The Basics of Investigating Forensic Science

A Laboratory Manual

Kathy Mirakovits, Gina Londino-Smolar

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9780367251536
• eBook ISBN: 9781000408577
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Law
• Subtopic: Criminal Law
• Index: Law

The Basics of Investigating Forensic Science: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition presents foundational concepts in forensic science through hands-on laboratory techniques and engaging exercises. The text offers numerous lab projects on a range of subjects including fingerprinting, shoeprint analysis, firearms, pathology, anthropology, forensic biology and DNA, drugs, trace evidence analysis, and more.

This Second Edition is fully updated to include extensive full-color photos and diagrams to reflect current best-practices focussing on laboratory procedure, techniques, and interpretation of results. Each laboratory illustrates processes and concepts, and how the equipment should be set up for a given exercise. Many of the exercises can be done with minimal laboratory equipment and material while certain exercises also have additional options and advanced lab exercises—for those education institutions with access to more specialized or advance laboratory equipment. While the sequencing of laboratory exercises in the book is designed to follow The Basics textbook, the lab exercises are intentionally modular can be performed in any sequence desired by an instructor.

The Basics of Investigating Forensic Science, Second Edition is an excellent resource for introduction to forensic sciences courses, including the companion textbook it was designed to accompany, Forensic Science: The Basics, Fourth Edition (ISBN: 9780367251499). The book can be used alongside any textbook, and even serve as a stand-alone text for two- and four-year college programs, as well as course at the high school level.

Unit 1

Forensic Science and Crime Scene Investigation

Lab 1
Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation

Solving the Puzzle

1.1 Introduction

Crime scene investigation is problem solving. Something has occurred that is out of the ordinary, and those given the task of investigating were not present to witness the event. A team of forensic scientists reconstruct what could have occurred based on evidence left behind at the scene. In order to do so, the team must work together as a cohesive unit, with each member contributing his or her individual talents and expertise to the investigation.

Effective investigations follow documented procedures that can be explained in court. In scientific investigations, the recommended procedure that is followed is termed the scientific protocol. Protocols for the collection of individual evidence from the scene are rules for proper handling of evidence so that it is not compromised or contaminated. A crime scene team has a standard operating procedure or protocol established for how a scene is processed. When all team members follow the same set of guidelines or protocol, everyone understands his or her role in the investigation and the team works more efficiently and effectively.

In this laboratory activity, you will be presented with a problem—a puzzle that needs to be put together. As a team, you are to solve the problem of putting the puzzle back together, but more importantly, the team needs to think out how it goes about completing the task.

1.2 Pre-Laboratory Questions

1. What is a protocol?
2. Why is a protocol necessary in problem solving?
3. Why is it beneficial to have more than one person investigating a crime scene?
4. Is following a procedure unique to crime scene investigation? Explain.

1.3 Scenario

Police recovered a picture that has been reduced to individually shaped pieces. Your team must restore the picture to its original state. As you complete the task, answer the questions listed in the procedure.

1.4 Materials

• Puzzle in a box
• Pencil or pen

1.5 Procedure

1. Before beginning the exercise, discuss the methods that can be used to solve a puzzle. Design a plan that the team will use to complete the puzzle. Record the plan in Section 1.7, Part A.
2. As you put the puzzle together, discuss as a team how completing the puzzle is similar to investigating a crime scene. List these in Worksheet 1.7, Part B.
3. As you put the puzzle together, discuss as a team how completing the puzzle is different from investigating a crime scene. List these in Worksheet 1.7, Part C.
4. After completing the puzzle, review any problems or changes to the plan that had to be made. List these in Worksheet 1.7, Part D.

1.6 Follow-Up Questions

1. Class discussion: Share your team’s plan, changes to your plan, and the similarities and differences in crime scene investigation with the class.
2. Complete the Venn diagram.

1.6.1 Venn Diagram

3. In this exercise, solving a puzzle is compared to investigating a crime scene. Comment on the similarities and differences between what was done in the activity and the methods used to conduct any scientific investigation.

1.7 Worksheet

Discussion Points—Putting a Puzzle Together

Introduction to Forensic Investigation: Basic Problem-Solving Exercise
Team members:
Part A: Puzzle plan
Part B: Similarities
Part C: Differences
Part D: Review

Lab 2
Locard’s Exchange Principle

Transfer of Evidence

Wherever he steps, whatever he touches, whatever he leaves, even unconsciously, will serve as a silent witness against him. Not only his fingerprints or his footprints, but his hair, the fibers from his clothes, the glass he breaks, the tool mark he leaves, the paint he scratches, the blood or semen he deposits or collects. All of these and more bear mute witness against him. This is evidence that does not forget. It is not confused by the excitement of the moment. It is not ab...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-Title
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• Authors
• Unit 1 Forensic Science and Crime Scene Investigation
• Unit 2 Patterns and Impressions
• Unit 3 Forensic Biology
• Unit 4 Forensic Chemistry
• Unit 5 Forensic Physics
• Bibliography
• Index