Unit 1: Observations

1. x Unit 1: Observations Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

2. Introduction The forensic examiner must be able to • find—identify the evidence • document—record the evidence • interpret—accurately determine the significance of the evidence Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

3. What is Observation? • We find evidence through observation. • Observation is gathering information about what is around us through our senses—sight, taste, hearing, smell, and touch. • HOWEVER……….. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

4. What is Observation? • We are always gathering information about what is around us BUT.. • We cannot pay attention to everything at once. • Our brains unconsciously apply filters by paying attention to things that are more likely to be important. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

5. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

6. What Is Observation? Our brains can filter out information. Point out some of the details in this photo. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

7. What is Observation? • How many F’s are there in the sentence below? Count only ONCE. • FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

8. What is Observation? • There are 6 • FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS. • Most people filter out 3—the word “of” is not as important so the F’s are not noticed. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

9. What is Observation? • Our observations are influenced by perceptions. • Perception is the way we view our surrounding and may not accurately reflect what is really there. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

10. What Is Observation? Our brains fill in gaps in our perception • In order to make sense of what we perceive, our brains often enrich with detail what we see, taste, hear, smell, or feel • After an event, we can believe things were part of the background even though they were not Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

11. What Is Observation? How information is processed in the brain Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

12. What Is Observation? Our brains apply previous knowledgeto new situations What assumptions can you make about this scene? How might those assumptions be wrong? Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

13. Observations by Witnesses Observations are affected by: • Their emotional states • Whether they were alone, part of a group, or near others • What type of and how much activity was going on around them Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

14. Eyewitness Accounts • Crime-scene reports often vary, due to: • level of interest • stress • concentration • amount and kind of distractions present • prejudices • personal beliefs • motives • any lapse in time since the event Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

15. The Innocence Project • Created by Barry C. Scheck and Peter J. Neufeld at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University, NY. • Beginning in 1992, used DNA to examine post-conviction cases • Faulty eyewitness identifications accounted for up to 87% of the wrongful convictions Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

16. How to be a Good Observer Observe systematically • Start at one part of a crime scene and run your eyes slowly over every space • Look carefully at details of each piece of evidence • Do not assume you will remember everything Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

17. How to be a Good Observer Turn off filters • Consciously pay attention to all details • Do not pay attention to just what you think is important • All details are potentially important Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

18. How to be a Good Observer Collect Information first, interpret data later • Look for patterns and make connections • More information yields better interpretations • Prejudices exist everywhere— • eyewitness accounts • your own thinking processes Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

19. How to be a Good Observer Documentation, Documentation, Documentation • Write down and photograph as much information as possible • Be aware that memory is faulty • Remember that our brains tend to fill in gaps in our perceptions Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

20. Observations in Forensics • Study situations • Find clues in ordinary details • Work backwards from the evidence to what led up to the crime • Be patient • Practice Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary. . . . • The environment and our natural sensory filters affect our ability to observe • Eyewitness reports can be correct, faulty, or a little of both • Acquiring good observation skills takes practice and training Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary • Forensic scientists: • Find and Document Evidence • Evaluate and Interpret • Provide expert testimony to courts Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 1

23. A test of yourobservationskills… Contributions by D. Padilla, D. Johnson, & E. Marconi For more optical illusions go to: http://www.123opticalillusions.com/

24. Inferences „ Logical interpretation based upon prior knowledge and experience „ Based upon observations „Example: When room, you most the individual in is the teacher. you entered the likely inferred that the front of the room

25. Note the Differences • In laboratory exercises, record observations NOT inferences • Inferences may be used when writing report. the conclusion in your lab • Let’stest yourobservationskills…

26. Take a good look at this picture

27. Question 1 Are there cars parked on the sides of the road?

28. Question 2 What color is the pickup truck driving in the road?

29. Question Any minivans around? 3

30. Question 4 What doesthe bluesignsay?

31. Question What's the speed limit? 5

32. Question 6 Are thereanypedestriansonthe road?

34. Answers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Yes Blue Yes Yard Sale 35 mph No

36. Observation Activity #2 • Choose several people to be observers and choose two people to be investigators. Allow the observers to look at the picturefor 30 seconds. The investigators should not look at the picture. After 30 seconds, the investigators should begin questioning the observers. Each Investigator should question each observer. Then, the Investigators should attempt to reconstruct the scene based on the "eyewitness testimony". • •

38. Questions Asked • How many cars were in the intersection? Answer: 2 Across the street, are there any parked cars on the side? Yes Can you describe at least one of the cars driving through the intersection? Are there any other potential witnesses? If they answer yes, ask the following question: What was this witness doing? Where was he? They should have noticed a person mowing a lawn across the street. What was the speed limit? 35 Was there anyone parked in the first parking spot? No • • • • •

39. Observation vs Inference • On the next slide, state whether the statement is an observation or an inference.

40. 1. There is a representation of a face on one side of the coin. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The The The The The Latin word "Dei" means "God." coin was made by deeply religious people. date 1722 is printed on one side of the coin. coin was made in 1722. face on the coin is a representation of the nation's president.

41. How many legs does the elephant have?

42. What do you see?

43. Who is in this picture? • • Do you see former President Bill Clinton and Al Gore? Actually, it’s Clinton’s face twice with 2 different hair cuts!

44. What do you see? Hint: There are 3 images. 1. 2. An old lady A young woman A man with a big brown mustache 3.

45. Takeaverycloselookat the 2verticallines. Is one line is longer than the other? They are the SAMElength!

46. Compare this picture to the next one…

47. What’s the difference?

48. What do you see?

49. Can you build these shelves?

50. Does the square have curved sides?