Forensic Science Lecture Notes

General Information

• Title: EPISD Forensic Science
• Authors: Gabriel Caire, Priscilla Sano
• Resource Organization: CK-12 Foundation
• Mission: Reduce the cost of textbook materials for K-12 market
• Content License: Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0) License

Contents Overview

1. Unit 1: Safety and Scientific Method
2. Unit 2: Forensics Intro, History, & Careers
3. Unit 3: Basics of Law and Value of Evidence
4. Unit 4: Collection of Evidence & Crime Scene Investigation
5. Unit 5: Hair Evidence
6. Unit 6: Serology
7. Unit 7: Drugs & Toxicology
8. Unit 8: Fingerprint Analysis
9. Unit 9: Soil and Glass Analysis
10. Unit 10: Firearms and Tool Marks
11. Unit 11: DNA Fingerprinting
12. Unit 12: Human Remains

Unit 1: Safety and Scientific Method

• Safety Standards: Importance of safe practices during lab and field investigations
• Scientific Method: Steps include posing a question, gathering information, forming a hypothesis, experimenting, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions
• Forensics Scientific Method: Focuses on studying past events to solve crimes
• Safety Procedures: Rules for labs including no food, proper attire, and handling of chemicals

Unit 2: Forensics Intro, History, & Careers

• Forensic Science: Application of sciences to criminal and civil law
• History: Includes contributions from figures like Mathieu Orfila and Edmond Locard
• Careers: Wide range of roles from crime scene investigators to forensic engineers
• Ethical Standards: Importance of ethics in forensic science

Unit 3: Basics of Law and Value of Evidence

• Forensic Science in Legal System: Role of forensic science in criminal justice
• Evidence Types: Direct vs. indirect evidence and their admissibility in court
• Legal Responsibilities: Duties of forensic professionals in handling evidence

Unit 4: Collection of Evidence & Crime Scene Investigation

• Crime Scene Protocol: Steps include securing the scene, documenting, collecting, and preserving evidence
• Locard's Exchange Principle: "Every contact leaves a trace"
• Evidence Types: Transient, pattern, conditional, transfer, associative evidence
• Documentation Methods: Use of notes, photography, sketching

Unit 5: Hair Evidence

• Hair Analysis: Examining structure, growth phases, and racial/somatic origin
• Forensic value: Hair can be class or individual evidence based on attached tissue
• Microscopic Examination: Important for distinguishing between human and animal hairs

Unit 6: Serology

• Blood Analysis: Methods for detecting and typing blood
• DNA: Importance in linking suspects to crime scenes
• Other Body Fluids: Analysis of semen, saliva, etc.

Unit 7: Drugs & Toxicology

• Toxicology Role: Identify drugs/toxins in the body
• Drug Testing: Use of color tests, chromatography, spectrometry
• Drug Dependence: Physical and psychological aspects
• Drug Types: Narcotics, hallucinogens, depressants, stimulants

Unit 8: Fingerprint Analysis

• Fingerprint Patterns: Arches, loops, whorls and their significance
• AFIS: Automated Fingerprint Identification System
• Print Types: Patent, latent, plastic

Unit 9: Soil and Glass Analysis

• Soil Forensics: Comparing soil samples for crime scene investigation
• Glass Fracture Analysis: Determining impact details

Unit 10: Firearms and Tool Marks

• Firearm Analysis: Ballistics examination, identifying weapon types
• Tool Marks: Techniques to compare marks left at crime scenes

Unit 11: DNA Fingerprinting

• DNA Role: Unique identifier for individuals
• DNA Analysis Methods: RFLP, PCR, STR, MTDNA
• Databases: CODIS for matching DNA profiles

Unit 12: Human Remains

• Forensic Pathology & Anthropology: Roles in identifying remains and cause of death
• Autopsy Process: External and internal examination
• Decomposition Stages: Fresh, bloating, decay, and dry remains
• Forensic Odontology: Use of dental records for identification

This summary encapsulates the key points from the Forensic Science lecture, providing a comprehensive study guide for students. Each unit focuses on specific forensic methodologies and their application in criminal justice.