Forensic Science

The Search For Hidden Truths

Meet Inspector Meet Inspector Beaudeaux…Beaudeaux…

He would like to introduce He would like to introduce you to the world of forensic you to the world of forensic

science.science.

Follow me . . .Follow me . . .

So, what’s a So, what’s a forensic scientist?forensic scientist?

A forensic scientist studies and A forensic scientist studies and analyzes physical evidence used in analyzes physical evidence used in

criminal court cases.criminal court cases.

Many accused criminals are found Many accused criminals are found either innocent or guilty based on either innocent or guilty based on

the strength of evidence that a the strength of evidence that a forensic scientist provides.forensic scientist provides.

Forensic Scientists can specialize in Forensic Scientists can specialize in a variety of different areas:a variety of different areas:

•Studying blood for presence of Studying blood for presence of drugs, alcohol, or toxinsdrugs, alcohol, or toxins

•Performing DNA analysis on hair Performing DNA analysis on hair & body fluids& body fluids

•Examining documents to determine Examining documents to determine if forgery occurredif forgery occurred

•Matching fingerprintsMatching fingerprints

•Identifying type of firearm or tool Identifying type of firearm or tool used in a crimeused in a crime

•Determining results of polygraph Determining results of polygraph teststests

What personal What personal attributes are attributes are desirable in a desirable in a good forensic good forensic

scientist?scientist?

•Detail-oriented & organizedDetail-oriented & organized

(it may be that (it may be that oneone small detail that leads to the small detail that leads to the accused being found either innocent or guilty)accused being found either innocent or guilty)

•Patient & thoroughPatient & thorough

(must perform variety of time-consuming / (must perform variety of time-consuming / comprehensive tests on evidence)comprehensive tests on evidence)

•Proficient in science & mathProficient in science & math

(these concepts are the backbone of forensic (these concepts are the backbone of forensic science)science)

•Skilled at research & writingSkilled at research & writing

(need to prepare reports based on findings)(need to prepare reports based on findings)

•Excellent communicatorExcellent communicator

(explain & are cross-examined about findings)(explain & are cross-examined about findings)

•Curious and creative-mindedCurious and creative-minded

(looking at situation in different ways is (looking at situation in different ways is necessary for solving crimes)necessary for solving crimes)

The inspector’s The inspector’s partner wants you to partner wants you to know some the job know some the job

advantages of advantages of forensic scientists.forensic scientists.

•You have a high level of responsibilityYou have a high level of responsibility

•Every case is uniqueEvery case is unique

•You get to implement & validate new You get to implement & validate new techniquestechniques

•You’re not confined to an office spaceYou’re not confined to an office space

There are also some There are also some disadvantages.disadvantages.

•Some cases are gruesome and Some cases are gruesome and distressingdistressing

•Number of cases varies, so its Number of cases varies, so its difficult to control work loaddifficult to control work load

•You have to go to court & spend time You have to go to court & spend time waiting to testifywaiting to testify

•Journalists may call at your homeJournalists may call at your home

What are some of the What are some of the forensic science forensic science

specialties?specialties?

Forensic PathologistForensic Pathologist

A medical doctor who A medical doctor who performs autopsies to performs autopsies to

determine cause of determine cause of death.death.

Forensic PsychologistForensic Psychologist

Evaluates and treats Evaluates and treats patients in context patients in context

of legal issues.of legal issues.

Forensic AnthropologistForensic Anthropologist

Identifies and reconstructs bones; Identifies and reconstructs bones; determines gender, age, & cause of death.determines gender, age, & cause of death.

CriminalistCriminalistAnalyzes, compares, identifies, & interprets Analyzes, compares, identifies, & interprets

physical evidence at crime scenes.physical evidence at crime scenes.

Forensic EntomologistForensic Entomologist

Uses insects that inhabit decomposing bodies to determine time of death.

Forensic EngineerForensic EngineerInvestigates & reports on accidents or Investigates & reports on accidents or

structural failures that may have criminal structural failures that may have criminal implications.implications.

Forensic Odontologist (Dentist)Forensic Odontologist (Dentist)

Helps identify bodies by looking at their teeth.Helps identify bodies by looking at their teeth.

Forensic NurseForensic Nurse

Provides treatment for Provides treatment for crime victims. They are crime victims. They are

especially needed in especially needed in emergency rooms to emergency rooms to gather and package gather and package criminal evidence.criminal evidence.

Forensic ToxicologistForensic Toxicologist

Analyses alcohol, drugs, & poisons in body Analyses alcohol, drugs, & poisons in body fluids for the benefit of the courts.fluids for the benefit of the courts.

Wildlife Forensic Scientist Wildlife Forensic Scientist Forensic scientists who track down criminals Forensic scientists who track down criminals

who harm wild animals.who harm wild animals.

Here are some forensic Here are some forensic science photos--some are science photos--some are from actual crime scenes:from actual crime scenes:

Defense Wounds #1Defense Wounds #1

Defense wounds on the hand of a victim whose assailant was attacking with a knife.

Defense Wound #2Defense Wound #2

Here is a typical "defense wound" on the forearm of Here is a typical "defense wound" on the forearm of the victim of an assault with a sharp weapon, the victim of an assault with a sharp weapon,

producing the laceration.producing the laceration.

Defense PostureDefense PostureScene illustrates mechanism for "defense wounds".Scene illustrates mechanism for "defense wounds".

Clay Model Used to Clay Model Used to Demonstrate Knife WoundsDemonstrate Knife Wounds

double edge double edge

knife woundknife wound

single edge single edge knife woundknife wound

Stab Wound: Single Edge Stab Wound: Single Edge BladeBlade

Sharp edge Sharp edge of bladeof blade

Deadly blow to head that resulted Deadly blow to head that resulted in fractured skull and bleeding.in fractured skull and bleeding.

Fractured Liver: Fractured Liver: Blunt Force InjuryBlunt Force Injury

Natural Death:Natural Death:**Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast

*Pathologist’s *Pathologist’s photo of embryo photo of embryo

(ectopic (ectopic pregnancy)pregnancy)

Forensic Pathologist’s Tools Forensic Pathologist’s Tools of the Tradeof the Trade

More autopsy tools…More autopsy tools…

Stryker Saw:Stryker Saw:good for cutting into skullgood for cutting into skull

Digital Imagery Reconstruction:Digital Imagery Reconstruction:Use of computer superimposes photo of Use of computer superimposes photo of

skull with outer skin.skull with outer skin.

Facial reconstruction technique used Facial reconstruction technique used by forensic artists.by forensic artists.

Some forensic scientists Some forensic scientists participate in high profile participate in high profile

cases and become famous.cases and become famous.

Meet Dr. Henry Lee--one of the world’s Meet Dr. Henry Lee--one of the world’s most renowned forensic pathologists.most renowned forensic pathologists.

The Inspector The Inspector hopes you hopes you

enjoyed learning enjoyed learning about the world about the world

of forensic of forensic science.science.