In Preparing these slides I made a few assumptions: • You have an interest in forensic science • You are a fan of forensic shows on TV • You follow criminal cases on TV, newspaper, or radio • You are considering a career in the legal, judicial, or forensics field • You love reading mystery stories • You are simply curious by nature • And finally…you chose this class because you thought it was cool…
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In Preparing these slides I made a few assumptions: Y ou have an interest in forensic science You are a fan of forensic shows on TV You follow criminal.
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In Preparing these slides
I made a few assumptions:• You have an interest in forensic science• You are a fan of forensic shows on TV• You follow criminal cases on TV, newspaper, or radio• You are considering a career in the legal, judicial, or
forensics field• You love reading mystery stories• You are simply curious by nature• And finally…you chose this class because you
thought it was cool…
The Evolution of Criminal Investigation
Understanding the history of forensics
Forensic Science
• The word itself stems from the Latin word forum, which simply means “law”
• Forensic Science is simply the application of scientific principles to law• However, forensics has not been accepted for
very long
1750
• Henry Fielding – established the “Bow Street Runners”• Fielding’s runners literally ran to a crime
scene to informally investigate the scene• The gathered information (much of it useless)
and reported it to anyone who cared• The gained the reputation and
acknowledgement as the first modern detective force
1829
• British Parliament passed the Metropolitan Police Act and created one of the first legally organized police forces
• This force was stationed at the world renowned Scotland Yard (the location of the modern London Police Department)
• The Scotland Yard was established and the force was selected by Sir Robert Peel• This accomplishment has earned Sir Peel as the
father of modern policing.
Scotland Yard
• The department was headed by Sir Peel, but two commissioners were chosen: Sir Charles Rowan and Sir Richard Mayne
• The department made up of several officers, office staff, and the administration occupied 4 Whitehall Place which opened up to the famous Scotland Yard
1857
• The New York Police Department organized a picture gallery of known criminals – Rogues Gallery
• Photos lined the walls like an art gallery so the public would know criminals identities
• Pictures were arranged first by height, and then by criminal specialty
1883
• Alphonse Bertillon – established a method of identifying criminals• Taking various body measurements to
establish a profile of a criminal• This system was very inaccurate and was
abandoned at the advent of dactylography (the study of fingerprints)
1900
• Francis Galton – wrote the book Fingerprints after extensive research finding solitary identity in a fingerprint
• In 1900, the Henry System was accepted and used as a system of criminal investigation
Homework Assignment
• Do some research and write a ½ page summary of the Henry System used in fingerprinting• Be sure to explain why the system is no
longer used
1908
• The United States Congress passed a bill enacting an investigative entity • The Federal Bureau of Investigation was
established under its original name of Bureau of Investigation (name changed in 1924)
1987
• The discovery and mapping of DNA was a huge milestone for Forensics
• You all know the individuality and importance of DNA
• DNA profiling was first used in a case in 1988, but was still considered new and controversial
CAREERS IN FORENSIC SCIENCE
Becoming a Professional
What does it take?
• Most, but not all require at least a bachelor's degree• Recommended majors: Chemistry, Biology,
Physics, or Criminal Justice…unless specialized
• A lot of “on-call” time…you never know when a criminal might strike
Forensic Toxicologist• Must hold at least a master’s
degree in forensic toxicology
• Ph.D. preferred• Detect toxic substances in
the bodies being investigated
• Seek employment in:• Crime laboratories • Medical Examiners Offices • Police departments • Criminal defense and
prosecution attorneys • Hospital and Clinical
Chemistry Laboratories • Pharmaceutical Industry • High school science teachers
Crime Scene Investigator
• Minimal 2 year associates degree but bachelor’s degree preferred
• On-site training• Tasks vary from drug
identification to footprint examination to chemical identification