©Kathy Mirakovits, FSEC 1

Introduction to Forensic Introduction to Forensic ScienceScience

& Crime Scene Protocol& Crime Scene Protocol

Kathy MirakovitsKathy Mirakovits

©Kathy Mirakovits, FSEC 2

‘‘Basics’ of Forensic Basics’ of Forensic ScienceScience

What does “forensic science” What does “forensic science” mean?mean?

The presentation of science or scientific The presentation of science or scientific evidence in a public forum (court of law)evidence in a public forum (court of law)

©Kathy Mirakovits, FSEC 3

Edmond LocardEdmond Locard

Locard’s Exchange Principle – Locard’s Exchange Principle – whenever two objects come in whenever two objects come in contact, there is a mutual exchange contact, there is a mutual exchange of material.of material.

Every criminal can be tied to crime. Every criminal can be tied to crime. Something is left behind. CS Something is left behind. CS

Investigators must find that material Investigators must find that material or materials: EVIDENCE.or materials: EVIDENCE.

©Kathy Mirakovits, FSEC 4

Individual vs. Class Individual vs. Class EvidenceEvidence

Class EvidenceClass Evidence Consistent with a Consistent with a

particular sourceparticular source The more class The more class

evidence that fit the evidence that fit the criminal – the bettercriminal – the better HairHair FibersFibers SoilSoil Glass fragmentsGlass fragments

Individual Individual EvidenceEvidence

Individualized to a Individualized to a single, specific sourcesingle, specific source

No doubt as to what the No doubt as to what the source issource is fingerprintsfingerprints DNADNA HandwritingHandwriting VoiceprintsVoiceprints

Always involves a Always involves a comparison—an comparison—an exemplar.exemplar.

©Kathy Mirakovits, FSEC 5

‘‘Basics’ of Crime Basics’ of Crime Scene ProtocolScene Protocol

©Kathy Mirakovits, FSEC 6

Search MethodsSearch Methods

ZONE SPIRAL

GRID LINE

©Kathy Mirakovits, FSEC 7

Crime Scene Crime Scene PhotographyPhotography

• Photograph outside with distance and close Photograph outside with distance and close up views of all access pointsup views of all access points

• Room shots show 4 corner views Room shots show 4 corner views

• Distance and close up photos of evidenceDistance and close up photos of evidence

©Kathy Mirakovits, FSEC 8

Rough Draft and Final Rough Draft and Final CS SketchCS Sketch

A ROUGH DRAFT A FINAL SKETCH

©Kathy Mirakovits, FSEC 9

Student Final Sketch Student Final Sketch ChecklistChecklist

Location-AddressLocation-Address NN Case #Case #

Date / Time (of report)Date / Time (of report) Officer ____Officer ____

Type of CrimeType of Crime Asst. By ____Asst. By ____

Scale ¼ in. = 1 foot (1 square = 1 foot)Scale ¼ in. = 1 foot (1 square = 1 foot) Key to Key to EvidenceEvidence

©Kathy Mirakovits, FSEC 10

Crime Scene 1Crime Scene 1 Keep It Simple.Keep It Simple. Goal 1: What is Evidence?Goal 1: What is Evidence? Goal 2: practice sketching.Goal 2: practice sketching.