DOCSLIB.ORG

Crime Scene Investigation

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Crime Scene Investigation U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice Crime Scene Investigation A Guide for Law Enforcement research report U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs 810 Seventh Street N.W. Washington, DC 20531 Janet Reno Attorney General Daniel Marcus Acting Associate Attorney General Laurie Robinson Assistant Attorney General Noël Brennan Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jeremy Travis Director, National Institute of Justice Department of Justice Response Center 800–421–6770 Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice World Wide Web Site World Wide Web Site http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij Cover photograph of man on the ground by Corbis Images. Other cover photographs copyright © 1999 PhotoDisc, Inc. Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement Written and Approved by the Technical Working Group on Crime Scene Investigation January 2000 U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice Jeremy Travis, J.D. Director Richard M. Rau, Ph.D. Project Monitor Opinions or points of view expressed in this document are a consensus of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Justice. NCJ 178280 The National Institute of Justice is a component of the Office of Jus- tice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime. Message From the Attorney General ctions taken at the outset of an investigation at a crime scene can Aplay a pivotal role in the resolution of a case. Careful, thorough investigation is key to ensure that potential physical evidence is not tainted or destroyed or potential witnesses overlooked. While many agencies have programs in crime scene processing, the level of training and resources available varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, as does the opportunity to practice actual investigation. To help these agencies, the National Institute of Justice supported the development of this guide. I commend the hard work of the 44 members of the technical working group that created this guide. They are representative of law enforcement, the prosecution, the defense, and forensic science, and their collective expert knowledge, experience, and dedication to the task made this effort a success. The guide is one method of promoting quality crime scene investigation. The type and scope of a crime scene investigation will vary from case to case. Jurisdictions will want to carefully consider the procedures in this guide and their applicability to local agencies and circumstances. Janet Reno Attorney General iii Technical Working Group on Crime Scene Investigation he Technical Working Group on Crime Scene Investigation T (TWGCSI) is a multidisciplinary group of content-area experts from across the United States, from both urban and rural jurisdictions, each representing his or her respective agency or practice. Each of these individuals is experienced in the area of crime scene investigation and evidence collection in the criminal justice system from the standpoints of law enforcement, prosecution, defense, or forensic science. At the outset of the TWGCSI effort, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) created a planning panel—composed of distinguished law enforce- ment, legal, and science professionals—to define needs, to develop initial strategies, and to steer the larger group. Additional members of the technical working group were then selected from recommendations solicited from the planning panel, NIJ’s regional National Law Enforce- ment and Corrections Technology Centers, and national organizations including the American Academy of Forensic Science, National District Attorneys Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Law- yers, National Legal Aid and Defender Association, International Asso- ciation of Chiefs of Police, National Sheriffs’ Association, International Association for Identification, and the American Association of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board. Collectively, over a 1-year period, the 44 members of TWGCSI listed below worked together to develop this guide, Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement. National Crime Scene Planning Panel (NCSPP) Dr. Jose R. Almirall Susan Ballou Paul Carroll Associate Director and Forensic Scientist Sergeant (Ret.) Assistant Professor Montgomery County Police Chicago Police Department International Forensic Research Department Big Pine Key, Florida Institute Crime Laboratory Department of Chemistry Rockville, Maryland Florida International University Miami, Florida v Elizabeth Farris Larry McCann Ann Talbot Chief Trial Counsel Senior Special Agent (Ret.) ASCLD/LAB Hampden County District Virginia State Police Albuquerque Police Department Attorney’s Office Richmond, Virginia Albuquerque, New Mexico Springfield, Massachusetts Dr. Joseph L. Peterson James T. “Tom” Thurman Jo Ann Given Department of Criminal Justice Associate Professor ASCLD/LAB University of Illinois College of Law Enforcement Naval Criminal Investigative Chicago, Illinois Eastern Kentucky University Service Richmond, Kentucky Norfolk, Virginia Elliot B. Spector Director Marjorie Harris Center for Police and Security Forensic Scientist, Senior Training Department of Criminal Justice Suffield, Connecticut Division of Forensic Science Richmond, Virginia Additional Technical Working Group Members Hal R. Arenstein James Estrada Robert Mullins Attorney at Law Detective Investigator Detective Law Offices of Hal Arenstein Homicide Unit Investigative Services Cincinnati, Ohio San Antonio Police Department New Haven Police Department San Antonio, Texas New Haven, Connecticut Dexter J. Bartlett Inspector Drew Findling Steve Nash Illinois State Police Attorney Detective Crime Scene Services Command Atlanta, Georgia Marin County Sheriff’s Joliet, Illinois Department Nan Horvat/John Sarcone San Rafael, California Eric Buel Assistant Polk County Attorney/ Director Polk County Attorney Kathryn Normington- Department of Public Safety Des Moines, Iowa Hollenbach Crime Laboratory Senior Forensic Scientist Waterbury, Vermont N. Michael Hurley Wyoming State Crime Regional Director Laboratory Jeff Cover Oregon State Police Cheyenne, Wyoming Supervisor, Crime Scene Unit Forensic Services Division Anne Arundel County Police Springfield, Oregon Galen Paine Department Assistant Public Defender Millersville, Maryland Gary L. Kaldun Public Defender’s Office Forensic Scientist, Crime Sitka, Alaska Elizabeth Devine Scene Coordinator Supervising Criminalist Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Michael J. Rafferty Scientific Services Bureau St. Paul, Minnesota Chief of Forensics Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Florida Department of Law Department Joe Marchan Enforcement Los Angeles, California Supervising Criminalist Fort Myers Regional Operations Texas Department of Public Center Henry Escobar Safety Crime Laboratory Fort Myers, Florida Detective McAllen, Texas San Antonio Police Department Eugene Rifenburg San Antonio, Texas Joseph John Moseley, II Senior Investigator (Ret.) Detective New York State Police Jerry N. Estes Central Homicide Evaluation Investigator (current) District Attorney General Support Squad Oneida Nation Police 10th Judicial District Chicago Police Department Munnsville, New York Athens, Tennessee Chicago, Illinois vi Gary A. Rini Clarene Shelley Stephen Weichman Police Commander (Ret.) Lieutenant County and Prosecuting Director Lakewood Police Department Attorney The American Institute for Lakewood, Colorado Teton County Police Science Jackson, Wyoming Elkhorn, Nebraska Gregory Smith Assistant County Prosecutor James Wiser Heidi Robbins Office of the County Prosecutor Crime Scene Investigator/ Supervising Criminalist Camden County Evidence Custodian Scientific Services Bureau Camden, New Jersey Mount Pleasant Police Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Department Richard Stanek Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Los Angeles, California Captain Minneapolis Police Department Larry Wood Darrell Ryan Minneapolis, Minnesota Detective Lieutenant Major Case Unit Nashville Police Department Brad Townsend Smyrna Police Department Nashville, Tennessee Sergeant Smyrna, Georgia Corona Police Department Norman Shapiro Corona, California John Yarbrough Vice President, New York Sergeant State Defender’s Association Larry Turner Homicide Bureau Counselor at Law Director of Forensic Services Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Law Offices of Norman Shapiro Jackson Police Department Department Middletown, New York Crime Laboratory Commerce, California Jackson, Mississippi vii Acknowledgments he National Institute of Justice (NIJ) wishes to thank the Technical T Working Group on Crime Scene Investigation (TWGCSI) for their dedication and endurance. This 44-member network of experts from a variety of backgrounds gave their time to draft and review the guide, providing feedback from all areas of the Nation. The true strength of this document is derived from the commitment of the TWG members to produce a guide that could be implemented across the country, from small, rural townships to large, metropolitan areas. In addition, the agencies and organizations that employ each member of the group share in this endeavor. Through their support, each member was given the flexibility needed to complete the project. NIJ also wishes to thank Attorney General Janet Reno, whose support and commitment to the
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Fire and Arson Scene Evidence: a Guide for Public Safety Personnel
    U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice FireFire andand ArsonArson SceneScene Evidence:Evidence: A Guide for Public Safety Personnel Research Report U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs 810 Seventh Street N.W. Washington, DC 20531 Janet Reno Attorney General Daniel Marcus Acting Associate Attorney General Mary Lou Leary Acting Assistant Attorney General Julie E. Samuels Acting Director, National Institute of Justice Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice World Wide Web Site World Wide Web Site http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij Fire and Arson Scene Evidence: A Guide for Public Safety Personnel Written and Approved by the Technical Working Group on Fire/Arson Scene Investigation June 2000 NCJ 181584 Julie E. Samuels Acting Director David G. Boyd, Ph.D. Deputy Director Richard M. Rau, Ph.D. Project Monitor Opinions or points of view expressed in this document represent a consensus of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Justice. The National Institute of Justice is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime. Message From the Attorney General ctions taken at the outset of an investigation at a fire and Aarson scene can play a pivotal role in the resolution of a case. Careful, thorough investigation is key to ensuring that potential physical evidence is not tainted or destroyed or potential witnesses overlooked.
    [Show full text]
  • Forensic Biology 205 Administration Building • 419-372-2015
    Fall 2020 Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science Specialization in Forensic Biology 205 Administration Building • 419-372-2015 BG Perspective (BGP) Requirements FSCI Major Core Requirements (38 Hrs.) Must complete at least 1 course in each of the following: Hrs Grade English Composition and Oral Communication 4 BIOL 2040 Concepts in Biology I Course Credits 4 BIOL 2050 Concepts in Biology II 4 BIOL 3310 Human Anatomy & Physiology Quantitative Literacy 4 BIOL 3320 Human Anatomy & Physiology II _____________________________ ________ 3 CHEM 1770 Intro to Forensic Science 3 CRJU 4400 Law, Evidence, & Procedures in Must Complete at least 2 courses in each of the following: Forensic Science Humanities and the Arts 3 CRJU 4510 Criminal Justice Ethics 3 MATH 2470 Fund. of Statistics 5 PHYS 2010 or 2110 University Physics I 5 PHYS 2020 or 2120 University Physics II Natural Sciences - at least one Lab Science required FSCI Forensic Biology Specialization Requirements (16 hrs.) Social and Behavioral Sciences 4 BIOL 3500 Genetics 3 BIOL 4080 Molecular Biology 3 BIOL 4230 OR FSCI 4230 Forensic Biology Complete total required BGP credit hours by selecting courses from any 3 BIOL 4240 OR FSCI 4240 Forensic DNA Analysis of the above categories: 3 FSCI 4890 Internship OR FSCI 4990 Capstone Additional Requirements (25-26 Hrs.) These courses also fulfill the requirements for a minor in chemistry. Consult with an advisor about declaring the minor. University Requirements Designated courses in Humanities and the Arts and the Social and Behavorial Sciences
    [Show full text]
  • Cognitive Human Factors and Forensic Document Examiner Methods and Procedures Author(S): Mara L
    The author(s) shown below used Federal funding provided by the U.S. Department of Justice to prepare the following resource: Document Title: Cognitive Human Factors and Forensic Document Examiner Methods and Procedures Author(s): Mara L. Merlino, Chandler Al Namer, Taleb Al Namer, La’Quida Smith, Veronica Blas Dahir, Charles Edwards, Derek L. Hammond Document Number: 254581 Date Received: March 2020 Award Number: 2015-DN-BX-K069 This resource has not been published by the U.S. Department of Justice. This resource is being made publically available through the Office of Justice Programs’ National Criminal Justice Reference Service. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Cognitive Human Factors and Forensic Document Examination Methods and Procedures 1 Cognitive Human Factors and Forensic Document Examiner Methods and Procedures Final Summary Overview NIJ Award Number 2015-DN-BX-K069 Principal Investigator: Mara L. Merlino Research Assistants: Chandler Al Namer, Taleb Al Namer, La’Quida Smith Kentucky State University Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 Subaward Principal Investigator: Veronica Blas Dahir Research Assistants: Charles Edwards University of Nevada, Reno Reno, Nevada 89557 Expert Consultant: Derek L. Hammond U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory Forest Park, Georgia Acknowledgements: Bryan J. Found, Victoria Police Forensic Services Department Adrian Dyer, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Kentucky State University: Piarre Easley, Robert Olson University of Nevada, Reno: Mauricio Alvarez, J. Guillermo Villalobos, Denise Schaar Buis, Emily Wood, Chris Swinger, Chris Sanchez, Katherine Caufield Submitted to the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Handbook of Forensic Services 2003 Table of Contents
    14a forensic covers c1-c4 2/9/2004 2:35 PM Page c1 U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory Division Revised 2003 14a forensic covers c1-c4 2/9/2004 2:35 PM Page c2 Handbook of Forensic Services (revised 2003) Editor Colleen Wade Associate Editor Yvette E. Trozzi An FBI Laboratory Publication Federal Bureau of Investigation Quantico, Virginia ISBN 0-932115-18-7 Handbook of Forensic Services 2003 Table of Contents Introduction 3 Submitting Evidence 7 Evidence Examinations 13 Crime Scene Safety 133 Crime Scene Search 155 Index 169 1 Handbook of Forensic Services 2003 Introduction The purpose of the Handbook of Forensic Services is to provide guidance and procedures for safe and efficient methods of collecting, preserving, packaging, and shipping evidence and to describe the forensic examinations performed by the FBI’s Laboratory Division and Investigative Technology Division. FBI Forensic Services The successful investigation and prosecution of crimes require, in most cases, the collection, preservation, and forensic analysis of evidence. Forensic analysis of evidence is often crucial to determinations of guilt or innocence. The FBI has one of the largest and most comprehensive forensic laboratories in the world. The forensic services of the FBI Laboratory Division and the Investigative Technology Division are available to the following: ■ FBI field offices and Legal Attachés. ■ U.S. attorneys, military tribunals, and other federal agencies for civil and criminal matters. ■ State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies in the United States 3 Handbook of Forensic Services 2003 and territorial possessions for criminal matters. All forensic services, including expert witness testimonies, are rendered free of cost; however, the following limitations apply: ■ No examination will be conducted on evidence that has been previously subjected to the same type of examination.
    [Show full text]
  • CHAPTER 83 COLLECTION and PRESERVATION of EVIDENCE DISCUSSION: This Chapter Addresses the Function of the Hattiesburg Police D
    CHAPTER 83 COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCE DISCUSSION: This chapter addresses the function of the Hattiesburg Police Department in collecting and preserving evidence. Often, in today's court environment, it is the evidence, its collection and storage that appears to be on trial rather than the defendant. This chapter provides tried and proven guidelines for the field officer and the seasoned investigator to insure that evidence is accepted by the court. This in turn strengthens the Justice System by allowing the court and/or jury to make a determination utilizing a complete set of facts. 83.1 ADMINISTRATION 83.1.1 Availability of a Crime Scene Investigator on a 24 Hour Basis A Criminal Investigator or trained crime scene investigator will be available on a twenty- four hour basis. In determining if a criminal investigator or a crime scene specialist is needed, the following sequence should be adhered to: B. If a crime scene or a potential crime scene is encountered, the responding officer should attempt to process the scene or collect evidence if he/she has the skills and equipment. If the officer feels that additional supplies/expertise is required, his/her immediate supervisor should be contacted. C. If, in the opinion of the supervisor, that a Criminal Investigator or Crime Scene Specialist is needed; the Criminal Investigator or Crime Scene Specialist who is either on duty or on call shall be notified and briefed on the situation. If a Criminal Investigator or Crime Scene Specialist is to be called after hours, the dispatcher will call the one assigned to that particular time.
    [Show full text]
  • Testing the Capability of Close-Range Photogrammetry to Document Outdoor Forensic Scenes with Skeletal Remains Using Mock Scenarios
    University of Central Florida STARS Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 2018 Testing the Capability of Close-Range Photogrammetry to Document Outdoor Forensic Scenes With Skeletal Remains Using Mock Scenarios Kevin Gidusko University of Central Florida Part of the Anthropology Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Masters Thesis (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STARS Citation Gidusko, Kevin, "Testing the Capability of Close-Range Photogrammetry to Document Outdoor Forensic Scenes With Skeletal Remains Using Mock Scenarios" (2018). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019. 6026. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6026 TESTING THE CAPABILITY OF CLOSE-RANGE PHOTOGRAMMETRY TO DOCUMENT OUTDOOR FORENSIC SCENES WITH SKELETAL REMAINS USING MOCK SCENARIOS by KEVIN A. GIDUSKO BA Anthropology University of Central Florida, 2011 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Anthropology in the College of Science at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Summer Term 2018 Major Professor: John J. Schultz © 2018 Kevin A. Gidusko ii ABSTRACT More rigorous methodological protocols are needed to document outdoor forensic scenes containing skeletal remains. However, law enforcement protocols rarely provide specific guidelines for processing these scenes. Regardless, the need to preserve contextual information at crime scenes is of paramount importance and it is worth exploring new technological applications that will allow for better documentation.
    [Show full text]
  • Associate of Science to B.S. in Forensic Biology
    Guilford College Bi-Lateral Transfer Agreement Proposal Guilford Technical Community College ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE TO B.S. IN FORENSIC BIOLOGY GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOUNDATIONS ENGL 102 ENG 111 = ENGL 102 (3T) Historical Perspectives ENG 112 = ENGL 150 + HIST 131 = HIST 103 (6T) Foreign Language SPA 111 = SPAN 101 (3T) Quantitative Literacy MAT 152 = MATH 112 (4T) EXPLORATIONS – BREADTH Arts MUS 110 = MUS 111 (3T) Business and Policy Studies BUS 110= BUS 120 (3T) Humanities ENG 232 = ENGL 226 (3T) Natural Science BIO 112 = BIOL 112 (4T) Social Science ECO 251=ECON 222 (3T) EXPLORATIONS – CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES Intercultural REL 110 = REL 150 (3T) Social Justice/Environmental Responsibility PHI 240= PHIL 111 (3T) Diversity in the U.S. ENG 232 = ENGL 226 INTERDISCIPLINARY CAPSTONE COURSE IDS 400-level One approved Guilford course MAJOR: FORENSIC BIOLOGY BIO 111 = BIOL 111 Int. Biol.: Molecules & Cells (4T) BIOL 245 Introduction to Forensic Science BIOL 246 Forensic Chemistry BIOL 313 Cell Biology BIOL 341 Human Anatomy and Physiology I Two courses from: BIOL 115 General Botany BIOL 342 Human Anatomy and Physiology II BIOL 434 Biochemistry BIOL 443 Genetics CHM 151=CHEM 111 Chemical Principles I (4T) CHM 152=CHEM 112 Chemical Principles II (4T) PHYS 211 College Physics I PHYS 212 College Physics II One course from MATH 115 Elementary Functions MATH 271=MATH 121 (4T) MATH 122 Calculus II MATH 123 Accelerated Calculus ELECTIVES: MAT 172 = MATH 150 (4T) PED 110= SPST 109 (2T) ACA 122= GST 150 (1T) One Guilford elective at 4 credit hours One Guilford elective at 4 credit hours One Guilford elective at 4 credit hours One Guilford elective at 3 credit hours Students must satisfy all General Education, major, and minor requirements and complete a minimum of 128 credits with at least a “C” (2.0) average in order to earn a baccalaureate degree.
    [Show full text]
  • BIOLOGY (Forensic Science Concentration), B.S. 40 Courses of Three Or More Credits and 3 One-Credit PE Courses
    Name: ______________________________________ BIOLOGY (Forensic Science Concentration), B.S. 40 courses of three or more credits and 3 one-credit PE courses GENERAL EDUCATION CORE MAJOR BASIC REQUIREMENTS (2 courses and 3 one- (16 required courses) credit PE courses) Composition and Rhetoric BI 151: Introductory Biology I EN 103 Composition and Rhetoric I BI 152: Introductory Biology II EN 104 Composition and Rhetoric II BI 255: Molecular Biology Physical Education Courses BI 330: Genetics PE 100 BI/CH 305: Forensic Toxicology PE ____ BI 355: Human Structure and Function I PE ____ BI 356: Human Structure and Function II BI 455: Research Seminar MODES OF THINKING (3 courses) CH 101: General Chemistry I Literature (Select one) CH 102: General Chemistry II EN 110, EN 112, EN 115 CH 231: Organic Chemistry I Mathematics (Satisfied by Major – MA 121) CH 232: Organic Chemistry II Natural Science (Satisfied by Major) MA 121: Calculus I Philosophy MA 122: Calculus II PL 109 PH 201: Gen. Phys. I: Mechanics and Heat Social Sciences (Satisfied by Required PH 202: Gen. Phys. II: Wave Phenomena and Electives) Electromagnetism CULTURAL LITERACY (6 courses) Humanities I and II. Preferably select a set (e.g., REQUIRED ELECTIVES HI 201/202). However, a combination (e.g., PO (6 courses) 201 + HI 214) is acceptable. Hum. I: HI 201, PO 201, HI 213 CJ 109: Crime and Society Hum. II: HI 202, PO 202, HI 214, HI 262 CJ 208: Crime Lab Humanities III: Great Works of Art & Music CJ 260: Law Enforcement (See Master Schedule of Day Classes) CJ 360: Forensics and Criminal
    [Show full text]
  • Forensic Entomology: the Use of Insects in the Investigation of Homicide and Untimely Death Q
    If you have issues viewing or accessing this file contact us at NCJRS.gov. Winter 1989 41 Forensic Entomology: The Use of Insects in the Investigation of Homicide and Untimely Death by Wayne D. Lord, Ph.D. and William C. Rodriguez, Ill, Ph.D. reportedly been living in and frequenting the area for several Editor’s Note weeks. The young lady had been reported missing by her brother approximately four days prior to discovery of her Special Agent Lord is body. currently assigned to the An investigation conducted by federal, state and local Hartford, Connecticut Resident authorities revealed that she had last been seen alive on the Agency ofthe FBi’s New Haven morning of May 31, 1984, in the company of a 30-year-old Division. A graduate of the army sergeant, who became the primary suspect. While Univercities of Delaware and considerable circumstantial evidence supported the evidence New Hampshin?, Mr Lordhas that the victim had been murdered by the sergeant, an degrees in biology, earned accurate estimation of the victim’s time of death was crucial entomology and zoology. He to establishing a link between the suspect and the victim formerly served in the United at the time of her demise. States Air Force at the Walter Several estimates of postmortem interval were offered by Army Medical Center in Reed medical examiners and investigators. These estimates, Washington, D.C., and tire F however, were based largely on the physical appearance of Edward Hebert School of the body and the extent to which decompositional changes Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland. had occurred in various organs, and were not based on any Rodriguez currently Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role and Impact of Forensic Evidence in the Criminal Justice System, Final Report
    The author(s) shown below used Federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Justice and prepared the following final report: Document Title: The Role and Impact of Forensic Evidence in the Criminal Justice System, Final Report Author: Tom McEwen, Ph.D. Document No.: 236474 Date Received: November 2011 Award Number: 2006-DN-BX-0095 This report has not been published by the U.S. Department of Justice. To provide better customer service, NCJRS has made this Federally- funded grant final report available electronically in addition to traditional paper copies. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Institute for Law and Justice, Inc. 1219 Prince Street, Suite 2 Alexandria, Virginia Phone: 703-684-5300 The Role and Impact of Forensic Evidence in the Criminal Justice System Final Report December 13, 2010 Prepared by Tom McEwen, PhD Prepared for National Institute of Justice Office of Justice Programs U.S. Department of Justice This document is a research report submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice. This report has not been published by the Department. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • A Simplified Guide to DNA Evidence Introduction
    A Simplified Guide To DNA Evidence Introduction The establishment of DNA analysis within the criminal justice system in the mid-1980s revolutionized the field of forensic science. With subsequent refinement of DNA analysis methods in crime laboratories, even minute amounts of blood, saliva, semen, skin cells or other biological material may be used to develop investigative leads, link a perpetrator or victim to a crime scene, or confirm or disprove an account of the crime. Because of the accuracy and reliability of forensic DNA analysis, this evidence has also become an invaluable tool for exonerating individuals who have been wrongfully convicted. The successes of DNA evidence in criminal trials has captured more than headlines, however—it has captured the public’s imagination as well. Jurors now increasingly expect DNA evidence to be presented in a wider array of cases, even when other types of evidence may be more valuable to the investigation. Principles of DNA Evidence DNA is sometimes referred to as a “genetic blueprint” because it contains the instructions that govern the development of an organism. Characteristics such as hair color, eye color, height and other physical features are all determined by genes that reside in just 2% of human DNA. This portion is called the coding region because it provides the instructions for proteins to create these features. The other 98% of human DNA is considered non- coding and the scientific community has only recently begun to identify its functions. Forensic scientists, however, use this non-coding DNA in criminal investigations. Inside this region of DNA are unique repeating patterns that can be used to differentiate one person from another.
    [Show full text]
  • Landscape Study of Alternate Light Sources January 2018 January 2018 Sq
    Landscape Study of Alternate Light Sources January 2018 January 2018 sq FTCoE Contact: Landscape Study of Jeri Ropero-Miller, PhD, F-ABFT Director, FTCoE Alternate Light Sources [email protected] NIJ Contact: Gerald LaPorte, MSFS Director, Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences [email protected] 0 Landscape Study of Alternate Light Sources January 2018 Technical Contacts Rebecca Shute, MS [email protected] Ashley Cochran, MS [email protected] Richard Satcher, MS, MBA [email protected] Acknowledgments We would like to offer our sincerest thanks to Heidi Nichols, CFPH and Detective Sergeant Kyle King, who have provided guidance throughout the development of this report and have ensured accuracy and objectivity. Ms. Nichols graciously provided photos for this report to demonstrate the use of ALS in a forensic setting. The authors would also like to thank Dr. Antonio Cantu for his thoughtful review of this landscape report and for providing valuable feedback, which we believe strengthens the report. Dr. Cantu was the chief forensic scientist for the U.S. Secret Service until he retired in 2007. Public Domain Notice All material appearing in this publication is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). However, this publication may not be reproduced or distributed for a fee without the specific, written authorization of DOJ. This publication must be reproduced and distributed in its entirety, and may not be altered or edited in any way. Citation of the source is appreciated. Electronic copies of this publication can be downloaded from the FTCoE website at http://www.forensiccoe.org/.
    [Show full text]