Intro to Forensics Science

2013-2014

What is Forensic Science?

• Forensic Science is the study and application of science to matters of the law.

3 Major Avenues Available to Police Investigators in Solving a Crime

• Confessions• Some suspects may be coerced into confessions for fear of longer sentences

even though they are innocent

• Eyewitness Accounts by Victims or Witnesses• Eyewitness accounts vary considerably from person to person• Eyewitness accounts are unreliable and have led to the imprisonment of

many wrongfully convicted suspects» INNOCENCE PROJECT – Project with aim to free wrongfully convicted

• 87% of all wrongful convictions were a result of flawed eyewitness testimony

• Evaluation of Physical Evidence Retrieved From the Crime Scene• Only physical evidence is free of inherent error or bias• Relies on science

Scientific Method

• Science derives it’s integrity from adherence to guidelines and the scientific method

• Careful and systematic (orderly) collection, organization, and analysis of information/evidence

• The underlying principles provide a safety net to ensure that the outcome of an investigation is not tainted by human emotion or compromised by distorting, belittling, or ignoring contrary evidence

Functions of a Forensic Scientist• Find, examine, and evaluate evidence at a crime scene

• Observational skills are key!• Must observe whole crime scene

– Avoid tunnel vision– Collect all evidence and don’t jump to conclusions

• Use analytical skills to examine evidence and draw conclusions– ANALYTICAL SKILLS = the ability to identify a problem, isolate its

component parts, organize information for decision making, and evaluate information to draw conclusions

– Using DEDUCTIVE REASONING- using logic while studying all known facts to come to a conclusion

• Act as expert witnesses for prosecution or defense attorneys

What is Observation?

• Gathering Information about what is around us through our senses-sight, taste, hearing, smell and touch

What Effects Our Observations

• Our Brains do not pay attention to all information around us.• Perception- interpreting information received from our senses

– Our Perception is influenced by our emotions, state of mind, and prior experiences or knowledge

– Our Brain tries to “fill in the gaps” when we don’t have all the information and OUR PERCEPTION can skew information as it goes to our short term memory

• Short term memory – lasts only a short period of time– A few minutes to 24 hrs

• Long term memory – what is transferred to our memory bank for long periods– Days, weeks, months and yrs

Our ability to observe and remember can be heightened in certain circumstances.

• Example- 911 Attack• Most people can remember exactly where they were

and what they did on this day.

How To Be a Good Observation

• Pay attention to all the details of your surroundings

• Place personal opinions and beliefs aside• Rely on direct experience and knowledge

• Don’t jump to conclusions• Write down and photograph as much

information as possible• Memories are faulty

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