What is Forensic Science ?

1. What is Forensic Science ? LHS Biotechnology Course Instructor: L. Steward

3. Forensics means… • “Of the Forum” • Originated from ancient Rome when the Senate would conduct its meetings in a public place called the forum • Today = methods or application of science applied to matters of law

4. Criminalistics • The scientific application to the collection and analysis of evidence in criminal matters • Often interchangeable with the term Forensic Science • A Criminalist works in the field of Criminalistics

5. Areas of Forensic Science: • Serology (body fluids) • Entomology (insects) • Chemistry • Toxicology (poisons) • Document Analysis • Odontology (dentistry) • Psychiatry • Fingerprint Analysis • Ballistics • Tool Mark Analysis • Anthropology (bones) • Hair Analysis • Fiber Analysis • Engineering • Mechanical failure • Structural failure • Car accident reconstruction 1923 – LAPD –Oldest Lab 1932 – FBI – World’s Largest Lab

6. The History & Development of Forensic Science • 700 – Chinese fingerprints on clay • 1000 –bloody palm print in Roman court • 1248 – Chinese – diff between strangulation & drowning • 1609 – document analysis • 1686 – 7 fingerprint characteristics • 1784 – math torn edge of paper in pistol to paper in suspect’s pocket • 1810 – 1st detective force in France • 1813 – microscopes & toxicology • 1823 – began to classify fingerprints Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes

7. History continued… • 1835 – bullet comparisons • 1839 – microscope evaluation of fabric • 1879 – hair analysis • 1904 – Locard’s Exchange Principle • 1905 – FBI formed by T. Roosevelt • 1924 – LAPD Crime Lab • 1932 – FBI National Lab • 1937 – Technical Criminology @ Cal • 1950 – School of Criminology @ Cal • 1954 – Breathalyzer • 1977 – AFIS by FBI • 1984 – 1st DNA test • 1991 – IBIS by FBI www.forensicdna.com 1986 – Nobel Prize for PCR by Kary Mullis

8. 2 Types of Forensic Scientists: • Sworn Police Officer or Civilian • Job duty is to analyze evidence and testify in court • 2 types of witnesses who testify in court: • “Lay” witness = not an expert but has something to contribute • Ex: witness, victim, knows suspect • Cannot give their opinion • JOB OF JURY is to make conclusions about the EVIDENCE presented to them, not that of the witness • Ex: eyewitness can’t say suspect was “drunk” – that has to be determined by an EXPERT

9. Expert Witness • Person who has knowledge or skills, derived from education and/or experience, that qualify them to take a set of facts and reach conclusions not attainable by the avg. person

10. Federal Forensic Labs: • Approx. 400+ labs in US • Dept of Justice (DOJ)-managed by Att.Gen • FBI – most prestigious lab in world • Drug Enforcement Administration – DEA • Dept. of Homeland Security • Dept. of the Treasury • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives – BATF • IRS – Internal Revenue Service • Dept. of the Interior • U.S. Postal Service

11. So you want to be a Forensic Scientist? • Bachelor of Science degree – Chem, Bio, Physics with coursework in microscopy & statistics • You work in a lab, no windows, process & test evidence • Law Enforcement Training • You are a Police Officer, with specific on the job training • Example: Evidence Technician

12. Other Careers: • Forensic Pathologist = BS+Med School + Residency + Board testing = 14 years • Forensic Engineer = PhD, private company • Forensic Anthropologist = few labs can afford, need another area of expertise, could teach at university and they hire your expertise • Forensic Odontologist= BS+dental school • Forensic Entomologist = BS/PhD • www.aafs.org