The document outlines the agenda for a week-long course on contextualizing forensic science. Day 1 introduces forensic science and Locard's principle of exchange of evidence. Day 2 covers fingerprints and impression evidence. Day 3 provides an overview of forensic biology and DNA analysis techniques. Day 4 discusses laboratory safety principles and quality management systems. Day 5 defines forensic toxicology and examines dose-response relationships and specimen collection.

1. “ Contextualising Forensic Science” Masuma Ahmed-Ali BSc (Hons) MSc PgCLTHE & Victoria Halliday BSc (Hons) MSc PgCLTHE Abu Dhabi Police 8 th February 2009 Translated by: Bashar Sasa

2. Timetable for the week Day 1- Contextualising Forensic Science Introduction to the week Define forensic science Importance of Locard’s principle Discuss issues relevant to forensic science

3. Day 2- Fingerprints and other impression evidence Introduce mark and impression evidence Discuss the different types of mark and impression evidence Examine the significance of such evidence

4. Day 3-Forensic Biology Provide an overview of forensic biology Discuss the identification of body fluids Discuss the techniques employed in the production of a DNA profile

5. Day 4- Laboratory Safety and Management Principles of laboratory practice Quality Management System for Testing Laboratories & ISO 17025/2005 requirements Health and Safety requirements for Testing Laboratories

6. Day 5- Forensic Toxicology & Plenary Session Define Forensic Analytical Toxicology (FAT) Discuss the relationship of FAT with Clinical Analytical Toxicology (CAT) and Performance Analytical Toxicology (PAT) Dose Response Relationship and Therapeutic Index Specimen Collection and specific examples

7. Day 1-Learning Outcomes Participants will be able to: Provide a definition of forensic science Have an insight into the developmental history of forensic science Understand the variety of disciplines available in forensic science Appreciate the main principles of forensic science including Locard’s principle, continuity and contamination

8. Ice Breaker

9. Get the person sitting next to you to answer the following questions: What is your name? What department do you work in? How long have you worked in the department? Then tell us…..

10. What is Forensic Science? Derived from the Latin word forensis which means “of the forum” Is the study and application of science to the processes of law Science + Circumstance

11. History Mathiew Orfila Considered Father of Toxicology – published book (1813) Sir Edward Henry Introduced Fingerprint Bureau to UK (1901) Edmund Locard Principle of Exchange of Evidence Established First Police Crime Laboratory (1910) Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys Developed first DNA profiling test (1984) used in a criminal investigation (1986) (www.forensicdna.com)

12. Disciplines in Forensic Science Common evidence types Fingerprints Drugs Firearms Toxicology Trace Evidence Tool marks Documents Fire Investigation Specialisms Biology Chemistry Odontology Geology Archaeology Entomology Psychology Customs and Excise The list goes on…….

13. Forensic Biology Molecular biology DNA analysis Botany Plants Fungus Pollen Bacteria and Viruses Entomology

14. Forensic Chemistry Drugs Toxicology Fibre analysis Paint analysis Glass analysis Accelerants Fake goods

15. Forensic Science in the UK Providers in England and Wales FSS LGC Forensics Independent Laboratories Providers in Scotland Laboratories are linked to specific Police Forces

16. Forensic Science in the UK Scientific Support Includes Crime Scene Investigators, Fingerprint Bureau, Photographers Usually sit in Police Forces Others Crown Prosecution Service (Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) Home Office Pathologists/Coroners Office Forensic Medical Examiners

17. Role of the forensic scientist in the UK At the crime scene rarely In the laboratory It depends In the court room Expert Witness

18. Locard’s Principle “ every contact leaves a trace” What is a crime scene? Crime Scene Victim Suspect

19. What is a crime scene? Location where event took place e.g. Can be a vehicle Inside a building Out in the open air Can even be the victim

20. What is Evidence? Specifically physical evidence Evidence can determine: whether a crime has been committed what was involved e.g. a vehicle identify who was involved with the crime Evidence CAN prove a suspect is guilty or show that some or no link is present between the suspect and the crime

21. Type of Evidence Type of evidence determines the type of analysis that is carried out Analysis needs to be relevant to the circumstances surrounding the crime

22. Collection & Preservation of Evidence Crime scene must be thoroughly documented, photographed & sketched before any collection of evidence takes place Physical evidence must be handled & processed in a way that the evidence remains in an unaltered condition, from crime scene to the laboratory- PRESERVATION Evidence should be submitted intact- blood, fibres, hairs and soil should not be removed unless necessary

23. Collection & Preservation of Evidence Compromise of physical evidence Breakage Evaporation Accidental scratching Bending Contamination Loss of evidence

24. Collection & Preservation of Evidence Documentation of the evidence Collecting person’s initials Date and time Description of the evidence Location of the evidence Investigating agency & reference/case number

25. Collection & Preservation of Evidence Chain of custody List of persons who came into possession of an item of evidence Need to know what happened to the evidence from the time of its finding to its presentation in court May be required to testify in court Authenticity & Integrity of evidence Kept to minimum to avoid confusion

26. Collection & Preservation of Evidence Equipment used to collect evidence Forceps, tweezers, scalpels, spoons etc Packaging Paper containers- packets, envelopes, bags Vials- unbreakable, leak-proof containers (liquid items) Airtight containers Unbreakable plastic containers (various sizes) Carefully folded paper- “druggist fold/ beechams wrap”

27. Collection & Preservation of Evidence Collection of Evidence Fingerprints/palmprints/footprints- photograph before making impression, lifting tape/paper attached to tape Questioned documents- suitable container. Fibres/hair- small plastic container, folded paper with sealed edges Broken fingernails- paper packet then in a paper envelope

28. Collection & Preservation of Evidence Collection of Evidence Glass- separate questioned from known. Pack in cotton in sturdy container to prevent further breakage or damage. Label “Fragile” Firearms- firearm safety! Wrapped in a paper & place in cardboard/wooden box. Ammunition & casings should be packed separately in small cardboard pill boxes Soil samples- collect samples ASAP from immediate crime scene & areas etc. Plastic vial

29. Collection & Preservation of Evidence Collection of Evidence Blood evidence Liquid known samples- leak proof vials. Pack in cotton/paper. Refridgerate Liquid unknown samples- absorb onto sterile gauze and let dry Dry stains- plastic vial, keep dry Stained clothing- wrap each article separately. Place in box to prevent shifting. If wet when found, air dry by hanging

30. Collection & Preservation of Evidence Submission of Controls Example 1- blood/ hair from suspect, that can be compared to crime scene evidence Example 2- buccal swabs from crime scene personnel Need to take samples of environment

31. Issues- Contamination Discredits the integrity of the evidence Should be avoided How? Robust evidence recovery procedures E.g. Secure Packaging Rigorous examination procedures in the laboratory

32. Issues- Continuity Chain of custody Documented proof that the integrity of an item, that may be submitted to the court in future is intact

33. Analysis of Evidence Divided into those that are examined In-force externally by a forensic science provider In-force examinations are generally limited to the analysis of impression marks e.g. fingerprints

34. Analysis of Evidence Fingermarks not visible to the naked eye are called latent marks. Can be developed at the scene using powders May require chemical enhancement (can be done at the scene, although usually done in a laboratory)

35. Analysis of Evidence The type of chemical used may include: Amido black if the fingerprints have been left deposited in blood Superglue may develop fingermarks on a black bin bag Crime Scene marks are passed to the Fingerprint Bureau where they will be compared to suspects or put on IDENT1(national automated fingerprint identification system)

36. Analysis of Evidence Other types of Forensic Evidence e.g. blood and hairs are submitted to a forensic provider. Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) may perform presumptive tests at the scene however they must then be sent to the forensic science provider for further analysis

37. Analysis of Evidence Example Blood Use LMG (Leucomalachite Green) at the crime scene to test for presence of blood If positive – can swab and send to Forensic Science provider to obtain DNA profile However can sometimes produce false positives

38. Laboratory Practice Protection (appropriate to the environment) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Face mask Mob cap Lab coat Gloves Foot covers

39. General personal safety Staff are responsible for their own safety and the safety of others Always plan the activity to be carried No eating or drinking Do not apply cosmetics, lick labels, suck pens, pencils or smoke in the laboratory Cuts/abrasions should be covered Wash hands with disinfectant soap

40. Laboratory Practice Anti contamination procedures Wipe down work area with medi-wipes decontaminate all equipment Use disposable consumables Use aseptic techniques

41. Laboratory Practice Miscellaneous Monitoring equipment on daily basis Cleaning Health & safety issues Always have a professional attitude Risk Assessments

42. Individualisation Depending on the type of evidence can individualise or not Fingermarks individualise as no two people have been found to have the same fingerprint DNA profiles can only be expressed as a statistic

43. Interpretation Interpretation is the drawing of rational and balanced inferences from observations, test results and measurements Requires training and experience Need circumstance of crime when interpreting evidence

44. Strength Of Evidence Depends on Evidence type No support Some support Moderate support Strong/extremely strong support Conclusive

45. Presentation of Evidence in the UK Two different forms: Written Statement Can be made in person before the court (if required)

46. Presentation of Evidence in the UK Two main types of criminal court in England and Wales: Magistrates Court Crown Court

47. Presentation of Evidence in the UK More serious crimes go to Crown Court Verdict by a jury Judge who determines sentence If found guilty in Crown Court may be given opportunity to appeal via; Court of Appeal/High Court/House of Lords (not Scotland) (later) Criminal Case Review Board

48. Expert Evidence Mainly evidence of opinion rather than fact Court admits and considers on the basis of the knowledge and experience of the witness

49. Experts in UK Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners (CRFP) Forensic Science Society- Professional Body

50. Any Questions?