Forensic Science

CSILaband
Careers
Inschool,everyperiodendswithabell.Everysentenceends
withaperiod.Everycrimeendswithasentence.
StephenWright,comedian

Crime Scene Team

Agroupofprofessionalinvestigators,eachtrainedina
varietyofspecialdisciplines
Teammembers:
Firstpoliceofficeronthescene
Medics(ifnecessary)
Investigators
Medicalexaminerorrepresentative(ifnecessary)
Photographerand/orfieldevidencetechnician
Labexperts:
pathologist
DNAexpert
Toxicologist
fingerprintexpert
forensicodontologist
forensicanthropologist
forensicpsychologist
forensicentomologist
firearmexaminer
bombandarsonexperts
document&handwritingexperts
serologist

Major Federal Crime

Labs
TheFBI(DepartmentofJustice)maintainsthelargest

crimelaboratoryintheworld.
TheDrugEnforcementAdministrationLaboratories
(DepartmentofJustice)areresponsiblefortheanalysisof
drugsseizedinviolationoffederallawsregulatingthe
production,sale,andtransportationofdrugs.
ThelaboratoriesoftheBureauofAlcohol,Tobacco,
FirearmsandExplosives(DepartmentofJustice)have
responsibilityforanalyzingalcoholicbeveragesand
documentsrelatingtotaxlawenforcementandfor
examiningweapons,explosivedevices,andrelated
evidencereceivedinconjunctionwithenforcementofthe
GunControlActof1968andtheOrganizedCrimeControl
Actof1970.
TheU.S.PostalInspectionServicemaintainslaboratories
concernedwithcriminalinvestigationsrelatingtothe
postalservice.

Basic Services Provided by the Crime Lab

Physical science unit
Chemistry
Physics
Geology
Biology unit
Firearms and ballistics unit
Document examination unit
Photography unit
The most common types of evidence examined are drugs,
firearms, and fingerprints.

OptionalServicesofaCrimeLab
Crimelabscanbegovernmentrunatthe
federal,state,orlocallevel,ortheycanbe
privateconsultingbusinesses.
Toxicology unit
Latent fingerprint unit
Polygraph unit
Voiceprint analysis unit
Evidence collection unit
Engineering

EvidenceCollection
Unit
CSIstrainedtocollect
evidenceatthecrime
scene

Whataresomeofthe
forensicscience
specialties?

Biology Unit
Analyzes DNA,
blood, body fluids,
hair, fibers, wood,
and plants.

Forensic Pathologist
Amedicaldoctorwho
performsautopsiesto
determinecauseofdeath.
Autopsiesareperformed
duringtheinvestigationof
sudden,unnatural,
unexplained,orviolent
deaths.AlsocalledMedical
Examiners.

Forensic Psychologist
ForensicPsychiatryinvolvestheassessmentand
treatmentofmentallyabnormaloffenders,aswellasthe
legalaspectsofpsychiatry.Thisincludesknowledgeof
thelawrelatingtoordinarypsychiatricpractice,civillaw
andissuesofcriminalresponsibility.
ForensicPsychologyinvolvestheapplicationof
psychologicalknowledge,theoryandskillstothe
understandingandfunctioningofthelegalandcriminal
justicesystem.Forensicpsychologyencompasses
psychologyandthelaw,thepsychologyofpoliceand
policing,corrections,parole,victimservices,addiction
servicesandfamilyservices.Italsocoversactivities
relatedtolawenforcementandtheassessmentand
treatmentofjuvenileandadultoffenders.

Criminalistics or Criminology?
Criminalistics
The scientific examination of physical
evidence for legal purposes
Criminology
Includes the psychological angle: studying
the crime scene for motive, traits, and
behavior that will help to interpret the
evidence

Forensic Anthropologist
Identifies,examinesandreconstructshuman
bones;determinesgender,age,&causeof
death.

Forensic Odontologist (Dentist)

Helps identify bodies by
looking at their teeth.
Identificationofvictimswhenthe
bodyisleftinanunrecognizablestate
bytheirteeth,thealignment,and
overallstructureofthemouth.

Forensic Nurse
Provides treatment for
crime victims. They are
especially needed in
emergency rooms to
gather and package
criminal evidence.

Wildlife Forensic Scientist

Forensic scientists who track down criminals
who harm wild animals.

Forensic Entomologist
Studyofinsectsandtheirrelationtoa
criminalinvestigation.Uses insects that
inhabit decomposing bodies to determine
time of death.

Forensic Toxicologist
Analyses alcohol, drugs, & poisons in body
fluids for the benefit of the courts.

CriminalistAnalyzes,
compares,identifies,&
interpretsphysicalevidence
atcrimescenes.Physical
atcrimescenes.
ScienceUnitAnalyzes
drugs,glass,paint,
explosives,andsoil.

Forensic Engineer
Investigates & reports on accidents or
structural failures that may have criminal
implications.

Digital Imagery Reconstruction:

Use of computer superimposes photo of
skull with outer skin.

Facial reconstruction technique used

by forensic artists.

Some forensic scientists

participate in high profile
cases and become famous.

Meet Dr. Henry Lee--one of the worlds

most renowned forensic pathologists.

The Inspector
hopes you
enjoyed learning
about the world
of forensic
science.