x All rights Reserved South-Western / Cengage Learning © 2012, 2009
Dec 27, 2015
x
All rights Reserved
South-Western / Cengage
Learning © 2012, 2009
DAY 1
Unit 1 Targets• Define observation and describe what
changes occur in the brain.
• Describe examples of factors influencing eyewitness accounts of events.
• Compare the reliability of eyewitness testimony to what actually happened.
• Relate observation skills to their use in forensic science.
• Practice and improve your own observation skills.
Unit 1 Targets• Determine the independent, dependent, and
controlled variables in sample scenarios.• Write hypotheses that includes prior knowledge in
their reasoning.• Take measurements using the metric system.• Convert units in the metric system
Quarter 1 Proficiencies• I can write/evaluate a hypothesis for an
investigation.
• I can design/evaluate a controlled, valid, and reproducible experiment.
• I can demonstrate that I make careful and detail observations through word descriptions, data, and drawings.
• I can evaluate/communicate if the data in an experiment support or refute the hypothesis.
Unit 1 Vocabulary
• analytical skills• control variables• deductive reasoning• dependent variable• eyewitness• fact• forensic
• hypothesis• independent
variable• logic• observation• opinion• perception
IntroductionIntroduction
The forensic examiner must be able to
1. find—identify the evidence
2. document—record the evidence
3. interpret—accurately determine the significance of the evidence
What Is Observation? What Is Observation?
Our brains can filter out information.
Point out some of the details in this photo.
What Is Observation? What Is Observation?
Our brains fill in gaps in our perception• In order to make sense of what we perceive,
our brains often enrich with detail what we see, taste, hear, smell, or feel
• After an event, we can believe things were part of the background even though they were not
What Is Observation? What Is Observation?
Our brains apply previous knowledgeto new situations
What assumptions can you make about this scene?
How might those assumptions be wrong?
What Is Observation? What Is Observation?
How information is processed in the brain
Learning to See Picture #1
Learning to See #1 Qs
• 1. At what location was the photograph taken? Glenville Municipal Center
• 2. How many cars are pictured? 2• 3. What color are the cars? Tan & gray• 4. What types of offices are located in the
building? Town, police and court offices• 5. How many small trees are in the picture?
2• 6. The photograph was taken New York State
during which season? Spring or summer• 7. How many people are in the photograph?
None
Learning to See Picture #2
Learning To See #2 Qs• 1. What is pictured in Photograph #2? Urn or pot• 2. Describe the shape of the object pictured?
Like a flowerpot• 3. What are the colors of the object? Red,
green, tan, blue, white brown• 4. What color edged the top of the object? Blue• 5. Upon what is the object displayed? A wooden
chair• 6. Describe or sketch the design on the object?
See above• 7. What is the approximate size of the object?
~12”-14” wide, ~ 16” tall
Learning To See Picture #3
Learning To See #3 Qs• 1. How many people are in Photograph #3?
One• 2. What is the sex of the person in the
picture? Female• 3. What is the approximate age of the person
in the photograph? 55• 4. What color is the person’s hair? Blonde
(dyed)• 5. Does the person have long hair or short
hair? Short• 6. Does the person have any distinguishing
features? Glasses? Yes
• 7. Can you describe the person’s clothing? • 8. Is the person wearing any jewelry? If so,
describe it. Gold necklace and earrings• 9. Can you describe where the picture was
taken? School room or office– 1.Based on evidence in the photograph, can you form
a hypothesis about the person’s occupation? Teacher
– 2. Is it possible to identify the interests of the person based upon evidence in the room?
Forensics and biology books imply this might be a science teacher.– 3. Do you think it is easier to answer questions about a
photograph if a person is in the picture? Yes because we can recognize familiar surroundings and situations.
Learning to See Discussion Qs
• 8. Did everyone answer the questions correctly?
• 9. If everyone viewed the same photograph, list some possible reasons why their answers differed.
Day 2
Observations by Witnesses Observations by Witnesses
Observations are affected by:
1.Their emotional states
2.Whether they were alone, part of a group, or near others
3.What type of and how much activity was going on around them
Eyewitness Accounts Eyewitness Accounts • Crime-scene reports often vary, due to:
– level of interest– stress– concentration– amount and kind of distractions present– prejudices– personal beliefs – motives– any lapse in time since the event
How to be a Good Observer How to be a Good Observer
Observe systematically
• Start at one part of a crime scene and run your eyes slowly over every space
• Look carefully at details of each piece of evidence
• Do not assume you will remember everything
How to be a Good Observer How to be a Good Observer
Turn off filters
• Consciously pay attention to all details
• Do not pay attention to just what you think is important
• All details are potentially important
How to be a Good Observer How to be a Good Observer
Collect Information first, interpret data later
• Look for patterns and make connections• More information yields better
interpretations• Prejudices exist everywhere—
– eyewitness accounts– your own thinking processes
How to be a Good Observer How to be a Good Observer
Documentation, Documentation,
Documentation
• Write down and photograph as much information as possible
• Be aware that memory is faulty• Remember that our brains tend to fill in gaps in our
perceptions
Identifying Variables
3 Kinds of Variables
• Independent Variable – something that is changed by the scientist– What is tested
– What is manipulated
3 Kinds of Variables
• Dependent Variable – something that might be affected by the change in the independent variable– What is observed
– What is measured
3 Kinds of Variables
• Controlled Variable – a variable that is not changed– Also called constants
– Allow for a “fair test”
For Example:
An investigation was done with an electromagnetic system made from a battery and wire wrapped around a nail. Different sizes of nails were used. The number of
paper clips the electromagnet could pick up was measured.
Independent variable:
• IV: Sizes of nails–These were changed by the
scientist
Dependent variable:
• DV: Number of paper clips picked up–The number of paper clips
observed and counted (measured)
Controlled variables:
• CV: Battery, wire, type of nail– None of these items were changed
White board practice in Groups of 2
The higher the temperature of water, the faster an egg will
boil.
• Independent variable – temperature of water
• Dependent variable – time to cook an egg
• Controlled variable – type of egg
White board practice #2
The temperature of water was measured at different depths
of a pond.
• Independent variable – depth of the water
• Dependent variable – temperature
• Controlled variable – pond, location
Day 5
The Innocence Project The Innocence Project • Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, • Beginning in 1992, used DNA to
examine post-conviction cases• Faulty eyewitness identifications
accounted for up to 87% of the wrongful convictions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SummarySummary . . . .. . . .
• The environment and our natural sensory filters affect our ability to observe
• Eyewitness reports can be correct, faulty, or a little of both
• Acquiring good observation skills takes practice and training
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SummarySummary
• Forensic scientists:– Find and Document Evidence– Evaluate and Interpret– Provide expert testimony to courts
Metric System UnitsQuantity Base Unit Symbol
Length
Mass
Time
Volume
meter
gram
second
liter
m
g
s
L
Prefix Conversions
1. Find the difference between the
exponents of the two prefixes.
2. Move the decimal that many places.
To the leftor right?
Metric Staircase
532 m = _______ km0.532
A. SI Prefix Conversions
1) 20 cm = ______________ m
2) 0.032 L = ______________ mL
3) 805 dm = ______________ km
0.2
0.0805
32
Odd units1mL = 1 cm3
Data Types
• Quantitative- data measured with a number value (ex. 32 cm)
• Qualitative- data measured with your senses (ex. dim vs bright)
Hypothesis Writing
Format:
When the Independent (manipulated) Variable is increased/decreased (pick one), then the Dependent (responding) Variable should increase/decrease (pick one). This is because explanation.