18 Questions
What is the primary role of an expert witness in a criminal trial?
To provide testimony based on their specialized knowledge and experience that the court lacks
What is the Frye standard for the admissibility of scientific evidence?
The scientific technique or method must be generally accepted in the relevant scientific community
Which of the following is NOT one of the Daubert criteria for the admissibility of scientific evidence?
The theory or technique must be generally accepted in the relevant scientific community
Which of the following is a key difference between the Frye standard and the Daubert criteria for the admissibility of scientific evidence?
The Frye standard requires general acceptance in the relevant scientific community, while the Daubert criteria do not
What is the primary purpose of the scientific method in the analysis of physical evidence?
To validate the reliability and accuracy of the techniques used to analyze the evidence
Which of the following is a key function of a forensic scientist in a criminal investigation?
To provide expert testimony in court about the significance of the physical evidence
Why must an expert witness appear in person to provide testimony in court?
To allow the defense an opportunity for cross-examination
What is the purpose of training evidence technicians?
To ensure all pertinent evidence is recognized and collected properly
Which of the following is NOT one of the special forensic science services mentioned in the text?
Forensic anthropology
What is the primary concern of forensic odontology?
Identifying victims using dental records
Which of the following areas does forensic engineering NOT cover?
Ballistic analysis of firearms
What is the primary focus of forensic computer and digital analysis?
Examining digital evidence for legal proceedings
What was the standard for admitting scientific evidence into court prior to the Daubert case?
The Frye standard
According to the Daubert case, who is ultimately responsible for determining the admissibility and validity of scientific evidence in court?
The trial judges
Which of the following is NOT one of the guidelines offered by the Supreme Court in Daubert for gauging the reliability of scientific evidence?
The cost-effectiveness of the scientific method
In what case did the Supreme Court determine that the judge acts as a 'gatekeeper' not only for scientific testimony, but for any expert testimony?
Kumho Tire Co. Ltd. v. Carmichael
What did the Frye standard require for scientific evidence to be admissible in court?
That the evidence be 'generally accepted' by the scientific community
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as one of the guidelines from Daubert for evaluating scientific evidence?
The qualifications and experience of the expert witness
Study Notes
Crime Laboratory Units
- Document examination unit provides skills for handwriting analysis, obliterations, erasures, and burnt documents
- Photography unit applies specialized techniques for recording and examining physical evidence
Optional Services by Full-Service Labs
- Toxicology unit examines body fluids and organs for drugs and poisons
- Latent fingerprint unit processes and examines evidence for latent fingerprints
- Polygraph unit conducts polygraph tests
- Voiceprint analysis unit links recorded voices to suspects
- Crime-scene investigation unit collects and preserves physical evidence at crime scenes
Functions of a Forensic Scientist
- A forensic scientist must apply principles and techniques of physical and natural sciences to analyze evidence
- Analyzing physical evidence requires using the scientific method: formulate a question, formulate a hypothesis, test the hypothesis, and validate the hypothesis
- A forensic scientist may also provide expert court testimony
Expert Witness and Evidence Admissibility
- An expert witness is an individual with knowledge relevant to the trial that is not expected of the average person
- The expert witness evaluates evidence based on specialized training and experience
- Evidence admissibility is determined by the Frye standard, which requires that an expert witness must appear in person to provide testimony
Evidence Collection Training
- Crime laboratories have "evidence technicians" trained for evidence collection at crime scenes
- Training ensures all pertinent evidence is recognized and collected properly
Special Forensic Science Services
- Forensic psychiatry examines the relationship between human behavior and legal proceedings
- Forensic odontology uses teeth to provide information about victim identification and investigates bite marks
- Forensic engineering is concerned with failure analysis, accident reconstruction, and causes of fires or explosions
- Forensic computer and digital analysis involves the identification, collection, preservation, and examination of digital evidence
Evidence Admissibility: The Frye Standard and Daubert Criteria
- The Frye standard requires that evidence must be "generally accepted" by the scientific community
- The Daubert criteria provide guidelines for judging the reliability of scientific evidence: testability, peer review, potential rate of error, and widespread acceptance
- Trial judges are ultimately responsible for determining the admissibility and validity of scientific evidence and expert testimony
Explore the origins of the Frye standard and its significance in determining the admissibility of scientific evidence in the U.S. courtroom. Learn about the 1993 Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical, Inc case and the U.S. Supreme Court's perspective on the admissibility of scientific evidence.
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