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Forensic ScienceForensic Science Flashcards

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13632151113Forensic Sciencethe applications to matters of science to law -As well as. . . The business of providing timely, accurate, and thorough information to all levels of decisions makers in our criminal justice system.0
13632151114Criminalisticsthe scientific examination of physical evidence for legal purposes This term is synomous with forensic science1
13632151115Criminologyincludes the physcological angle, studying the crime scene for motive, traits, and behavior that will help to interpret the evidence2
13632151116Divisions of Crime Lab**Physical Science Unit -chemistry -physics **Geology **Biology Unit(DNA) **Firearms Unit(tool mark) **Document Examination Unit **Photography Unit3
13632151117Edmond Locard**French professor **Considered the father of: criminalistics( understood the importance of nature in crime scenes and other cases.) **Built the world's first forensic laboratory in France in 1910 Exchange Principle Whenever two objects come into contact with each other, traces of each are exchanged.4
13632151118Mathieu OrfilaFather of: toxicology, spainish medical proffessor who developed a test for identifying arsenic in the body5
13632151119Alphonse BertillonFather of: criminal identification6
13632151120Francis GaltonFirst to develop a method of: first to develop a method using fringerprints as a means of identification.4f7
13632151121Dr. Karl LandsteinerAn Austrian physician that identified the A, B, AB, and O blood groups in 1901.8
13632151122Rudolf VirchowA German pathologist who standardized a way to preform autopsies one of two ways still used today. ** His cell theory, ("Omnis cellula e cellula") said that cells arise only from other cells.9
13632151123Eugene Francois VidocqConsidered the father of modern criminal investigation. Perhaps the greatest real life detective. He was a criminal that continually escaped from prison. Eventually, he was asked to lead a group of criminals that helped the police solve crimes. This group became the **Surete** which was the most effective police agency in all of France.10
13632151124scientific method1. Observe a problem 2. Consider a hypothesis or possible solution. 3. Examine, test, and then analyze the evidence. 4. Determine the significance of the evidence. 5. Formulate a theory based on evaluation of the significance of the evidence11
13632151125Recongnitionability to distinguish important evidence from unrelated material(which doesn't belong)12
13632151126Preservationcollection of evidence(properly clothed for the contamtination of other evidence)13
13632151127Identificationuse of scientific testing14
13632151128Classmeasured against those of know standards or controls; If all measurements are equal, then the two samples are considered to have come from the same source or origin.(can you group it?)15
13632151129Individualization-demonstrating that the sample is unique, even among members of the same class.(allows you to indenitfy the one contribuator or person)16
13632151130Interpretationgives meaning to all the information(meaning of the labs)(in the court)17
13632151131Reconstructionthe case events( can be able to put the evidence in chronological order to present the evidence to a jury)(in the court)18
13632151132direct evidenceeyewitness statements, confessions( not always the best because of biased)19
13632151133Circumstantialrequires a indriect judegment or inference about what happened ***Circumstantial evidence is not absolute proof, but does provide a general idea of what happened. It may be more reliable than direct. Circumstantial is used in most cases.20
13632151134Testimonialalso known as direct evidence or Prima Facie evidence( a statement made underoath that may be given)21
13632151135Physicalany object or material that is relevant in a crime22
13632151136Transient Evidencetemporary; easily changed or lost; usually observed by the first officer at the scene23
13632151137Pattern Evidenceproduced by direct contact between a person and an object or between two objects; most are in the form of imprints, indentations, striations, markings fractures or deposits. -skid marks24
13632151138Conditional Evidenceproduced by a specific event or action; important in crime scene reconstruction and in determining the set of circumstances within a particular event **head light25
13632151139Transfer of Evidenceproduced by contact between person(s) or object(s), or between person(s) and object(s)26
13632151140Associative Evidence-items that may associated a victim or suspect with a scene or each other; ie, personal belongings27
13632151141Classcommon group of objects or persons -> blood type28
13632151142Individualcan be identified with a particular person or source(can isolate to one and only source) -> blood dna29
136321511431923 Frye v. United StatesScientific evidence is allowed into the courtroom if it was generallyaccepted by the scientific community. ****The Frye standard does not offer any guidance on reliability30
136321511441993 Daubert v. Dow Admissibility is determined by:***Whether the theory or technique can be tested ***Whether the science has been offered for peer review ***Whether the rate of error is acceptable ***Whether the method at issue enjoys widespread ****acceptence(scientific community-can an indendenat lab concuct the same evidence support in another lab) ***Whether the opinion is relevant to the to the issue31
13632151145probativeactually mean something32
13632151146materialaddress an issue in this particular crime33
13632151147Means—person has the ability to do the crime34
13632151148Motiveperson has a reason to do the crime35
13632151149Opportunityperson had the ability to be at the crime36
13632151150first officer on the sceneA—assess the scene D—detain the witness ask them questions--details to write down A—arrest the perpetrator P—protect the crime scene—take out crime tape and shut of certain areas no matter how large T—take notes—compile data, including presenting any fragile evidence at the scene37
13632151151Medicolegal death investigator-representative from the medical examiner or coroner's office. Responsible for the body.38
13632151152Police investigatorsideally, 5 respond to a scene. Police have jurisdiction of the crime scene.39
13632151153Case Detective-Document the crime scene -Interview the original or reporting patrol officer -Examine crime scene with crime scene investigator (CSI) -Pass on necessary info to assisting detectives40
13632151154Homicide Supervisor-Assign roles to the detectives -Arrange for necessary resources -Keep logs of assignments -Relay into to commanders41
13632151155documentation for the crime scene-notes -photographpy -sketches -videography42
13632151156Link methodBased on the linage theory of Locard; one type of evidence leads to another; experiential, logical and systematic; most common and productive type used43
13632151157Line or strip method-best in large, outdoor scenes44
13632151158Zone method-most effective in houses or buildings; teams are assigned small zones for searching45
13632151159Wheel or ray methodbest on small, circular crime scenes46
13632151160Spiral method-may move inward or outward; best used where there are no physical barriers47
13632151161grid methodbasically a double-line search; effective, but time-consuming48
13632151162Triangulationuses two points at the crime scene to map each piece of evidence49
13632151163Coordinate or grid-divides the crime scene into squares for mapping.50
13632151164Suspended Polar coordinate-coordinate-for use in mapping evidence in a hole51
13632151165Baselineset a north/south line and measures each piece of evidence from this line.52
13632151166Druggist Foldis used with larger pieces of paper folded around larger items to hold trace evidence in place. These are then placed insider other containers such as paper bags, plastic bags, canisters, packets and envelopes depending on the type and size of the evidence.53
13632151167chain of custodyA written record of all people who have had possession of an item of evidence.54
13632151168K-9 programsNarcotics--dogs that find illegal drugs Tracking--dogs that look for a fugitive or suspect that is would be near the crime scene Bomb detection--dogs that look for explosive devices Arson detection--dogs trained to detect various types of accelerants Search and rescue--dogs that look for people who are lost Body detector--dogs used in mass disasters Cadver--dogs trained to detect decomposition Human Remains Specialists--dogs that can detect any human remains.55
13632151169Juan Vucetichan Argentinian police officer, researched the science of fingerprints, corresponded with Galton, then devised his own system of fingerprint classification.56
13632151170Sir Edward HenryHe devised a workable classification system for fingerprints57
13632151171The Bertillon Systemdeveloped the first truly organized system of identifying individuals in 1883. He believed that everyone could be distinguished from one another by key measurements of their body. These measurements became known as berillonage.58
13632151172Thomas JenningsThe first person convicted in the US on fingerprint evidence.59
13632151173Brandon MayfieldA lawyer and convert of Muslim, was held for two weeks before the Spanish investigation revealed that the print instead belonged to Algerian, Ouhnane Daoud.60
13632151174Dactylosocopythe study of fingerprints61
1363215121262
13632151213Fingerprint characteristics63
13632151175Arch fingerprintThey do NOT have type delta or cores64
13632151176arch tented archtented arch65
13632151177Loop fingerprintRadial --opens toward the thumb Ulnar --opens toward the "pinky" (little finger) ***Loops must have one delta or one core**.66
13632151178Plain WhorlThis print has 2 delta's and therefore it is a whorl67
13632151214Double loop whorl68
13632151215accidental whorl69
13632151216Primary Identification Numbers fingerprinting70
13632151179comparisonGenerally, criminal courts will accept 8 to 12 points of similarity.71
13632151180IAFISThe Automated Fingerprint Identification System--a computer system for storing and retrieving fingerprints72
13632151181visible fingerprintsMade by fingers touching a surface after the ridges have been in contact with a colored material such as blood, paint, grease, or ink.73
13632151182Plastic PrintsRidge impressions left on a soft material such as putty, wax, soap, or dust.74
13632151183Latent Printsare those that are "hidden" and are not visible to the naked eye. These prints consist only of the natural secretions of human skin and require treatment to cause them to become visible.75
13632151184Lifting latent printspowders, iodine,Ninhydrin,sliver nitrate, cyanoacrylate76
13632151185powdersadhere to both water and fatty deposits. Choose a color to contrast the background.77
13632151186Iodine--fumes react with oils and fats to produce a temporary yellow brown reaction. Iodine crystals sublime (go directly from solid to vapor).78
13632151187Ninhydrin--reacts with amino acids to produce a purple reaction.(works good with paper and styrofoam and takes a couple days and must be a little moist)79
13632151188Silver nitrateSilver nitrate--react with chlorides to form silver chloride, a material which turns gray when exposed to light.(does a lot of damage and should not be first choice)80
13632151189Cyanoacrylate- "super glue" fumes react with water and other fingerprint constituents to form a hard, whitish deposit.(used on irregular surfaces)81
13632151190palmlines can be identified and may be used against suspects82
13632151191footprintsare taken at birth as a means of identification83
13632151192accidentalsare marks made on the soles of the shoes that would make the print unique84
13632151193biometrics*Use of some type of body metrics for the purpose of identification. --controls entry or access to computers or other structures; identifies persons for security; helps prevent identity theft or controls social services fraud85
13632151194Five Prongs of Daubert-Testability -General Acceptence -General Review -Known or Potential ErrorRate -Maintenance of Standard & Controls86
13632151195testabilityA critical evaluation process that supports or refutes a hypothesis87
13632151196types of handguns-revolvers -pistols88
13632151197types of Shoulder guns-Rifles -Shot Guns89
13632151198toolThe harder of two objects that comes into forceful contact with one another, resulting in the softer object being marked90
13632151199tool markFeatures imparted on an object by the contact and force exerted from a tool. -impressed -striated91
13632151200impressed tool markFeatures produced when a tool contacts an object with enough compressive force that it leaves an impression.92
13632151217Parts of a handgun93
13632151201striated toolmarkFeatures produced when a tool contacts an object with lateral force and motion.94
13632151202caliberCaliber is the diameter of the bullet, specifically the projectile, commonly called the slug.95
13632151203class characteristicsGeneral and/or measurable features of a specimen which indicate a Restricted group source. They result from design factors, and are therefore determined prior to manufacture.96
13632151204Individual CharacteristicsMarks or features produced by the random imperfections or irregularities of tool surfaces. These characteristics can be used to individually associate a tool to a toolmark. -from abuse -wear from use also97
13632151205Range of conclusions for identifying firearms-identification -inconclusive -elimination98
13632151206identificationIf the quality and character of the toolmark have sufficient detail, can be concluded based on the correspondence of individual characteristics99
13632151207inconclusiveIf the quality and character of the toolmark are lacking, an examiner may not be able to make an identification or elimination.100
13632151208elimination-lack of characteristics -If disagreement in individual characteristics of an exceptional nature exists, an elimination conclusion may be the appropriate response.101
13632151209Daubert Decision-is Testable -is Generally Accepted -is Peer Reviewed -has Known Error Rates maintains Standards & Controls102

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