definitions
forensic science
The application of scientific knowledge to questions of civil and criminal law
class evidence vs individual evidence
class-evidence that connects to a group or category, rather than a specific source (blood type, shoe prints)
individual-evidence that can be linked to a single, specific source or person with an extremely high degree of certainty (fingerprints, dna profiles)
responsibilities of the first officer
obtain medical assistance for injured persons, make arrests, isolate and protect the science, exclude unauthorized persons, and establish a perimeter
all evidence must be...
properly sealed, labeled, in original condition, no contamination or defects.
inductive reasoning
a bottom up approach to solving a problem where conclusions are drawn based on inferences from apparently separate observations or pieces of information
Locards exchange principle
whenever someone enters or exits an environment, something physical is added to and removed from the scene.
transient evidence vs. conditional evidence
transient- evidence that will likely change or be lst quickly due to conditions at the scene (odors, burning items, temperatures)
conditional- evidence that is produces by a specific action or event and thus is conditional on the context of the scene (lights on or off, doors open, smoke)
goals of processing a crime scene
preserve, collect, and document evidence
examples of physical evidence are...
blood, fingerprints, fibers, soil, glass, paint, glass, saliva, semon
infrences
based on the fact that result from testing the individual pieces of info and by their nature are self correcting
scientific method
a step by step process used to explore observations, test ideas, and answer questions while reducing personal bias
scientific theory vs law
theory- a hypothesis that ahs been evaluated by many scientists such that it has moved beyond simple prediction into foundational explanation.
law- a principle or unifying concept which has been show over time to be without exception.
functions of forensic scientist
Performing scientific analysis of evidence offering expert testimony, with the use of scientific method
physical evidence is important because...
It can prove a crime occurred, connect a suspect to a victim, or link a person to a crime.
deductive reasoning
a top down approach to solving a problem, which requires a theory and from which a hypothesis is formed
expert witness
a person with specialized knowledge who provides an independent professional opinion in a legal case
which form of reasoning increases bias?
deductive
methods of crime scene recording
photography, videography, sketching, taking notes
every individual who enters a crime scene is...
a potential destroyer of evidence
voir dire
the procedure by which persons who will serve in a capacity to the court are qualified
chain of custody
identifies the evidence, verifies that what is being presented in court is the same as what was collected at the scene, identifies everyone that came into contact with the evidence.
what are the 3 types of cuticles in hair and what to they look like?
cornal- crown like (small rodants)
spinous- petal like (animals)
imbricate- shingle like (human)
3 zones of a secured crime scene
inner zone, working zone, outer zone.
a bindle is...
paper folded into an envelope to hold evidence at a crime scene to avoid contamination
aductive reasoning
explaining something that is experienced or observed in some way based on what you know, but without much data