Forensic Science Bell-Ringer (On a piece of Paper to be turned in by the end of class.), with your name, date and period. What famous case in California (1991) made forensic science a household name, and projected Criminalistics forward as a recognized and legitimate field in Science? Why did the suspect win the criminal case but lose the civil case? (Hint: Blood Evidence).
Forensic Science Definition and Scope of Forensic Science
Forensic Science is defined as the application of science to law. Forensics applies knowledge and technology of science for the definition and enforcement of laws. Therefore Forensic science is the application of science to those criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system.
What are the sciences involved in Forensic Science? Chemistry Biology Physics Geology Physiology Just to name a few!
History and Development of Forensic Science. Many persons believe that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had a huge influence in the creation of Forensics with his fictional character Sherlock Homes. It was homes who first applied the newly developing principles of serology, fingerprinting, forearm identification and questioned documents long before real criminal investigators.
Who is responsible for the creation of modern Forensic Science? The following is just a brief list of those who have made the earliest contributions to the disciplines that now make up Forensic Science.
Mathieu Orfila (1787-1853) Considered the Father of Forensic Toxicology. Teacher of Medicine in Spain In 1814, Orfila published the first paper on the detection of poisons and their effects on animals. This established Forensic Toxicology as a legitimate scientific endeavor.
Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914) Provided the first system of personal identification. Developed the science of Anthropometry. Considered accurate at the time Anthropometry was eventually replaced by fingerprinting in the 1900 s, Bertillon s early efforts have earned him the distinction as the father of criminal identification.
Francis Galton (1822-1911) Undertook the first definitive study of fingerprints and developed a methodology of classifying them for filing. In 1892, he published the book, Finger Prints, which contained the first statistical proof of supporting the uniqueness of his method of personal identification. His work went on to describe the basic principles that form the present system of identification by fingerprints.
Leone Lattes (1887-1954) In 1901, Dr. Karl Landsteiner discovered the blood can be grouped into different categories. These blood groups are known as A, B, AB. And O. Dr Lattes intrigued by Dr. Landsteiners discovery and its realization that these groups could be used for identification, assisted in the creation of a simple blood test. This test help identify blood groups from dried blood specimens, which was immediately applied to Criminalistics.
Calvin Goddard (1891-1955) A U.S. Army Officer Refined a technique that allowed the comparrision of a suspects bullet to a known bullet. The technique utilized the comparrison microscope. Goddard s contribution established the comparrison microscope as a indispensable tool of modern firarm examiners.
Albert S. Osborn (1858-1946) Developed the fundamental principles of document examination. Osborn s procedures allowed documents to be admitted into courts as evidence. In 1910, Osborn authored the first signifigant text, Questioned Documents. This book is still considered the primary reference for document examiners.
Walter C. McCrone (1916-2002) McCrone became the worlds leading Microscopist. Dr. McCrone was an advocate for the use of Microscopes to Forensic Cases. As a teacher he taught thousands of Forensic Scientists. Has evaluated thousands of pieces of Forensic Evidence in his career.
Hans Gross (1847-1915) The first paper written that concerted scientific applications to forensics was written by Hans Gross. Public Prosecutor and Judge in Austria. Published several book, 1: Criminal Investigation and 2: Criminal Anthropology and Criminalistics.
Edmond Locard (1877-1966) Created the first Crime Laboratory in Lyons, France 1910. Eventually he became the founder and director of the Institutes of Criminalistics at the University of Lyons which turned into the leading international school for Forensic Scientists. His other Contributions
Locard s Exchange Principle Locard strongly believed that every criminal can be connected to a crime by dust particles carried from the crime scene. The formal definition: The exchange of materials between two objects that occurs whenever two objects come into contact with one another.
Back in the United States In 1932, J. Edgar Hoover organized the national laboratory, that aimed to offer forensic services to all law enforcement agencies in the country. The FBI is now the largest Forensic laboratory in the world. In 1981, the FBI created a Forensic Research and Training Center, dedicated to the development of new technologies to assist in the Forensic investigative process.
In California The oldest crime lab in the United States is that of the Los Angeles Police Department in 1923. Founded by August Vollmer. August Vollmer s work eventually created the Collage of Criminalistics at University of California @ Berkley in 1948.
Thank you for your attention! I hope you took notes
For Next Time! Please refer to the plan of the week for you homework assignment due tomorrow!