CHE106 LECTURE Blinderman

NOTES PAGE 2009

INTRODUCTION

I. Science:

- The Scientific Method:

II. Forensic Science:

- criminalistics

III. US system

A. 4 federal crime labs

B. increase in crime labs

C. NJ

IV. Locard's Exchange Principle

Wherever he steps, whatever he touches, whatever he leaves, even unconsciously, will serve as a silent witness against him. Not only his fingerprints or his footprints, but his hair, the fibers from his clothes, the glass he breaks, the tool mark he leaves, the paint he scratches, the blood or semen he deposits or collects. All of these and more, bear mute witness against him. This is evidence that does not forget. It is not confused by the excitement of the moment. It is not absent because human witnesses are. It is factual evidence. Physical evidence cannot be wrong, it cannot perjure itself, it cannot be wholly absent. Only human failure to find it, study and understand it, can diminish its value.

V. Forensic Units

A. Forensic Pathology

1. Example:

2. Decomposition

- rigor mortis

- livor mortis

- algor mortis

- ocular fluid

3. Stages of Decomposition

~ Day 3:

~ Day 10 = putrefaction

~Day 20 = black putrefaction

~Day 50 = butyric fermentation

>50 days = dry decay

B. Forensic Entomology

C. Forensic Anthropology

- what can we tell from skeletal remains?

D. Forensic Odontology

VI. Cause and Manner of Death

A. Manner of death

B. Cause of death

CRIME SCENE AND PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

I. Introduction

A. Forensic science begins at:

B. Steps

- secure scene

- establish:

- record (document)

-systematic:

C. Golden rule: "Never touch, change, or alter anything until it has been documented, identified, measured, and photographed . . . when a body or article has been moved, it can never be restored to its original position.“

- exceptions:

II. Physical evidence

A. examples

III. The Fourth Amendment

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

A. Search warrant

B. Warrantless search ok if:

IV. Crime scene evidence

A. collection

B. Chain of custody

C. Crime scene safety

- 6 safety precautions

D. Identification =

1. Identify to near certainty examples:

- blood

- drugs

- fire

Cause = acetone,

Manner = smoking (leading cause),

2. comparative analysis = Compare sample to reference sample

Do they come from the same source?

3. some samples can be individualized. Examples:

4. some samples give class characteristics. Example:

Blood type:

OJ Simpson case physical evidence

Hair, fibers, blood, DNA, shoe print, hand cuts, glove