Download - In Preparing these slides
In Preparing these slidesI made a few assumptions:
• You have an interest in forensic science• You are a fan of forensic shows on TV• You follow criminal cases on TV, newspaper, or radio• You are considering a career in the legal, judicial, or
forensics field• You love reading mystery stories• You are simply curious by nature• And finally…you chose this class because you
thought it was cool…
The Evolution of Criminal Investigation
Understanding the history of forensics
Forensic Science• The word itself stems from the Latin
word forum, which simply means “law”• Forensic Science is simply the
application of scientific principles to law• However, forensics has not been accepted for
very long
1750• Henry Fielding – established the “Bow
Street Runners”• Fielding’s runners literally ran to a crime
scene to informally investigate the scene• The gathered information (much of it useless)
and reported it to anyone who cared• The gained the reputation and
acknowledgement as the first modern detective force
1829• British Parliament passed the Metropolitan Police
Act and created one of the first legally organized police forces
• This force was stationed at the world renowned Scotland Yard (the location of the modern London Police Department)
• The Scotland Yard was established and the force was selected by Sir Robert Peel• This accomplishment has earned Sir Peel as the
father of modern policing.
Scotland Yard• The department was headed by Sir
Peel, but two commissioners were chosen: Sir Charles Rowan and Sir Richard Mayne
• The department made up of several officers, office staff, and the administration occupied 4 Whitehall Place which opened up to the famous Scotland Yard
1857• The New York Police Department
organized a picture gallery of known criminals – Rogues Gallery
• Photos lined the walls like an art gallery so the public would know criminals identities
• Pictures were arranged first by height, and then by criminal specialty
1883• Alphonse Bertillon – established a
method of identifying criminals• Taking various body measurements to
establish a profile of a criminal• This system was very inaccurate and was
abandoned at the advent of dactylography (the study of fingerprints)
1900• Francis Galton – wrote the book
Fingerprints after extensive research finding solitary identity in a fingerprint
• In 1900, the Henry System was accepted and used as a system of criminal investigation
Homework Assignment• Do some research and write a ½ page
summary of the Henry System used in fingerprinting• Be sure to explain why the system is no
longer used
1908• The United States Congress passed a
bill enacting an investigative entity • The Federal Bureau of Investigation was
established under its original name of Bureau of Investigation (name changed in 1924)
1987• The discovery and mapping of DNA
was a huge milestone for Forensics• You all know the individuality and
importance of DNA• DNA profiling was first used in a case
in 1988, but was still considered new and controversial
CAREERS IN FORENSIC SCIENCE
Becoming a Professional
What does it take?• Most, but not all require at least a
bachelor's degree• Recommended majors: Chemistry, Biology,
Physics, or Criminal Justice…unless specialized
• A lot of “on-call” time…you never know when a criminal might strike
Forensic Toxicologist• Must hold at least a master’s
degree in forensic toxicology
• Ph.D. preferred• Detect toxic substances in
the bodies being investigated
• Seek employment in:• Crime laboratories • Medical Examiners Offices • Police departments • Criminal defense and
prosecution attorneys • Hospital and Clinical
Chemistry Laboratories • Pharmaceutical Industry • High school science teachers
Crime Scene Investigator• Minimal 2 year
associates degree but bachelor’s degree preferred
• On-site training• Tasks vary from drug
identification to footprint examination to chemical identification
• Seek employment in:• Crime lab• Police/Sheriff departments• State/Federal Investigation
Offices
Forensic Nurse• Licensed Nurse or
Registered Nurse (LPN or RN)
• Specialized graduate degree or on-site training
• Examine rape victims, testify on behalf of medical examiner
• Seek employment in:• Hospital Emergency
Rooms• State Medical Examiner’s
Office• FBI
Forensic Odontologist • Doctor of Dentistry
required with specialization in forensic science
• Examine bite marks and dental molds to identify victims and suspects
• Seek Employment in :• Crime labs• State Offices• FBI• Medical Examiner’s Office
Document Examiner• Bachelors Degree
required• On-site training• Investigate forgery,
document originality, handwriting comparisons
• Seek Employment in:• Crime labs• Local law enforcement
offices• State/Federal
Investigations
Forensic Pathologist• Also known as medical
examiner• MD required, highly
specialized training and years of medical experience
• Perform autopsies and examine bodies involved in unexpected and violent deaths
• Seek employment with:• State Offices• Federal Bureau of
Investigation
Forensic Psychologist• Must have doctorate in
counseling or forensic psychologist and complete fellowship/internship in forensic psychology
• Determine the ability of a suspect or victim to mentally be able to withstand trial
• Seek employment in:• State and local agencies• Private practice
Forensic Anthropologist• Ph.D. required• Usually work in a
college or university• Identify bones and
bone structures
Forensic Chemist• Bachelor’s degree
or higher degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Toxicology, or Pharmacology
• Identify unknown substances, drug residue
• Work in crime labs or private labs
Forensic Entomologist• Ph.D. Required• Work in college or
university• Identify time of
death based on presence of insects and other organisms
Dactylographer• 2 year associates
degree or higher• On-site training• Identify suspects
based on latent prints
• Work in:• Private labs• Crime labs• Local
departments/offices
Serologist• Bachelor’s degree
with coursework in biochemistry, statistics, genetics, & molecular biology
• Identify and examine body fluids
• Work in:• Crime labs• Private labs