Forensic ScienceForensic ScienceDefinition and Scope of ForensicDefinition and Scope of Forensic

ScienceScience

Forensic Science is defined as theForensic Science is defined as theapplication of science to law.application of science to law.

Forensics applies knowledge andForensics applies knowledge andtechnology of science for the definitiontechnology of science for the definitionand enforcement of laws.and enforcement of laws.

ThereforeTherefore…… Forensic science is the application ofForensic science is the application of

science to those criminal and civil lawsscience to those criminal and civil lawsthat are enforced by police agencies in athat are enforced by police agencies in acriminal justice system.criminal justice system.

What are the sciences involved inWhat are the sciences involved inForensic Science?Forensic Science?

ChemistryChemistry BiologyBiology PhysicsPhysics GeologyGeology PhysiologyPhysiology ……Just to name a few!Just to name a few!

History and Development ofHistory and Development ofForensic Science.Forensic Science.

Many persons believe that Many persons believe that Sir ArthurSir ArthurConanConan DoyleDoyle had a huge influence in the had a huge influence in thecreation of Forensics with his fictionalcreation of Forensics with his fictionalcharacter Sherlock Homes.character Sherlock Homes.

It was homes who first applied the newlyIt was homes who first applied the newlydeveloping principles of serology,developing principles of serology,fingerprinting, forearm identification andfingerprinting, forearm identification andquestioned documents long before realquestioned documents long before realcriminal investigators.criminal investigators.

Who is responsible for the creationWho is responsible for the creationof modern Forensic Science?of modern Forensic Science?

The following is just a brief list of thoseThe following is just a brief list of thosewho have made the earliest contributionswho have made the earliest contributionsto the disciplines that now make upto the disciplines that now make upForensic Science.Forensic Science.

Mathieu Orfila (1787-1853)Mathieu Orfila (1787-1853)

Considered the Father of ForensicConsidered the Father of ForensicToxicology.Toxicology.

Teacher of Medicine in SpainTeacher of Medicine in Spain In 1814, Orfila published the first paper onIn 1814, Orfila published the first paper on

the detection of poisons and their effectsthe detection of poisons and their effectson animals.on animals.

This established Forensic Toxicology as aThis established Forensic Toxicology as alegitimate scientific endeavor.legitimate scientific endeavor.

Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914)Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914)

Provided the first system of personalProvided the first system of personalidentification.identification.

Developed the science of Anthropometry.Developed the science of Anthropometry. Considered accurate at the timeConsidered accurate at the time

Anthropometry was eventually replaced byAnthropometry was eventually replaced byfingerprinting in the 1900fingerprinting in the 1900’’s, Bertillons, Bertillon’’ssearly efforts have earned him theearly efforts have earned him thedistinction as the father of criminaldistinction as the father of criminalidentification.identification.

Francis Galton (1822-1911)Francis Galton (1822-1911)

Undertook the first definitive study ofUndertook the first definitive study offingerprints and developed a methodology offingerprints and developed a methodology ofclassifying them for filing.classifying them for filing.

In 1892, he published the book, In 1892, he published the book, Finger Prints,Finger Prints,which contained the first statistical proof ofwhich contained the first statistical proof ofsupporting the uniqueness of his method ofsupporting the uniqueness of his method ofpersonal identification. His work went on topersonal identification. His work went on todescribe the basic principles that form thedescribe the basic principles that form thepresent system of identification by fingerprints.present system of identification by fingerprints.

Leone Lattes (1887-1954)Leone Lattes (1887-1954) In 1901, Dr. Karl Landsteiner discovered theIn 1901, Dr. Karl Landsteiner discovered the

blood can be grouped into different categories.blood can be grouped into different categories. These blood groups are known as A, B, AB. AndThese blood groups are known as A, B, AB. And

O.O. Dr Lattes intrigued by Dr. Landsteiners discoveryDr Lattes intrigued by Dr. Landsteiners discovery

and its realization that these groups could beand its realization that these groups could beused for identification, assisted in the creation ofused for identification, assisted in the creation ofa simple blood test.a simple blood test.

This test help identify blood groups from driedThis test help identify blood groups from driedblood specimens, which was immediately appliedblood specimens, which was immediately appliedto Criminalistics.to Criminalistics.

Calvin Goddard (1891-1955)Calvin Goddard (1891-1955)

A U.S. Army OfficerA U.S. Army Officer Refined a technique that allowed theRefined a technique that allowed the

comparrision of a suspects bullet to a knowncomparrision of a suspects bullet to a knownbullet.bullet.

The technique utilized the comparrisonThe technique utilized the comparrisonmicroscope.microscope.

GoddardGoddard’’s contribution established thes contribution established thecomparrison microscope as a indispensable toolcomparrison microscope as a indispensable toolof modern firarm examiners.of modern firarm examiners.

Albert S. Osborn (1858-1946)Albert S. Osborn (1858-1946)

Developed the fundamental principles ofDeveloped the fundamental principles ofdocument examination.document examination.

OsbornOsborn’’s procedures allowed documentss procedures allowed documentsto be admitted into courts as evidence.to be admitted into courts as evidence.

In 1910, Osborn authored the firstIn 1910, Osborn authored the firstsignifigant text, signifigant text, Questioned Documents.Questioned Documents.

This book is still considered the primaryThis book is still considered the primaryreference for document examiners.reference for document examiners.

Walter C. McCrone (1916-2002)Walter C. McCrone (1916-2002)

McCrone became the worlds leadingMcCrone became the worlds leadingMicroscopist.Microscopist.

Dr. McCrone was an advocate for the useDr. McCrone was an advocate for the useof Microscopes to Forensic Cases.of Microscopes to Forensic Cases.

As a teacher he taught thousands ofAs a teacher he taught thousands ofForensic Scientists.Forensic Scientists.

Has evaluated thousands of pieces ofHas evaluated thousands of pieces ofForensic Evidence in his career.Forensic Evidence in his career.

Hans Gross (1847-1915)Hans Gross (1847-1915)

The first paper written that concertedThe first paper written that concertedscientific applications to forensics wasscientific applications to forensics waswritten by Hans Gross.written by Hans Gross.

Public Prosecutor and Judge in Austria.Public Prosecutor and Judge in Austria. Published several book, 1: CriminalPublished several book, 1: Criminal

Investigation and 2: Criminal AnthropologyInvestigation and 2: Criminal Anthropologyand Criminalistics.and Criminalistics.

Edmond Locard (1877-1966)Edmond Locard (1877-1966)

Created the first Crime Laboratory inCreated the first Crime Laboratory inLyons, FranceLyons, France……1910.1910.

Eventually he became the founder andEventually he became the founder anddirector of the Institutes of Criminalisticsdirector of the Institutes of Criminalisticsat the University of Lyonsat the University of Lyons……which turnedwhich turnedinto the leading international school forinto the leading international school forForensic Scientists.Forensic Scientists.

His other ContributionsHis other Contributions……

LocardLocard’’s Exchange Principles Exchange Principle

Locard strongly believed that everyLocard strongly believed that everycriminal can be connected to a crime bycriminal can be connected to a crime bydust particles carried from the crimedust particles carried from the crimescene.scene.

The formal definition: The exchange ofThe formal definition: The exchange ofmaterials between two objects that occursmaterials between two objects that occurswhenever two objects come into contactwhenever two objects come into contactwith one another.with one another.

Back in the United StatesBack in the United States

In 1932, J. Edgar Hoover organized the nationalIn 1932, J. Edgar Hoover organized the nationallaboratory, that aimed to offer forensic serviceslaboratory, that aimed to offer forensic servicesto all law enforcement agencies in the country.to all law enforcement agencies in the country.

The FBI is now the largest Forensic laboratory inThe FBI is now the largest Forensic laboratory inthe world.the world.

In 1981, the FBI created a Forensic ResearchIn 1981, the FBI created a Forensic Researchand Training Center, dedicated to theand Training Center, dedicated to thedevelopment of new technologies to assist indevelopment of new technologies to assist inthe Forensic investigative process.the Forensic investigative process.

In CaliforniaIn California

The oldest crime lab in the United StatesThe oldest crime lab in the United Statesis that of the Los Angeles Policeis that of the Los Angeles PoliceDepartment in 1923.Department in 1923.

Founded by August Vollmer.Founded by August Vollmer. August VollmerAugust Vollmer’’s work eventually createds work eventually created

the Collage of Criminalistics at Universitythe Collage of Criminalistics at Universityof California @ Berkley in 1948.of California @ Berkley in 1948.

Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!I hope you took notesI hope you took notes

For Next Time!For Next Time!

Please refer to the plan of the week forPlease refer to the plan of the week foryou homework assignmentyou homework assignment……duedue

tomorrow!tomorrow!