History
Edmond Locard - early 1900s- the 'Exchange Principle'
Formulated the basic principle of forensic science: "Every Contact Leaves a Trace"
Why are investigators trained to follow certain steps?
To ensure that evidence is found, secured, and collected so that it maintains its integrity as it travels from the crime scene to the court room
Examples of evidence include: impressions, soil, fibers, weapons, fingerprints, footprints, handwriting, typewriting, etc.
Physical Evidence
What is Ballistics
the science of projectiles and firearms.
the study of the effects of being fired on a bullet, cartridge, or gun.
What is the 5th step in CSI
Sketching the Scene
The individual whom the court determines to possess knowledge relevant to the trial that is not expected of the average layperson.
What is an expert witness?
What is the 3rd step of the CSI Steps
Scanning the Scene
A piece of evidence that implies a fact without proving it. There are two types: physical and biological evidence. This type of evidence may be used to link a suspect to a crime scene.
Circumstantial Evidence
What is the application and study of insect and other arthropod biology to criminal matters
Entomology
What is admissibility?
evidence that is allowed to be admitted in a court of law
General acceptance test is a test to determine the admissibility of scientific evidence.
The Frye Standard
the chronological documentation or paper trail that records the sequence of custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of physical or electronic evidence
Chain Of Custody
a folded paper used to hold trace evidence
Paper Bindle
True or False: Odontology is Handling, examining, and evaluating of dental evidence
True
Evidence that has characteristics common to a group of objects, not to one single object. This type of evidence narrows identity to a group of persons or things. This is the most common classification of evidence.
Examples include: type of gun, blood type, plants, etc.
Class Evidence
In Daubert v. Merrell Dow pharmaceuticals, whom did the U.S. Supreme court charged with ensuring that an expert's testimony rests on a reliable foundation and is relevant to the case?
The trial judge must ensure and expert's testimony rests on a reliable foundation and us relevant to the case.
What is Securing the Scene
first officer arrives and must preserve and protect the area priority should be given to obtaining medical assistance and to arresting the perpetrator , ropes or barricades and guards prevent unauthorized access to the scene
Testimonial evidence such as an eyewitness account, a confession, or surveillance footage.
Direct Evidence
the science of the causes and effects of diseases, especially the branch of medicine that deals with the laboratory examination of samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic purposes.
Pathology
small but measurable amounts of physical or biological material found at a crime scene
Trace Evidence
First to develop a method of: first to develop a method using fringerprints as a means of identification
Francis Galton
each piece of evidence must be preserved in its original state and its integrity maintained
each item should be handled carefully and wrapped separately to avoid cross contamination
chain of custody is very important
evidence tape must be signed
Securing and Collecting Evidence
Evidence that can be linked to a unique, single, specific source. This evidence has a unique combination of characteristics that could only belong to one individual.
Examples include: fingerprints, DNA, handwriting, a piece of broken glass that fits perfectly into a window, etc.
Individual Evidence
True or False:Anthropology is the study of the effects of disease on the body, while forensic anthropology studies the disease of crime.
False
Who is usually the first person to arrive at the crime scene?
Police Officers