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The Forensic LaboratoryThe Forensic Laboratory

•• J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI in 1932 J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI in 1932 organized a national laboratory to organized a national laboratory to offer forensic services to all law offer forensic services to all law enforcement agencies in the country.enforcement agencies in the country.

•• This lab is now the worlds largest This lab is now the worlds largest forensic lab, performing over a forensic lab, performing over a million examinations per year..million examinations per year..

QuanticoQuantico

•• FBI Forensic Science Research and FBI Forensic Science Research and Training Center (c1981)Training Center (c1981)

•• Used as a model for forensics labs Used as a model for forensics labs formed at the state and local levels in formed at the state and local levels in the US and other countries.the US and other countries.

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LAPD LAPD

•• The oldest crime lab in the US. The oldest crime lab in the US. •• Created by August Vollmer in 1923.Created by August Vollmer in 1923.•• In 1930’s Vollmer headed the first US In 1930’s Vollmer headed the first US

University Institute for Criminology and University Institute for Criminology and Criminalistics at UC Berkley.Criminalistics at UC Berkley.

•• California was also the first state to California was also the first state to network all the labs and share network all the labs and share information and information and

United Kingdom LabsUnited Kingdom Labs

•• In the United Kingdom, forensic In the United Kingdom, forensic laboratories charge for their services as laboratories charge for their services as a means of fundinga means of funding

•• It is thought that there is a increase in It is thought that there is a increase in accountability and efficiency.accountability and efficiency.

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Organization of a Crime LabOrganization of a Crime Lab

1.1. Federal Level:Federal Level:FBI Federal Bureau of InvestigationFBI Federal Bureau of InvestigationDEA Drug Enforcement AgencyDEA Drug Enforcement AgencyATFATF Alcohol Tobacco and FirearmsAlcohol Tobacco and FirearmsUSPS United States Postal ServiceUSPS United States Postal Service

2. State Agencies 2. State Agencies –– each state has at least one each state has at least one forensic lab. Some states have a statewide forensic lab. Some states have a statewide network, while others use a regional network, while others use a regional system.system.

Organization cont’dOrganization cont’d

•• In addition to State labs there are about In addition to State labs there are about 320 private laboratories.320 private laboratories.

3. Municipal 3. Municipal –– these are usually these are usually independent of the state labs. Example independent of the state labs. Example NYC has their own forensic lab for NYC.NYC has their own forensic lab for NYC.

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Other CountriesOther Countries

•• Approximately 100 nations have at least one Approximately 100 nations have at least one forensic laboratory.forensic laboratory.

Canada Canada –– Has three laboratories as well as six Has three laboratories as well as six Royal Mounted Police laboratories. Canada Royal Mounted Police laboratories. Canada has two training facilities: Center for Forensic has two training facilities: Center for Forensic Sciences Sciences –– Toronto and Inst. of Legal Toronto and Inst. of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences Medicine and Forensic Sciences -- MontrealMontreal

Services of the Crime LabServices of the Crime Lab

There are a wide variety of services available, There are a wide variety of services available, the services offered varies from lab to lab.the services offered varies from lab to lab.

This is due to:This is due to:a. Variations on the lawsa. Variations on the lawsb. different capabilities and functions of the b. different capabilities and functions of the

organization heading up the lab. (ex: organization heading up the lab. (ex: DEA vs. FBI)DEA vs. FBI)

c. budgeting and staffing limitations.c. budgeting and staffing limitations.

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““Full Service” LaboratoryFull Service” Laboratory

1.1. Physical Science Unit Physical Science Unit –– applies physics, applies physics, chemistry, geology to the identification and chemistry, geology to the identification and comparison of crime scene evidence. comparison of crime scene evidence. (drugs, glass, paint, explosives and soil)(drugs, glass, paint, explosives and soil)

2.2. Biology Unit Biology Unit –– biologists and biochemists biologists and biochemists apply their knowledge to analysis of DNA, apply their knowledge to analysis of DNA, dried blood and other body fluids, dried blood and other body fluids, comparison of hair and fibers. comparison of hair and fibers.

Services cont’dServices cont’d

3.3. Firearms Unit (Ballistics) Firearms Unit (Ballistics) ––examination of: discharged bullets, examination of: discharged bullets, casings, shot gun shells and casings, shot gun shells and ammunition; Garments and other ammunition; Garments and other items for gun powder residue; items for gun powder residue; distance between the firearm and the distance between the firearm and the target; comparison of tool marks on target; comparison of tool marks on bullets and guns. bullets and guns.

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Services cont’dServices cont’d

4.4. Document Examinations Unit Document Examinations Unit ––comparison and examination of :comparison and examination of :

handwriting, typewriting, ink, handwriting, typewriting, ink, toner, paper, charred documents toner, paper, charred documents and/or erasures/obliterations.and/or erasures/obliterations.

Services cont’dServices cont’d

5.5. Photography Unit Photography Unit –– responsible for:responsible for:--examination and photographic examination and photographic record of the crime scene.record of the crime scene.--digital imaging and enhancement digital imaging and enhancement via UV and xvia UV and x--ray photography.ray photography.--preparation of photographic exhibits preparation of photographic exhibits for court.for court.

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Optional Service Optional Service

1.1. Toxicology Toxicology –– presence of drugs or presence of drugs or poisons in the body fluids or tissues.poisons in the body fluids or tissues.

2.2. Latent Finger Prints Unit Latent Finger Prints Unit –– responsible responsible for processing and examining for processing and examining evidence for fingerprints.evidence for fingerprints.

3.3. Polygraph Unit Polygraph Unit –– (lie detector test) can (lie detector test) can be offered at either the forensic lab or be offered at either the forensic lab or the police station.the police station.

Optional Services cont’dOptional Services cont’d

4.4. Voice Print Analysis Voice Print Analysis –– examination or examination or recorded evidence.recorded evidence.

•• This procedure may be able to identify This procedure may be able to identify the voice to a particular suspect.the voice to a particular suspect.

•• Spectrograph Spectrograph –– transforms speech into a transforms speech into a visible graphic display (voice print)visible graphic display (voice print)

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Optional Services cont’dOptional Services cont’d

5.5. Evidence Collection Unit Evidence Collection Unit ––specially trained personnel whose specially trained personnel whose primary function is to recognize, primary function is to recognize, collect and preserve physical evidence collect and preserve physical evidence at the crime scene.at the crime scene.

Functions of the Forensic Functions of the Forensic ScientistScientist

I.I. Analysis of Physical Evidence: any Analysis of Physical Evidence: any procedure used to analyze physical procedure used to analyze physical evidence must satisfy the criteria of evidence must satisfy the criteria of admissibility that has been established by admissibility that has been established by the courts.the courts.Frye standard Frye standard –– the court decides if a the court decides if a procedure isprocedure is-- 1. generally accepted and 2. 1. generally accepted and 2. accepted and considered relevant by the accepted and considered relevant by the scientific community.scientific community.

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Federal Rules of EvidenceFederal Rules of Evidence(rule 702)(rule 702)

1.1. Testimony is based on facts or data.Testimony is based on facts or data.2.2. Is a product of reliable principles and Is a product of reliable principles and

methods.methods.3.3. Applies the principles and methods to Applies the principles and methods to

the facts of the case.the facts of the case.

Rule 702 is applicable to state Rule 702 is applicable to state courts if:courts if:

1.1. The scientific technique or theory can be and has The scientific technique or theory can be and has been tested.been tested.

2.2. If the technique/theory has been subject to peer If the technique/theory has been subject to peer review and publication.review and publication.

3.3. The techniques potential rate of error is low.The techniques potential rate of error is low.4.4. Existence and maintenance of standards controlling Existence and maintenance of standards controlling

the techniques operation.the techniques operation.5.5. Whether the scientific theory/method has attracted Whether the scientific theory/method has attracted

widespread acceptance within the relevant widespread acceptance within the relevant scientific community.scientific community.

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Provision of Expert TestimonyProvision of Expert Testimony

1.1. Forensic scientist Forensic scientist –– may be called upon to may be called upon to testify regarding the methods and testify regarding the methods and conclusions at a trial hearing.conclusions at a trial hearing.

To be considered an expert witness: the To be considered an expert witness: the witness must provide his or her witness must provide his or her background: training, educational degrees, background: training, educational degrees, relevant experience, professional societies, relevant experience, professional societies, and publication of articles and papers. This and publication of articles and papers. This all determines the competency of the all determines the competency of the witness.witness.

•• The experts credentials are on trial to The experts credentials are on trial to allow the witness to give their allow the witness to give their professional opinion.professional opinion.

•• Any testimony given is opinion, based Any testimony given is opinion, based on a reasonable certainty based on on a reasonable certainty based on training and experience.training and experience.•• Expert witness is expected to defend the Expert witness is expected to defend the

tests in question.tests in question.

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Evidence Collection UnitEvidence Collection Unit

•• Personnel are specially trained to Personnel are specially trained to recognize, collect and preserve physical recognize, collect and preserve physical evidence.evidence.

•• These technicians retrieve evidence These technicians retrieve evidence from the crime scene.from the crime scene.

Other Forensic Science ServicesOther Forensic Science Services

•• Forensic Pathologist (Medical Examiner Forensic Pathologist (Medical Examiner or Coroner) or Coroner) –– This person is a medical This person is a medical doctor. doctor.

•• Responsibilities:Responsibilities:•• Autopsy Autopsy –– method of dissection to method of dissection to

determine the cause of death.determine the cause of death.5 categories: Natural, Accidental, Suicide, 5 categories: Natural, Accidental, Suicide, Homicide and Undetermined.Homicide and Undetermined.

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Determination of the time of death:Determination of the time of death:

The stages of decomposition are used toThe stages of decomposition are used to

determine the approximate time of deathdetermine the approximate time of death..1.1. RigormortisRigormortis-- immediately upon death the immediately upon death the

muscles relax, soon after they stiffen causing muscles relax, soon after they stiffen causing the body to become rigid. (lasts 24the body to become rigid. (lasts 24--36 hours).36 hours).

2.2. Livor Mortis Livor Mortis –– occurs when the blood settles to occurs when the blood settles to the lowest point, based on body position. This the lowest point, based on body position. This causes the tissues in that area to appear bluecauses the tissues in that area to appear blue--black to purple. Areas that were during black to purple. Areas that were during constricted livor mortis appear pale or bloodless. constricted livor mortis appear pale or bloodless.

3. Algor mortis 3. Algor mortis -- is the cooling of the body is the cooling of the body after death. Time of death can be calculated after death. Time of death can be calculated using the ambient room temperature and the using the ambient room temperature and the rate of heat loss from the body. Factors rate of heat loss from the body. Factors include: "size" of the body, clothing and include: "size" of the body, clothing and coverings, movement and humidity of the air, coverings, movement and humidity of the air, and immersion in water. “and immersion in water. “UUnder average nder average conditions the clothed body will cool in air at conditions the clothed body will cool in air at the rate of about 1.5the rate of about 1.5°°C an hour for the first 6 C an hour for the first 6 hours and average a loss of some 1hours and average a loss of some 1°°C for the C for the first 12 hours." This method is used to first 12 hours." This method is used to approximate time of death. approximate time of death.

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Forensic AnthropologistForensic AnthropologistForensic anthropology is the application of Forensic anthropology is the application of

physical or biological anthropology in a legal physical or biological anthropology in a legal context. context.

The majority of cases encountered by a forensic The majority of cases encountered by a forensic anthropologist involve the human skeleton. anthropologist involve the human skeleton. The routine activities of the forensic The routine activities of the forensic anthropologist extend to the examination of anthropologist extend to the examination of badly decomposed badly decomposed or severely damaged human bodies. Forensic or severely damaged human bodies. Forensic anthropologists are also called on in the anthropologists are also called on in the search andsearch andrecovery of human remains.recovery of human remains.

Forensic anthropology cont’dForensic anthropology cont’d

•• Through forensic anthropology the Through forensic anthropology the following may be identified using the following may be identified using the skeletal remains:skeletal remains:Origin, sex of the victim, approximate age, Origin, sex of the victim, approximate age,

race, height and possible skeletal injuries race, height and possible skeletal injuries or identifiers. or identifiers.

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Forensic EntomologyForensic Entomology

•• is the use of the insects, and their arthropod is the use of the insects, and their arthropod relatives that inhabit decomposing remains to relatives that inhabit decomposing remains to aid legal investigations. aid legal investigations.

•• Often insects can aid in determining the time Often insects can aid in determining the time of death.of death.

•• Insects can often be useful evidence for Insects can often be useful evidence for toxicologists to identify toxic substances from toxicologists to identify toxic substances from the remains.the remains.

Forensic PsychiatryForensic Psychiatry

•• Studies the relationship between human Studies the relationship between human behavior and legal proceedings.behavior and legal proceedings.

•• Evaluation of the competency of the Evaluation of the competency of the accused.accused.

•• Study of behavioral patterns Study of behavioral patterns -- criminal criminal behavior profile.behavior profile.

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Forensic OdontologyForensic Odontology

Is a doctor trained in dentistry with Is a doctor trained in dentistry with additional training in forensic dentistry. additional training in forensic dentistry.

•• Provide information about the identity Provide information about the identity of a victim when the body cannot be of a victim when the body cannot be identified.identified.

•• Match the characteristics and alignment Match the characteristics and alignment of teeth to a bite mark.of teeth to a bite mark.