Criminalistics - An Introduction to Forensic Science Part 1

Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science Chapter 1 Introduction Definition (1 of 2) • In its broadest definition, forensic science is the application of science to criminal and civil laws. • The subject matter of this book emphasizes the application of science to those criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system. Figure 1–1: A Scene from CSI, a Forensic Science Television Show Definition (2 of 2) • Forensic science owes its origins to individuals such as Orfila, Bertillon, Galton, Lattes, Goddard, Osborn, and Locard, who developed the principles and techniques needed to identify or compare physical evidence. Creating a Historical Timeline THE ASSIGNMENT: FORENSIC SCIENCE HISTORIC TIMELINE PROJECT- Students in groups of 3 will create a timeline on poster paper. Your timeline must include a minimum of 10 historic events. The events you choose should have some significance to the course we are studying here today. As a group you should be able to explain the event and its significance. CONTENT/FACTS THAT MUST BE INCLUDED ● ● ● ● ● Approximate year of contribution (you might get conflicting dates online, but check with me to see if you are on the right track) Leading person, persons, or other What country and or city/state What was the contribution to forensic science? How did it change the course of forensic history? Details of the contribution for presentation, does not have to be present on the poster. For example, if the contribution was toxicology, you would ● ● ● Explain what toxicology is Briefly tell about a case study in which toxicology was used to solve Summarize how the discovery was made. Include interesting facts to help us all remember this contribution GRAPHICS/MEDIA ● ● Include 3 different graphics that connect contribution, person(s), and country contribution was made Construct or bring in an item/product that represents the discovery. Ex) If the contribution was made in entomology, you could bring in a plastic, fake bug or a real one! ARRANGEMENT OF THE INFORMATION SHOULD FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES: ● ● ● ● YEAR at the top Person or People underneath the year Contribution underneath that Pictures/visual aids wherever you like History (1 of 5) • Mathieu Orfila – The father of forensic toxicology. • Alphonse Bertillion – Devised the first scientific system of personal identification in 1879. Figure 1–3: Bertillon’s System of Bodily Measurements as Used for the Identification of an Individual History (2 of 5) • Francis Galton – Conducted the first definitive study of fingerprints and their classification. • Leone Lattes – Developed a procedure to determine blood type from dried bloodstains. History (3 of 5) • Calvin Goddard – Refined the technique of determining if a particular gun fired a bullet by using the comparison microscope. • Albert Osborn – Developed the fundamental principles of document examination. History (4 of 5) • Walter McCrone – Advanced the field of microscopy and its application to examining evidence. • Hans Gross – Wrote the first treatise describing the application of scientific principles to the field of criminal investigation. History (5 of 5) • Edmond Locard – Incorporated Gross’ principles within a workable crime laboratory. • Locard’s Exchange Principle – States that when a person comes in contact with an object or another person, a cross-transfer of materials occurs. – Every contact leaves a trace.