Forensics

Forensic Disciplines• Ballistics – markings on bullets and other projectiles and

the composition of the projectiles.• DNA – identify genetic matches collected from any cell.

Can be used for paternity tests and crime scene placement.

• Serology – collect body fluids and isolate DNA – used to determine similar proteins and enzymes.

• Fingerprinting – identify by comparing fingerprints with a database. Can use a palm print as well.

• Toxicology – removing chemicals from the body to determine composition. May include poisons, drugs, blood alcohol.

More• Trace – residues and small objects collected at a crime

scene. May include fibers, chemicals, hair, fluids, etc.• Drugs – legal and illegal drugs• Clandestine Labs – places where drugs are made• Entomology – bugs found at the crime scene• Psychology – study of criminal behavior• Digital – collection of materials from any electronic

device• Anthropology – skeletal remains• Document – forgeries, fakes• Odontology – teeth marks and dental identification.

What is the job of the forensic scientist?• Popular T.V. shows have changed the perception of

the forensic scientists job.• Scientists do not catch criminals.• Most are not uniformed police officers, and many

that are have desk jobs.• Forensic scientists are not crime fighters, they are

only supposed to provide an unbiased description of the evidence collected and examined.

• It is the lawyers, jury, and judge who is to interpret the evidence to determine guilt or innocence.

Conflict of Interest?• Forensic scientists are not crime fighters, they are

only supposed to provide an unbiased description of the evidence collected and examined.

• Most forensic labs are run by the law enforcement division of some level of government.

• They are getting paid by people they don’t always find in favor of. – Is there pressure to find something to help law

enforcement?– Is this making them more thorough?

The law• Steps are taken to ensure that all evidence is

collected, handled, and tested properly.• Conclusions of test results are based upon a

statistical accuracy.• If any step is not done properly, the defense can

have the evidence thrown out which can shift the case.

• The law helps the defence, and good lawyers can ensure that juries ignore certain pieces of evidence.

Conviction• Guidelines are created and followed that all

forensic scientists must adhere to.• There are no exceptions!• Usually several types of forensic evidence are

required in major crimes.• For petty crime, proof of possession with

some evidence linking the object to that person is enough.

Who pays• Should the defendant pay for the forensic work?• How would they do that?• Is that fair or equitable?• What if they are found innocent?• What if they demand the test?• What if the conclusion is wrong?• So then who does pay?• Is that fair?