Transcript CHPT 1 Notes).ppt

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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, 2e
Chapter 1
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Chapter 1 Observation Skills
By the end of this chapter you will be able to:
1.1 Define observation and describe what
changes occur in the brain while observing.
1.2 Describe examples of factors influencing
eyewitness accounts of events.
1.3 Compare the reliability of eyewitness
testimony with what actually happened.
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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, 2e
Chapter 1
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Cengage/NGL/South-Western © 2016
Chapter 1 Observation Skills
By the end of this chapter you will be able to:
1.4 Relate observation skills to their use in
forensic science.
1.5 Define forensic science.
1.6 Practice and improve your own observation
skills.
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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, 2e
Chapter 1
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Chapter 1
Vocabulary
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analytical skills
deductive reasoning
eyewitness
fact
forensic
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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, 2e
Chapter 1
logical
observations
opinion
perception
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Introduction
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A forensic investigator must be able to
clearly:
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Observe
Interpret
Report
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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, 2e
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What Is Observation? (continued)
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What Is Observation? (continued)
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Our brains selectively take in information.
We unconsciously apply filters.
Paying attention to the details of your
surroundings requires a conscious effort.
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What Is Observation? (continued)
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Perception is
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Limited
Faulty
Not always accurate
Not always reflective of reality
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Observations by Witnesses
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Observations are affected by:
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Emotional states
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Whether you are alone or with a group of people
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The number of people and/or animals in the area
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The type of activity that is going on around you
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How much activity is occurring around you
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Chapter 1
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Eyewitness Accounts
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Eyewitness accounts of crime sceneevents vary considerably based on:
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Level of interest
Stress
Concentration
The amount and kind of distractions
present
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Eyewitness Accounts (continued)
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Prejudices
Personal beliefs
Motives
Any lapse in time since the event
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The Innocence Project
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Created by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J.
Neufeld in 1992
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Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
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Chapter 1
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The Innocence Project (continued)
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Used DNA to examine post-conviction
cases to conclusively decide guilt or
innocence
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Faulty eyewitness identification accounted
for up to 87% of wrongful convictions
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Chapter 1
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How to be a Good Observer
1. Observe systematically
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Start at one part of a crime scene and run
your eyes slowly over every space.
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Look carefully at everything you see.
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When examining a piece of evidence on a
microscope slide, look systematically in every
part of the evidence.
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Chapter 1
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How to be a Good Observer
(continued)
2. Turn off filters.
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Consciously observe everything.
Act like a data-gathering robot.
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Chapter 1
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How to be a Good Observer
(continued)
3. Avoid jumping to conclusions.
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Concentrate on gathering all of the available
information.
Leave the interpretation until all information is
gathered.
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How to be a Good Observer
(continued)
4. Compensate for faulty memories.
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Write down and photograph as much information as
possible.
Documentation is also important when acting as an
expert witness.
Even the verbal testimony of a forensic scientist
requires proper documentation.
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Observations in Forensics
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Forensic science
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Is strictly concerned with uncovering
evidence that stands as fact
Uses science to help in legal matters, such
as crimes
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Observations in Forensics
(continued)
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A forensic investigator
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Is not interested in making the suspect look
guilty
Is only interested in collecting and
examining physical evidence
Reports evidence to investigators and
courts
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What Forensic Scientists Do
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Find, examine, and evaluate evidence
from a crime scene
Apply scientific knowledge to analyze
the crime scene
Be a persuasive communicator who is
able to convince a jury that his/her
analysis is both reliable and accurate
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Summary
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Our ability to observe is affected by our
environment and the natural filters of sensory
information in our brains.
The observations of witnesses to crimes can
be faulty, but in some cases can be precise.
The Innocence Project has found that up to
87 percent of their wrongful conviction cases
resulted from flawed eyewitness testimony.
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Summary (continued)
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Police officers and crime-scene
investigators are trained in good
observation practices.
Forensic scientists find, examine,
photograph, document, and evaluate
evidence from a crime scene and
provide expert testimony to courts.
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Chapter 1
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