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Lecture 1 Syllabus and Introduction to Forensic Science _F24

The document outlines the course FRSC300: Survey of Forensic Science for Fall 2024, detailing its goals, grading structure, class policies, and important deadlines. It covers core topics in forensic science, including evidence collection, ethical considerations, and the history and organization of crime laboratories. Additionally, it discusses the role of forensic scientists, the standards for admissibility of evidence, and the challenges faced in the field, such as DNA evidence backlogs.

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3 views

Lecture 1 Syllabus and Introduction to Forensic Science _F24

The document outlines the course FRSC300: Survey of Forensic Science for Fall 2024, detailing its goals, grading structure, class policies, and important deadlines. It covers core topics in forensic science, including evidence collection, ethical considerations, and the history and organization of crime laboratories. Additionally, it discusses the role of forensic scientists, the standards for admissibility of evidence, and the challenges faced in the field, such as DNA evidence backlogs.

Uploaded by

ethancat.ew
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FRSC300: SURVEY OF FORENSIC

SCIENCE

Fall 2024
Goals
 Outline core capabilities of forensic laboratories

 Classify different evidences, and learn their proper collection, packaging, and preservation
procedures

 Understand that forensic science is a multidisciplinary subject

 Understand and appreciate ethical considerations

 Learn new and emerging aspects of forensic science along with traditional sub-disciplines of this
field

 Interpret peer-reviewed scientific literature

 Orally communicate research findings


Class Materials
https://learningsystems.vcu.edu/canvas/
Grading
 3 Exams (100 points each)

 5 Online Quizzes (10 points each)

 1 Oral Presentation (100 points)

 1 Report on a Journal Article (80 points)

 Class Participation and Attendance (50 Points)

Scale: 90-100 = A, 80-89.5 = B, 70-79.5 = C, 60-69.5 = D, <60 = F


Suggested Topics for Oral Presentations

1. Mobile device forensics 7. Forensic photography

2. Biometrics 8. Forensic Chemistry

3. Law & forensic science 9. Forensic Psychology

4. Microscopy 10. Nuclear Terrorism

5. Capillary electrophoresis 11. Forensic Odontology

6. Forensic Palynology 12. Forensic Engineering


SEMESTER SCHEDULE
Important Deadlines

 Group names are due to instructor (09/24/2024)

 Oral presentation topic due to the instructor (10/10/2024)

 Journal article report is due on canvas (11.59 pm on 11/07/2024)

 PowerPoint slides due for all groups (11.59 pm on 11/14/2024)


Class Policies
Syllabus is tentative and may change
Check canvas regularly for due dates & updates
Late assignment penalty @10%/day, no submission a week after due date
Make-up examination only in extreme situations
Class attendance mandatory
 Turn-off cell-phone and mute computer before start of the class
No plagiarism, no generative AI tools
Contact instructor for SAEO accommodations
FORENSIC SCIENCE: Application of Science to law

Source:www.jblearning.com http://www.itsgov.com
TV shows on forensics: Realistic or unrealistic?

CSI
Effect
AAFS
The largest forensic
science organization
in the world
11 sections
History of Forensic Science

Sung Tz’u (1247 A.D.): China

commons.wikimedia.org
M. J. B. Orfila

 Father of forensic toxicology

 Introduced analytical aspects of Toxicology

 Conducted first successful forensic toxicological


investigation

 Detected arsenic in internal organ of Mr. LaFarge but


not in control cemetery earth or laboratory
commons.wikimedia.org
 Evidence sent Marie LaFarge to the guillotine in 1840 1787-1853

This was the first case where defense rebut the state’s expert by its own opposing expert
A. Bertillon
 In 1879 he devised first system of personal
identification known as anthroropometry or
bertillonage

 Father of criminal identification

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/visibleproofs/education/technological/zoomify_2.html
Sir F. Galton

Devised the method for


classifying fingerprints

Published book
“Finger Prints” in 1892

commons.wikimedia.org http://twain.lib.virginia.edu/wilson/galtonfp.html
ALBERT OSBORN: “Questioned Documents” (1910)

LEONE LATTE: Determination of blood group of dried bloodstain (1915)

EDMOND LOCARD: “Locard’s Exchange Principle” (1920)

“Every contact leaves a trace”


When two objects or person come in contact with each other then a cross-transfer of material(s) occurs

CALVIN GODDARD: Used comparison microscope for firearm examination


(1925)
https://microscopeinternational.com/
forensic-comparison-microscopes/
Crime Laboratories in the USA

• First crime lab started in France in 1910

• The LAPD forensic laboratory is the oldest (1923)


crime lab in the USA

• The FBI started crime lab in 1932, for all law


enforcement agency in the country http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/lab
Organization of a Crime Laboratory

• Public crime laboratories (>400)


– Federal
– State
– County
– Municipal
• Private crime laboratories
Four Federal Crime laboratories

1. FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation


• Largest crime lab in the world
• Capable of investigating a broad range of crimes

2. DEA - Drug Enforcement Administration


• Primary focus: analysis, production, sale, & transportation of illegal drugs

3. ATF - Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives


• Primary focus: analysis of alcoholic beverages, tax law documents, weapons,
explosive devices

4. USPS - U.S. Postal Service


Services of the Crime laboratory
Crime labs vary in the services they provide due to…

Differences in local laws


The lab’s capabilities
Budget and staff limitations

Many crime labs were simply created for processing drugs

Only a few labs offer a multitude of services


Full Service Crime Laboratory
Physical Science: Drugs, glass, paint, explosives, soil, & trace physical evidence.

Biology: DNA, bloodstains, semen, saliva, hair & fiber comparisons, botanical
materials (wood/plants).

Firearms: Examines firearms, discharged bullets, cartridge cases, shotgun shells,


ammunition of all types, clothing (for gun residue), tool-mark comparisons.

Document Examination : examines handwritten & typed/printed documents for


authenticity (forgery), ink & paper analysis.

Photography: Uses digital imaging, infrared, ultraviolet, & x-ray photography AND
courtroom photos.
Full Service Crime Laboratory
Toxicology: Body fluids & organs tested for drugs/poisons.
Intoxilyzer – an instrument that detects the level of alcohol consumed
by someone
Latent Fingerprint Unit

Digital Evidence Unit

Polygraph: Lie Detection Test

Voiceprint Analysis: Telephone threats & recorded message.


Sound spectrograph – an instrument that transforms speech into a visual
graphic display called a voiceprint

Evidence-Collection Unit: they only collect; they do NOT analyze


Functions of Forensic Scientist

Applies Science to Law

Analyzes Physical Evidence

Gives Expert Testimony

Trains Law Enforcement


Determining Admissibility of Evidence

1. Frye Standard (Frye v. U.S. 1923):

Technique must be “established” & “generally accepted” within the scientific


community

Lie detector/polygraph test was not a “generally accepted” technique at that time

2. Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) (US Congress in 1975)

Alternative to the Frye Standard

Any evidence is admissible so long as it assists the jury & is deemed relevant by
the judge
Determining Admissibility of Evidence
3. Daubert Standard (Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals 1993)

No junk science!

This requires special pre-trial hearings for scientific evidence

Trial judge acts as a gatekeeper for admissibility of evidence based on following guidelines:

1. Whether the method can be (and has been) tested

2. Whether the method has been peer-reviewed and published

3. What is the expected error rate

4. Availability of standards that controls technique’s operation

5. Whether the method is widely accepted with the relevant scientific community
Expert Testimony

Forensic Scientists are often called upon to act as an “Expert


Witness”

Expert Witness – someone that possesses a particular skill or


knowledge on a topic that will aid the court in determining the
truth
Expert Testimony
• The credentials that makes someone an ‘expert’ is often
ambiguous & highly subjective

• Expert witnesses must be:

 Advocates of Truth
 Objective (no personal opinions)
 Experienced (# of years in their field)
 Trained (special courses)
 Educated (degrees in their field)
Expert Testimony

An expert witness is allowed to be challenged by the


opposing attorney

They cross-examine the expert to find any weaknesses


in background & knowledge

Even if someone is considered an ‘expert’, a judge or


jury might not consider their testimony that important
anyway
Challenges: DNA Evidence backlogs

https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-18-651t
Where will I get employment?

US Department of labor http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes194092.htm


Top Five Employer State

US Department of labor
Annual Average Salary 2022

US Department of labor
Questions!

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