Forensic Science PDF

ETYMOLOGY OF FORENSIC SCIENCE Forensic – derived from the Latin word “Forensis” which means forum (or before the forum) Science – “Scientia”, a systematized body of knowledge tested and proven by human experience Forensic Science – can defined as “the scientific investigation into matters pertaining...

ETYMOLOGY OF FORENSIC SCIENCE Forensic – derived from the Latin word “Forensis” which means forum (or before the forum) Science – “Scientia”, a systematized body of knowledge tested and proven by human experience Forensic Science – can defined as “the scientific investigation into matters pertaining to law in the course of a crime” The application of scientific principles and techniques to matters of criminal justice especially as relating to the collection, examination, and analysis of physical evidence. It is an applied science and is often called “criminalistics” It applies the principles of various sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.) to civil and criminal law. Criminalistics – can be defined as the application of scientific methods to the recognition, collection, identification, and comparison of physical evidence generated by criminal or illegal civil activity. It also involves the reconstruction of such events by evaluation of the physical evidence and the crime scene. Criminal Justice System – a system charged with direct responsibility for the prevention, reduction, and control of crime; the system or process in the community by which crimes are investigated, and the person suspected thereof is taken into custody, prosecuted in court, and punished if found guilty by provisions being made for their correction and rehabilitation PERSONALITIES WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF FORENSIC SCIENCE: 1. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - popularized the first detective story, Sherlock Holmes 2. Mathieu Orfila - Father of Modern Forensic Toxicology 3. Alphonse Bertillon - known for his Anthropometry 4. Francis Galton - introduced the fingerprint classification 5. Calvin H. Goddard - Father of Ballistics 6. Albert S. Osborn - Father of the science of Questioned Document Examination 7. Hans Gross – Father of Criminalistics 8. Edmond Locard – Father of Forensic Science PRINCIPLES OF FORENSIC SCIENCE  1. Law of Individuality – “Every object whether natural or man-made has a unique quality or characteristics in it which is not duplicated in any other object”. 2. Law of Progressive Change – “Everything changes with the passage of time.” 3. Principle of Comparison – “Only the likes can be compared.” 4. Principle of Analysis – “There can be no better analysis than the sample analyzed.” 5. Law of Probability – “All identifications, definite or indefinite, made consciously or unconsciously, are on the basis of probability.” 6. Law of Circumstantial Facts (Principle of Linkage) – “Facts do not lie, men can and do.” “People lie; evidence doesn’t.” 7. Locard’s Principle of Exchange – “Every contact leaves a trace.” MISCONCEPTIONS IN FORENSIC SCIENCE The “CSI Effect” The term was coined in 2004 in a US Weekly report. This refers to the “phenomenon resulting from viewing forensic and crime-based television shows.” It is frequently observed in a jury, influencing their decisions during the conviction or acquittal process. What do they expect about forensic science? Forensic science is foolproof Demands more forensic evidence Leads to bias judgments Misinterpretation of forensic evidence ROLES OF THE FORENSIC SCIENTIST Perform scientific studies or analysis on evidence. Interpret the results of the analysis on the evidence. Conduct scientific research. Become an expert witness The Forensic Scientist does NOT: Question witness/es Go after/catch the suspect/s Interrogate suspect/s