparison of marks made by tools
Firearms Unit Close Contact Gunshot Wound
- .380 ACP close range wound with powder burns.
Close Contact Gunshot Wound - muzzle flash injury from a M14 fitted with a flash suppressor
Firearms Unitposition of the shooter!! Historical case
Basic Services: Document Examination Unit
Ascertain documents authenticity Analysis of: handwriting and
typewriting– ink and paper– Visible depressions – Obliterations– Erasures– Burned and charred documents
Basic Services: Photography Unit A complete photographic laboratory is
maintained to examine and record physical evidence. – May use: digital imaging, infrared, Ultraviolet
and x-ray photography techniques
Aids in court case photographic exhibits for court presentations
Optional Services: Toxicology Unit Studies bodily fluids and organs to
determine presence or absence of drugs and poisons.– Blood -alcohol
In your notes, Briefly discuss how and why a “Psychic Detective”– Could be justified,– Should be excluded as an expert witness
in a court of law
COURT TV
Optional Services:Latent Fingerprint Unit Processing and examining evidence for
*latent fingerprints.– Prints made by the deposit of oils
and/perspiration/ It is invisible to the naked eye.
Optional Services: Polygraph Unit AKA lie detector :an instrument that
simultaneously records changes in physiological processes such as heartbeat, blood pressure, and respiration.
The underlying theory of the polygraph is that when people lie they also get measurably nervous about lying. The heartbeat increases, blood pressure goes up, breathing rhythms change, perspiration increases, etc.
Optional Services: Voice Print Analysis Unit Use sound *spectrograph to identify voices
– Telephoned threats– Taped recorded messages – Even basic identity
• *transforms speech into a visual graphic display, called a voiceprint.
Voice SCREAM Analysis Unit????
Optional Services: Evidence-collection Unit Collects and preserves physical evidence that
will later be processed at the crime lab. Many officers also being train in the proper
collection of evidence.
Other Forensic Services:Forensic Pathology
Investigation of sudden, violent or unexplained deaths
Usually preformed by a coroner Questions sought to answer:
– Who is the victim– What injuries are present– When did the injuries occur– Why and how were the injuries produced
Forensic Pathology
*A trajectory analysis of JFK's inshoot/outshoot head wounds,
*Shows an inconsistency with the HSCA trajectory conclusions.
Forensic PathologyAutopsy performed to establish cause of death.
Classifications of Death*Natural*Homicide*Suicide*Accident*Undetermined
HW: Research and Identify How investigators estimate time of death..
Forensic Pathology9 Ways of Estimating 9 Ways of Estimating ActualActual Time of Death: Time of Death:
http://www.dundee.ac.uk/forensicmedicine/llb/timedeath.htm#Time%20of%20Death
1. Rigor mortis2. Livor mortis: (Lividity) 3. Algor mortis: Body Core Temperature4. Potassium levels in vitreous humor + Clouding
of the cornea5. Stomach Contents6. Evidence of Decompositional Process7. Presence/absence of purge fluids8. Drying of the tissue 9. Larval Instars
Forensic PathologyEstimating Time of DeathEstimating Time of Death
1. Rigor mortisRigor mortis: (L: rig- stiff; mortis—death) * Muscles become rigid
** W/I 24 hours but gone after 36 hours
“The biochemical cause of rigor mortis is hydrolysis of ATP in the muscle tissue, the chemical energy source required for movement. Myosin molecules devoid of ATP become permanently adherent to actin filaments and muscles become rigid.”
•With the aid of an electron microscope it can be seen that each muscle fiber is made up of many smaller units, the myofibrils. Each myofibril consists of small protein filaments, known as actin and myosin filaments. The myosin filaments are slightly thicker and make up the dark band (or A-band). The actin filaments make up the light bands (I-bands) which are situated on either side of the dark band. The actin filaments are attached to the Z-line. This arrangement of actin and myosin filaments is known as a sacromere.
•With the aid of an electron microscope it can be seen that each muscle fibre is made up of many smaller units, the myofibrils. Each myofibril consists of small protein filaments, known as actin and myosin filaments. The myosin filaments are slightly thicker and make up the dark band (or A-band). The actin filaments make up the light bands (I-bands) which are situated on either side of the dark band. The actin filaments are attached to the Z-line. This arrangement of actin and myosin filaments is known as a sacromere.
or or (postmortem lividity)) : (L: liv-bluish)
* Is a settling of the blood in the lower portion of the body
** Causing a purplish red discoloration of the skin.
*** Discoloration does not occur in the areas of the body that are in contact with the ground or another object,
2. Livor mortis
* the reduction in body temperature following death. ** a steady decline until matching ambient temperature *** A measured rectal temperature can give some
indication of the time of death.
• The Glaister equation: 1-1 1/2 degree F per hour
• Algor mortis is usually the first sign of death, beyond the obvious, and is then followed by rigor mortis. As decomposition occurs the internal body temperature tends to rise again.
• Newton's law of cooling states that the rate of cooling of a Newton's law of cooling states that the rate of cooling of a body is determined by the difference between the body is determined by the difference between the temperature of the body and that of its environment. temperature of the body and that of its environment.
3. Algor mortisAlgor mortis (L: algor—coolness; ath)
4. Potassium levels in vitreous humor (ocular fluid) – after death, cells lining the inner surface of the eye release potassium into the ocular fluid, by testing at regular intervals, the forensic pathologist can determine the rate of potassium release and use that to approximate the time of death.
5. Amount of food found in the victim's stomach can be used to determine when the last meal was consumed and rates of digestion are known and are used to help estimate time of death.
What is an Expert witness?
An individual whom the court determines possesses knowledge relevant to the trial that is not expected of the average layperson
What MAKES an Expert witness?
Competency may be established: – Educational degrees– Formal training/ specific course work– Memberships– publications
Court Cases involving use of forensics in Judicial proceedings.
Frey v. United States Rule 702Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical, incKumho Tire Co v. Carmichael.
Frey v. United States, (D.C. Cir. 1923)
Depends on general acceptance by a “meaningful segment” of the scientific community
Decision of admission of PROCEDURES, TECHNIQUES AND PRINCIPLES.
In practice , this approach required the proponent of a scientific test to present to the court a collection of experts who can testify that the procedure IS accepted by the relevant members of the “community”.
Frey v. United States
IS He accepted by the relevant members of the “community”.
So the standard is only as useful as the validity of the community.
Rule 702, (1937)
Rule 702 provides: The facts or data in the particular case upon which an expert bases an opinion or inference may be those perceived by or made known to the expert at or before the hearing. If of a type reasonably relied upon by experts in the particular field in forming opinion or inferences upon the subject, the facts or data need not be admissible in evidence in order for the opinion or inference to be admitted.
Rule 702
A more flexible standard that did not rely on General Acceptance
Technical and specialized knowledge will assist the fact to understand evidence.
Witness qualified by knowledge, skill, experience, training/education is– 1. testimony is based on fact– 2.testimony is the product of reliable principles+
methods– 3.the witness applied the principles + methods reliably
to the facts of the case.
Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical, inc
Frye standard not absolute!! Trial judges assume the must assume the ultimate
responsibility as the: Gatekeeper!!!!
Has it attracted widespread acceptance Principles must be1. Tested2. Peer reviewed3. Low Percent error4. Have a set techniques, maintenance and standard
controls5. Be Accepted within a relevant scientific community.
Kumko Tire v. Carmichael
Good for scientific testimony and to all expert testimony.
Supported Daubert decision of admission of
Procedures, techniques and principles, BUT also extended gatekeeper responsibilities as to the admissibility of EXPERT TESTOMONY.
“Technical and other specialized knowledge”
Finis!