Forensic Science History and Careers

Forensic Science History and Careers

• Forensic science uses scientific methods to solve legal issues.
• A forensic science investigator focuses on collecting evidence, examining it, reporting results to law enforcement, and testifying in court.
• Forensic examiners document and determine the significance of evidence.
• Forensic scientists collect, document, and decide what evidence needs to be collected.
• Evidence collection includes gathering qualitative and quantitative data.
• Forensic scientists must be strong communicators to convince juries.
• Both forensic scientists and police officers have analytical skills like isolating problems and drawing conclusions.

Significant Events

• 1967: Paul Ekman identified facial microexpressions linked to emotions and nonverbal communication.
• 1974: Elizabeth Loftus explored misinformation and its impact on false memories.
• 2012: Scott Fraser described the fallibility of memory reconstruction.
• 2014: Pamela Meyer's work focused on detecting deception.
• 2016: Modified interrogation techniques for witnesses and suspects.

Observation and Perception

• Perception is when a person uses their senses to understand their surroundings.
• Instead of continuous data input, the brain filters information; meaningful information.
• Perception of sensory observations is processed internally.
• Perception depends on sensory input and internal processes; it might be inaccurate.
• Eyewitness memory is not always accurate.
• Anxiety, prejudices, and personal beliefs can impact eyewitness accounts.
• Eyewitness accounts can differ greatly, vary widely, and are less reliable over time.
• Forensic investigators distinguish between facts and opinions.

Improving Observation Skills

• Naturally, people tend to focus on what they expect as important or filter out apparently unimportant information.
• Training helps people to systematically observe, document, and consider a broad range of evidence.
• People generally interpret patterns in observations even with incomplete evidence.
• Observation and documentation of images and notes are helpful.

Forensic Science Timeline

• 250 BCE: Erasistratus observed increased patient pulse rates before death.
• 1247: Sung Tzu's book explored medical knowledge for investigations of death.
• 1840: Mathieu Orfila applied the Marsh test for arsenic detection.
• 1883: Alphonse Bertillon created anthropometry (body measurements) for identifying criminals.
• 1892: Sir Francis Galton classified fingerprints.
• 1910: Edmond Locard established the first forensic lab, outlining the Locard exchange principle.
• 1920s: Luke Way published on identifying tools and instruments from evidence.

Careers in Forensic Science

• 1937: Walter Specht developed luminol for blood detection.
• 1950: Max Frei-Sulzer used tape for lifting trace evidence.
• 1974: Gunshot residue methods were developed.
• 1984: Sir Alec Jeffreys developed DNA fingerprinting/profiling.
• Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) analyze, collect, and document evidence.

Trace Evidence and Examinations

• Trace evidence examiners compare physical evidence like hair, fibers, and blood.
• Latent print examiners lift and analyze fingerprints.
• Forensic serologists/biologists handle biologicals like blood and bodily fluids.
• Forensic toxicologists identify drugs and poisons.
• Questioned document examiners analyze documents for authenticity.

Other Forensic Specialists

• Firearm examiners analyze firearms and ammunition.
• Forensic entomologists study insects to estimate time of death.
• Forensic computer scientists examine digital evidence.
• Forensic engineers analyze accidents, fires, and explosions.
• Forensic odontologists use dental records for identification.
• Forensic pathologists determine cause and time of death through autopsies.
• Criminologists study criminal behavior.

Forensic Science and Ethics

• Evidence presented in court is vital for decisions.
• The American Academy of Forensic Sciences establishes an ethical code.
• Ethical concerns in forensic investigations are important.
• The Annie Dookhan case highlights ethical issues in forensic science.