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Forensic Science: The study and application of science to matters of the law
Physical Evidence: An object or substance that is used to prove elements of a
crime
Testimonial Evidence: A verbal account of events or details of a crime given by a
witness and/or expert
Circumstantial Evidence: Evidence that is collected (either physical or testimonial)
that is used INDIRECTLY to prove elements of a crime. This type of evidence DOES
NOT PROVE GUILT!
Expert Witness: A person who is specially trained and certified in an area that
allows him or her to testify in court (i.e. Medical Examiner, Blood Spatter Expert)
The Frye Standard: Expert opinion based on a scientific technique is admissible
only where the technique is generally accepted as reliable in the relevant scientific
community (The General Acceptance Rule)
The Daubert Standard: Scientific technique admissible in court if it is:
o Testable
o Peer-Reviewed
o Rate of Error must be given (exception to rule #3: fingerprints)
Miranda Rights: Rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States
of America. An individual MUST be read his or her rights prior to being arrested.
o Right to remain silent
o Anything you say can and will be used against you
o Right to an attorney
o If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you
o If you answer questions without an attorney, you have the right to stop
Probable Cause: The standard by which an officer has the grounds to obtain a
warrant to search and/or arrest an individual
Individual Characteristics: Features or details that link a piece of evidence to one
single source (i.e. DNA, Fingerprints, Serial Numbers)
Class Characteristics: Features or details that link a piece of evidence to a group
of sources (i.e. Tire Tracks, Shoe Prints)
Crime Scene Reconstruction: To recreate the crime scene in order to determine the
chain of events that led up to a crime
Motive: The reason a crime was committed
Means: The weapon, tool, or strength used to commit the crime
Opportunity: The window of time during which the crime was committed
Chain-of-Custody: A written record of all people who have had possession of an
item of evidence (to ensure its validity and avoid contamination)
Control Sample: A known evidentiary sample that is collected in order to
compare unknown evidence samples collected from the crime scene, victim,
and/or suspect. (i.e. A suspects fingerprints are collected as a control sample to
compare it to the fingerprints found on a knife near the victim)
Crime scene protocols:
First Responder Responsibilities:
o Secure/Isolate the scene
o Safety of victims
o Witnesses/statements
o Safety precautions
Crime Scene Investigator Responsibilities:
o Documentation: pictures, sketches, notes
o Search Method
o Collection/Packaging of evidence
o Deliver evidence to the lab (chain-of-custody)
Order of protocol:
Secure and isolate the crime scene
Help anyone who is injured
Process the crime scene
Documentation
o Photographs
As many as possible!!
Overall views, Medium views, Close-up views
o Sketches
Floor plan (Birds Eye View)
Triangulation Measurements (for Reconstruction purposes)
o Notes
Observations using ALL of your senses (except taste!!)
Conduct a systematic Search
o Spiral
Outdoors, wooded area
o Quadrant/Zone
Car/Vehicle
o Line/Strip
Open Field
o Grid
Indoor room/warehouse
Collect, package, and label evidence properly!
o Biological evidence
Must be dried COMPLETELY and then packaged in a breathable bag
or envelope.
o Trace evidence
Tape-lifted, then packaged in breathable bag or envelope
o Arson and explosive evidence
Contained in an air-tight canister (metal/plastic) IMMEDIATELY!
Dont forget to collect CONTROL SAMPLES!!
o sexual assault cases
victim(s), suspect(s), sexual partner(s)
o homicides
victim(s), suspect(s), others who have been in contact with CS
o hit-and-run accidents
glass, paint, plastic, tire prints from suspects car
o braking-and-entering
Individual Evidence:
o Evidence that can be linked to ONE (1) individual source (i.e. person, animal,
thing,)
Class Evidence:
o Evidence that can be linked to a group of sources (i.e. persons, animals,
things,)
Biological Evidence:
o Physical evidence that IS/WAS/WAS FROM a living thing
Trace Evidence:
o Extremely small or invisible physical evidence
General Physical Evidence:
o A tangible item or substance that is used to prove any element/part of a
crime
Deductions from observations include
o Color, approximate size, texture, smell, shape, .
Examinations/Forensic Analyses include
o Mass, volume, density, thickness, temperature, microscopic, refractive
index, chromatography, chemical analysis, .
Examples of Equipment.
o Balance, graduated cylinder, microscope, thermometer, laser, super glue
fuming chamber, gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer, .
Fingerprints
The Scientific Method
o Identify a Question
Loop
Whorl
o Level 2: Formations and combinations
*Minutiae Points
o Level 3: Details within the formations
*dimensional attributes of a ridge
-Solid portion:
Erythrocytes = Red Blood Cells (RBC) (no DNA)
o Contain Hemoglobin which transports O2 from lungs to cells
and CO2 from cells to lungs
Leukocytes = White Blood Cells (WBC)
o Primary cells of the immune systemthey produce
antibodies
Thrombocytes = Platelets (no nuclei)
o Start the clotting process by initiating the production of
fibrin
o If clotted material is removed, left with yellow liquid =
serum
o Blood Type:
Antigens are found on RBCs and Antibodies are produced by WBCs
Antibodies in
Blood Type Antigens on RBC
Donor For
Recipient For
Serum
A
A
B
A, AB
A, O
B
B
A
B, AB
B, O
AB
A and B
None
AB
All
O
None
A and B
All
O
Rh +
D
---Rh ---D
Universal Donor: OUniversal Acceptor: AB+
*Blood has 100 sub types to further identify victim or perpetrator
Historical Investigations
Mass Disasters
Unit 6: Ballistics
Unit 7: Serial Killers