Introduction to Forensic Science and Observation

What is the purpose of forensic science?

• To collect evidence

• To provide expert testimony to courts

• To solve legal matters

• To interpret eyewitness accounts

What is observation?

• The process of reporting findings to law enforcement

• The process of acquiring information from the senses

• The process of collecting DNA evidence

• The process of interpreting evidence

Why are our senses not aware of all the information they gather?

• We have limited sensory abilities

• We apply a filter based on our interests

• Our senses are faulty

• We cannot pay attention to everything at once

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What is the purpose of testing short-term memory in forensic science?

• To understand the limitations of human memory

• To identify factors that affect observational skills

• To determine the accuracy of witness accounts

• To assess the validity of eyewitness testimony

How do we overcome the problems with observation?

• By interpreting information before gathering all available data

• By depending on memory and not writing down evidence

• By turning off our filters and acting like data-gathering robots

• By examining the place randomly

What is the purpose of the Innocence Project?

• To collect evidence from crime scenes

• To provide expert testimony to courts

• To determine the guilt or innocence of suspects

• To re-examine old cases using DNA evidence

What is the difference between fact and opinion in forensic science?

• Opinions are expert testimony, facts are perceptions of events

• Facts are thoughts and feelings, opinions are true statements

• Facts are true statements that can be tested, opinions are thoughts and feelings

• Facts cannot be tested, opinions can be proven

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What is inductive reasoning in forensic science?

• Using theory to explain observations

• Using specific observations to determine a generalization or conclusion

• Reconstructing events based on evidence found at a crime scene

• Explaining who likely committed a crime based on forensic theory

What is deductive reasoning in forensic science?

• Using specific observations to determine a generalization or conclusion

• Using theory to explain observations

• Explaining who likely committed a crime based on forensic theory

• Reconstructing events based on evidence found at a crime scene

What have the Innocence Project found about wrongful convictions?

• Up to 87 percent resulted from lack of expert testimony

• Up to 87 percent resulted from inaccurate DNA evidence

• Up to 87 percent resulted from faulty forensic evidence

• Up to 87 percent resulted from flawed eyewitness testimony