Chapter 1

Observation Skills

“In school, every period ends with a bell. Every sentence ends with a period. Every crime ends with a sentence.”

Stephen Wright, comedian

Was someone stealing the trees?

Read case – page 2Answer the following

questions:1. List all the evidence that

was found in this case.2. What evidence was the

most valuable in convicting the suspect?

3. What tools did the investigator used to gather evidence?

Objectives1.1 Define observation and describe what changes occur in the brain. 1.2 Describe examples of factors influencing eyewitness accounts of events. 1.3 Compare the reliability of eyewitness testimony with what actually happened. 1.4 Relate observation skills to their use in forensic science. 1.5 Define forensic science .1.6 Practice and improve your observation skills.

Introduction

Observe

Interpret

Report observations

What is Observation?

Our sensesSight Taste

HearingSmellTouch

Why are we not aware of all the information our senses are gathering at any time?•We cannot pay attention to everything at once.•We apply a filter.•We pay attention to what is important to us.

Sometimes our brains play tricks on us.

Filter

How information is processed in the brain:

Observations by Witnesses

• Key component of any crime scene.• Perceptions of witnesses can be

faulty.• Our emotional state influences our

ability to see or hear what is happening around us.– Upset, happy, depressed– Anxiety, fear, etc.

The success of a police lineup depends on an eyewitness’s ability to recognize a person seen at a

crime.

Power of Observation

Activity

Test your Memory

Classwork - Eyewitness

1. Make a list of factors that could affect our observational skills .

2. Explain why eyewitness accounts of a crime often differ.

3. Define observation in your own words.4. Which factors could affect witness

accounts?5. Name 3 ways you can use to improve

your observation skills?

Eyewitness Accounts

• Observational Skills Activity • Learning to See – C lick Here

Activities

Activity 1-1 Learning To See – page 15

Activities

Activity 1-2 You’re an Eyewitness– page 16

Gary Dotson was the first

individual shown to be innocent by

The Innocent Project.

Read the story of Gary Dotson

Click

↑↑HereHere

The Innocence Project

The Innocence Project

Click here to connect

to website

Classwork: How to be a good observer?

• Make a summary of basic tips to improve our observational skills.

• (Refer to pages 7-8)

Faces Exercise

Observations in Forensics

Forensic Science is the study and application of science to matters of law. “Science in the service of law”

Is the scientific study of evidence to discover the facts in a criminal or civil manner.

The word forensic is derived from the Latin “forensis” meaning forum, a public place where, in Roman times, senators and others debated and held judicial proceedings.

The term forensics and criminalistics can be used interchangeably.

Classwork:What Forensic Scientists Do?

1. Read Page 9 and make a list of what forensic scientists do. (Use bullets)

2. What does the letters CSI stand for?3. What is the difference between a fact and an

opinion? Give an example. (not found in textbook)

4. What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative data? Give an example. (not found in textbook)

5. Work will be grade it. Don’t forget to turn it in.

Classwork: Case Studies and Review

1. Read “The Carlo Ferrier” and “Three Wrongful Conviction” case studies. State in your own words how eyewitness evidence impacted each case. (Pages 10-11)

2. Copy and answer the review questions. (Pages 13-14)

3. Turn in your classwork.