Intro to Forensics Science

1. Intro to Forensics Science 2013-2014

2. What is Forensic Science? • Forensic Science is the study and application of science to matters of the law.

3. 3 Major Avenues Available to Police Investigators in Solving a Crime • Confessions • Some suspects may be coerced into confessions for fear of longer sentences even though they are innocent • Eyewitness Accounts by Victims or Witnesses • Eyewitness accounts vary considerably from person to person • Eyewitness accounts are unreliable and have led to the imprisonment of many wrongfully convicted suspects • INNOCENCE PROJECT – Project with aim to free wrongfully convicted • 87% of all wrongful convictions were a result of flawed eyewitness testimony • Evaluation of Physical Evidence Retrieved From the Crime Scene • Only physical evidence is free of inherent error or bias • Relies on science

4. Scientific Method • Science derives it’s integrity from adherence to guidelines and the scientific method • Careful and systematic (orderly) collection, organization, and analysis of information/evidence • The underlying principles provide a safety net to ensure that the outcome of an investigation is not tainted by human emotion or compromised by distorting, belittling, or ignoring contrary evidence

5. Functions of a Forensic Scientist • Find, examine, and evaluate evidence at a crime scene • Observational skills are key! • Must observe whole crime scene • Avoid tunnel vision • Collect all evidence and don’t jump to conclusions • Use analytical skills to examine evidence and draw conclusions • ANALYTICAL SKILLS = the ability to identify a problem, isolate its component parts, organize information for decision making, and evaluate information to draw conclusions • Using DEDUCTIVE REASONING- using logic while studying all known facts to come to a conclusion • Act as expert witnesses for prosecution or defense attorneys

6. What is Observation? • Gathering Information about what is around us through our senses-sight, taste, hearing, smell and touch

7. What Effects Our Observations • Our Brains do not pay attention to all information around us. • Perception- interpreting information received from our senses • Our Perception is influenced by our emotions, state of mind, and prior experiences or knowledge • Our Brain tries to “fill in the gaps” when we don’t have all the information and OUR PERCEPTION can skew information as it goes to our short term memory • Short term memory – lasts only a short period of time • A few minutes to 24 hrs • Long term memory – what is transferred to our memory bank for long periods • Days, weeks, months and yrs

8. Our ability to observe and remember can be heightened in certain circumstances. • Example- 911 Attack • Most people can remember exactly where they were and what they did on this day.

9. How To Be a Good Observation • Pay attention to all the details of your surroundings • Place personal opinions and beliefs aside • Rely on direct experience and knowledge • Don’t jump to conclusions • Write down and photograph as much information as possible • Memories are faulty

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