August 12, 2013

Forensic Scientists

Crime-scene investigators (police) arrive to find, collect, protect, and transport evidence.

(More on this later!)What

happens after a

crime is committed?

Crime-scene investigators (police) arrive to find, collect, protect, and transport evidence.

(More on this later!)

Most often, the CSI will call in various experts to analyze different types of evidence.

(Unlike TV where the lead investigator does nearly everything)

What happens

after a crime is

committed?

A physician with special training in pathology (disease)

Collects and analyzes evidence from the victim’s body (living or dead) and determines cause of death

Forensic Pathologists

A physician with special training in pathology (disease)

Collects and analyzes evidence from the victim’s body (living or dead) and determines cause of death

Other responsibilities: Reviews medical history Reviews witness statements Performs autopsy Collects evidence (toxicology, microscopic

examination of organs, DNA analysis, etc.) Writes a report, include an official cause of death Provides testimony in criminal court In complicated cases, a forensic pathologist may also

be asked to examine and photograph the crime scene himself.

Forensic Pathologists

Educational Requirements4 years Medical school4 years of post graduate work in

hospital 1 year of post graduate work in a

medical examiner’s office Many will undertake even more

training in special areas (e.g. toxicology, fire arms, etc.) and a few also obtain law degrees

Salary 70K – 200K

Forensic Pathologist

Education & Pay

Coroner, medical examiner, forensic pathologist … What’s the difference?

The person appointed by a county to perform autopsies and determine cause of death may be either a medical examiner or a coroner.

Medical Examiners

vsCoroners

The person appointed by a county to perform autopsies and determine cause of death may be either a medical examiner or a coroner.

Medical examiners MUST BE licensed forensic pathologists

Coroners MAY BE licensed forensic pathologists, or they may be doctors with a different specialty (e.g. obstetrics), or they may not even have any medical training at all.

Most counties have adopted the newer medical examiner system, but some rural areas still employ coroners.

Medical Examiners

vsCoroners

1) Match the name with the job description

Show me before you move on, then copy to your guided notes

2) Organize the jobs into groups – form 2 different job groupings, and jot down your results on your white boards

-- 10 minutes --

Other Specialties

Vocabulary Practice!

How did you divide up the jobs into different groups?

The forensic investigators (who study biological evidence) typically all require advanced degrees (MD or PhD).Salary: 50K – 100 K

The criminalists (who study physical evidence) usually require a bachelor’s degree in science, though sometimes former police officers without formal degrees train for these specialties.Salary: 40K – 80K

Education and Salary of other

specialties

Who can be an expert witness?

In any case involving a death, the forensic pathologist will testify

Experts in other specialties may also be called to testify

It is the judge who decides who is qualified to be considered an expert and what evidence they are allowed to present

Expert witnesses

and the law

Frye vs. United States (1923)“Frye Standard”: expert testimony must be based on “well-recognized scientific principle” that is “sufficiently established” and has obtained “general acceptance” in the scientific community

Legal precedent

for expert

witnesstestimony

Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical, Inc. (1993)

“Rule 702”Explicitly states that it is up to judge’s

discretion whether to allow testimonyOffered judges the following guidelines

for admissible techniques and theories subject to testing and peer review standardized known error ratesAttained widespread acceptance

Legal precedent

for expert

witnesstestimony

Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical, Inc. (1993)

“Rule 702”Explicitly states that it is up to judge’s

discretion whether to allow testimonyOffered judges the following guidelines

for admissible techniques and theories subject to testing and peer review standardized known error ratesAttained widespread acceptance

Legal precedent

for expert

witnesstestimony

What are the major differences between these

standards?

Stop & Jot

Expert witnesses are qualified before the jury What does this mean? Experts testify as to their education, experience, and other qualifications before presenting evidence.

Because they must explain complicated information, expert witnesses have much greater freedom in how they testify

What does this mean? They can narrate and explain, rather than just giving short answers to questions

Other rulesfor

expert witness

testimony

Read the article and complete the worksheet.

Stop at designated points for discussion!

CSI Effect

CSI effect worksheet if not completed in class

Forensic Scientist Quiz next class!

Homework

What were our objectives, and what did you learn?

What was our learner profile trait and how did we demonstrate it?

How did we address our unit statement of inquiry?

Closure

1. Identify 2 ways real forensics differs from TV

2. Who examines blood evidence?

3. Name one difference between a medical examiner and a coroner.

4. Who decides which expert testimony is admissable?

Exit Ticket