Day 1 london met at adp

“Contextualising Forensic Science”

Masuma Ahmed-Ali BSc (Hons) MSc PgCLTHE &

Victoria Halliday BSc (Hons) MSc PgCLTHE

Abu Dhabi Police 8th February 2009Translated by: Bashar Sasa

Timetable for the week

Day 1- Contextualising Forensic Science Introduction to the week Define forensic science Importance of Locard’s principle Discuss issues relevant to forensic science

Day 2- Fingerprints and other impression evidence Introduce mark and impression evidence Discuss the different types of mark and

impression evidence Examine the significance of such

evidence

Day 3-Forensic Biology

Provide an overview of forensic biology Discuss the identification of body fluids Discuss the techniques employed in the

production of a DNA profile

Day 4- Laboratory Safety and Management

Principles of laboratory practice Quality Management System for Testing

Laboratories & ISO 17025/2005 requirements

Health and Safety requirements for Testing Laboratories

Day 5- Forensic Toxicology& Plenary Session Define Forensic Analytical Toxicology (FAT) Discuss the relationship of FAT with Clinical

Analytical Toxicology (CAT) and Performance Analytical Toxicology (PAT)

Dose Response Relationship and Therapeutic Index

Specimen Collection and specific examples

Day 1-Learning Outcomes Participants will be able to:

Provide a definition of forensic science Have an insight into the developmental

history of forensic science Understand the variety of disciplines

available in forensic science Appreciate the main principles of forensic

science including Locard’s principle, continuity and contamination

Ice Breaker

Get the person sitting next to you to answer the following questions:

What is your name?What department do you work in?How long have you worked in the

department?

Then tell us…..

What is Forensic Science?

Derived from the Latin word forensis which means “of the forum”

Is the study and application of science to the processes of law

Science + Circumstance

History Mathiew Orfila

Considered Father of Toxicology – published book (1813)

Sir Edward Henry Introduced Fingerprint Bureau to UK (1901)

Edmund Locard Principle of Exchange of Evidence Established First Police Crime Laboratory (1910)

Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys Developed first DNA profiling test (1984) used in a

criminal investigation (1986)

(www.forensicdna.com)

Disciplines in Forensic Science

Common evidence types

Fingerprints Drugs Firearms Toxicology Trace Evidence Tool marks Documents Fire Investigation

Specialisms

Biology Chemistry Odontology Geology Archaeology Entomology Psychology Customs and Excise

The list goes on…….

Forensic Biology

Molecular biology DNA analysis

Botany Plants Fungus Pollen

Bacteria and Viruses Entomology

Forensic Chemistry

Drugs Toxicology Fibre analysis Paint analysis Glass analysis Accelerants Fake goods

Forensic Science in the UK Providers in England and Wales

FSS LGC Forensics Independent Laboratories

Providers in Scotland Laboratories are linked to specific Police

Forces

Forensic Science in the UK Scientific Support

Includes Crime Scene Investigators, Fingerprint Bureau, Photographers

Usually sit in Police Forces Others

Crown Prosecution Service (Procurator Fiscal in Scotland)

Home Office Pathologists/Coroners Office Forensic Medical Examiners

Role of the forensic scientist in the UK

At the crime scene rarely

In the laboratory It depends

In the court room Expert Witness

Locard’s Principle

“every contact leaves a trace”

What is a crime scene?

Crime Scene

Victim Suspect

What is a crime scene?

Location where event took place e.g. Can be a vehicle Inside a building Out in the open air

Can even be the victim

What is Evidence?

Specifically physical evidence Evidence can determine:

whether a crime has been committed what was involved e.g. a vehicle identify who was involved with the crime

Evidence CAN prove a suspect is guilty or show that some or no link is present between the suspect and the crime

Type of Evidence

Type of evidence determines the type of analysis that is carried out

Analysis needs to be relevant to the circumstances surrounding the crime

Collection & Preservation of Evidence Crime scene must be thoroughly documented,

photographed & sketched before any collection of evidence takes place

Physical evidence must be handled & processed in a way that the evidence remains in an unaltered condition, from crime scene to the laboratory- PRESERVATION

Evidence should be submitted intact- blood, fibres, hairs and soil should not be removed unless necessary

Collection & Preservation of Evidence

Compromise of physical evidence Breakage Evaporation Accidental scratching Bending Contamination Loss of evidence

Collection & Preservation of Evidence

Documentation of the evidence Collecting person’s initials Date and time Description of the evidence Location of the evidence Investigating agency & reference/case

number

Collection & Preservation of Evidence Chain of custody

List of persons who came into possession of an item of evidence

Need to know what happened to the evidence from the time of its finding to its presentation in court

May be required to testify in court Authenticity & Integrity of evidence Kept to minimum to avoid confusion

Collection & Preservation of Evidence Equipment used to collect evidence

Forceps, tweezers, scalpels, spoons etc Packaging

Paper containers- packets, envelopes, bags Vials- unbreakable, leak-proof containers

(liquid items) Airtight containers Unbreakable plastic containers (various sizes) Carefully folded paper- “druggist fold/

beechams wrap”

Collection & Preservation of Evidence Collection of Evidence

Fingerprints/palmprints/footprints- photograph before making impression, lifting tape/paper attached to tape

Questioned documents- suitable container. Fibres/hair- small plastic container, folded

paper with sealed edges Broken fingernails- paper packet then in a

paper envelope

Collection & Preservation of Evidence Collection of Evidence

Glass- separate questioned from known. Pack in cotton in sturdy container to prevent further breakage or damage. Label “Fragile”

Firearms- firearm safety! Wrapped in a paper & place in cardboard/wooden box. Ammunition & casings should be packed separately in small cardboard pill boxes

Soil samples- collect samples ASAP from immediate crime scene & areas etc. Plastic vial

Collection & Preservation of Evidence Collection of Evidence

Blood evidence Liquid known samples- leak proof vials. Pack

in cotton/paper. Refridgerate Liquid unknown samples- absorb onto sterile

gauze and let dry Dry stains- plastic vial, keep dry Stained clothing- wrap each article separately.

Place in box to prevent shifting. If wet when found, air dry by hanging

Collection & Preservation of Evidence

Submission of Controls Example 1- blood/ hair from suspect, that can

be compared to crime scene evidence Example 2- buccal swabs from crime scene

personnel Need to take samples of environment

Issues- Contamination

Discredits the integrity of the evidence Should be avoided

How? Robust evidence recovery procedures

E.g. Secure Packaging Rigorous examination procedures in the

laboratory

Issues- Continuity

Chain of custody Documented proof that the integrity of an

item, that may be submitted to the court in future is intact

Analysis of Evidence

Divided into those that are examined In-force externally by a forensic science provider

In-force examinations are generally limited to the analysis of impression marks e.g. fingerprints

Analysis of Evidence

Fingermarks not visible to the naked eye are called latent marks. Can be developed at the scene using

powders May require chemical enhancement (can be

done at the scene, although usually done in a laboratory)

Analysis of Evidence

The type of chemical used may include: Amido black if the fingerprints have been left

deposited in blood Superglue may develop fingermarks on a black bin

bag

Crime Scene marks are passed to the Fingerprint Bureau where they will be compared to suspects or put on IDENT1(national automated fingerprint identification system)

Analysis of Evidence

Other types of Forensic Evidence e.g. blood and hairs are submitted to a forensic

provider.

Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) may perform presumptive tests at the scene however they must then be sent to the forensic science provider for further analysis

Analysis of Evidence

Example Blood Use LMG (Leucomalachite Green) at the

crime scene to test for presence of blood If positive – can swab and send to Forensic

Science provider to obtain DNA profile However can sometimes produce false

positives

Laboratory Practice

Protection (appropriate to the environment)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Face mask Mob cap Lab coat Gloves Foot covers

General personal safety

Staff are responsible for their own safety and the safety of others

Always plan the activity to be carried No eating or drinking Do not apply cosmetics, lick labels, suck

pens, pencils or smoke in the laboratory Cuts/abrasions should be covered Wash hands with disinfectant soap

Laboratory Practice

Anti contamination procedures Wipe down work area with medi-wipes decontaminate all equipment Use disposable consumables Use aseptic techniques

Laboratory Practice

Miscellaneous Monitoring equipment on daily basis Cleaning Health & safety issues Always have a professional attitude Risk Assessments

Individualisation

Depending on the type of evidence can individualise or not Fingermarks individualise as no two people

have been found to have the same fingerprint DNA profiles can only be expressed as a

statistic

Interpretation

Interpretation is the drawing of rational and balanced inferences from observations, test results and measurements

Requires training and experience Need circumstance of crime when

interpreting evidence

Strength Of Evidence

Depends on Evidence type

No support Some support Moderate support Strong/extremely strong support Conclusive

Presentation of Evidence in the UK

Two different forms: Written Statement Can be made in person before the court (if

required)

Presentation of Evidence in the UK

Two main types of criminal court in England and Wales: Magistrates Court Crown Court

Presentation of Evidence in the UK More serious crimes go to Crown Court

Verdict by a jury Judge who determines sentence If found guilty in Crown Court may be given

opportunity to appeal via; Court of Appeal/High Court/House of Lords (not Scotland) (later) Criminal Case Review Board

Expert Evidence

Mainly evidence of opinion rather than fact

Court admits and considers on the basis of the knowledge and experience of the witness

Experts in UK

Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners (CRFP)

Forensic Science Society- Professional Body

Any Questions?