What is Forensic Science ? LHS Biotechnology Course Instructor:

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

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

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

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

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 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 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 Sherlock Holmes

History continued 1835 – bullet comparisons 1839 – microscope evaluation of fabric 1879 – hair analysis 1904 – Locard’s Exchange Principle 1905 – FBI formed by T. Roosevelt www.forensicdna.com 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 1986 – Nobel for PCR 1991 – IBISPrize by FBI by Kary Mullis

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

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

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

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

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