CRIM 318 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Modus Operandi, Corpus Delicti, Forensic Science
26 Jun 2017
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Document Summary
Belief that physical evidence is always possible in criminal investigation. If case is delayed, blame the investigation team. Belief that one or two people can handle. In reality, it"s done by team of individuals. Spend majority of time applying principles and methodologies of discipline. Analysis of physical evidence, providing expert testimony to the court, collection of evidence. Any or all of material object used to establish fact in criminal case. Bullet casings, bone fragments, dental crown, matches, fly maggots. Directly related to violent act or results from crime. Corpus delicti -with physical evidence prove the elements of a case to jury brd. Proving something true is different than what scientist used to do with scientific method. Entomological trace evidence -fly spots, insect artifacts, frass by necrophagous insects. Accounting -form of paperwork, complete flow chart showing who and where evidences are kept. Individuals responsible for maintaining continuity is called chain of custody. Make the process so that others can scrutinize.
