Intro to Forensic Science

8.20.14

What is Forensic Science?

What is Forensic Science?

• “The application of science to the criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system.”

• Few techniques of forensic science are unique to the field. Rather, it borrows from biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and anthropology for the above purpose.

Crime Investigations

• While Forensic Science may start at the scene of the crime, most work takes place in the crime lab.

Crime Laboratories

• First established in 1923 in LA.

• FBI established first federal crime lab in 1932

• Most cities now have their own crime labs…why???

Crime Lab Services

• Physical Science Unit: Applies principles of chemistry, physics, and geology to the identification and comparison of physical evidence from crime scene. Examples: Drugs, glass, paint, explosives, soil, fibers, etc.

Lab Services, cont.

• Biology Unit: Performs DNA analysis, identifies bloodstains and other bodily fluids, identifies and compares botanical materials, compares hairs and other natural fibers.

Lab Services, cont.

• Firearms Unit: Examines firearms, discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells, and ammunition.

Lab Services, cont.

• Document Examination Unit: Analyzes handwriting, paper, checks, and printers of documents.

Lab Services, cont.

• Photography Unit: Examines and records physical evidence at the crime scene, suspect’s location, and within crime lab

Additional Specialized Units

• Toxicology Unit: Examines organs and fluids to determine presence and identification of drugs or poisons.

• Fingerprint Unit: Processes and examines latent fingerprints.

Additional Specialized Units

• Polygraph Unit: Lie detector tests

• Voiceprint Analysis Unit: Analyze telephone or other vocal messages for individual, location, etc.