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Questions and Answers
What is forensic science?
What is forensic science?
- The evaluation of physical evidence using social sciences
- The application of the natural sciences to matters of the law (correct)
- The study of criminal behavior and psychology
- The analysis of biological evidence in crime scenes
What is criminalistics?
What is criminalistics?
- The profession and scientific discipline directed to the recognition, identification, individualization, and evaluation of physical evidence (correct)
- The analysis of digital evidence in criminal cases
- The application of social sciences to law enforcement
- The study of criminal motives and intentions
What do professional organizations such as NEAFS and AAFS provide?
What do professional organizations such as NEAFS and AAFS provide?
- Training programs for aspiring forensic scientists
- Networking events for forensic science students
- Opportunities for attending annual meetings and staying updated on forensic science advancements (correct)
- Legal advice for forensic science practitioners
What is the scientific method primarily focused on?
What is the scientific method primarily focused on?
What is the Locard Exchange Principle?
What is the Locard Exchange Principle?
What is the role of the judge in the admissibility of scientific and technical expert testimony in court, as per the Daubert guidelines?
What is the role of the judge in the admissibility of scientific and technical expert testimony in court, as per the Daubert guidelines?
Which branch of forensic science involves the study of human remains to solve criminal cases?
Which branch of forensic science involves the study of human remains to solve criminal cases?
What is one of the professional issues in forensic science mentioned in the text?
What is one of the professional issues in forensic science mentioned in the text?
In which century did the history of forensic science have its early use of fingerprints?
In which century did the history of forensic science have its early use of fingerprints?
What is emphasized in significant legal cases in forensic science, such as Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals?
What is emphasized in significant legal cases in forensic science, such as Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals?
What is the purpose of marking physical evidence at a crime scene?
What is the purpose of marking physical evidence at a crime scene?
What type of evidence can physical evidence reveal?
What type of evidence can physical evidence reveal?
What should be done to protect the integrity of physical evidence during transportation and storage?
What should be done to protect the integrity of physical evidence during transportation and storage?
What is the first step in the general crime scene procedure guidelines for recognition of physical evidence?
What is the first step in the general crime scene procedure guidelines for recognition of physical evidence?
What is the purpose of forensic analysis of physical evidence?
What is the purpose of forensic analysis of physical evidence?
Why is careful observation required during recognition of physical evidence at a crime scene?
Why is careful observation required during recognition of physical evidence at a crime scene?
What should be done by responding officers at a crime scene to protect the area?
What should be done by responding officers at a crime scene to protect the area?
What determines the extent of information obtainable and conclusions drawn in forensic analysis of physical evidence?
What determines the extent of information obtainable and conclusions drawn in forensic analysis of physical evidence?
Why is statistical comparison mentioned in relation to forensic analysis of physical evidence?
Why is statistical comparison mentioned in relation to forensic analysis of physical evidence?
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Study Notes
Forensic Science and its Role in the Legal System
- Forensic science is a set of rules that governs human behavior to facilitate societal harmony and includes criminal codes, civil codes, and fact-finding approaches used by scientists and lawyers in an adversarial system.
- Branches of forensic science include criminalistics, forensic medicine, forensic odontology, forensic anthropology, forensic toxicology, questioned documents examination, firearm and toolmark analysis, and fingerprint examination.
- The history of forensic science dates back to the 700s, with early use of fingerprints, and has been popularized in fiction by authors like Edgar Allan Poe and A.C. Doyle.
- The Locard Exchange Principle, established by Edmond Locard, states that "every contact leaves a trace" and emphasizes the mutual exchange of material when two objects come into contact.
- In the U.S., the history of forensic science includes the establishment of crime labs, such as the FBI lab, Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and others.
- Forensic scientists play a crucial role in identifying physical evidence, making decisions about tests and analyses, and reconstructing past events based on physical evidence.
- Professional issues in forensic science include ethics, working with agents of the legal system, court testimony, quality assurance, and accreditation and certification for the forensic laboratory and scientists.
- Significant legal cases in forensic science, such as Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, have provided guidelines for the admissibility of scientific evidence in federal courts, emphasizing testability, standardized procedures, error rates, peer review, and acceptance by the scientific community.
- The judge acts as the gatekeeper for the admissibility of scientific and technical expert testimony in court, as per the Daubert guidelines.
- New legislation is pending in 2023 to reinforce the judge's role as the gatekeeper for the admissibility of scientific and technical expert testimony.
- The role of forensic science is to continuously and necessarily interact with the legal system, governing relations between individuals and groups and having unique objectives.
- Forensic science has evolved from scientific inquiry into legal concerns and has expanded to include various branches, labs, and a crucial role in the legal system.
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