Forensic Sciences
Forensic science is utilizing branches of science such as physics, chemistry, and computer sciences for working with legal criminal investigations. Forensic science was found in the 700s used by the Chinese. Of course, it was not high-advanced as it is today. Their key to determining documents and sculptures was observing fingerprints. Today, people who work in this application find and collect, source out the evidence, preserve, analyze, and identify. The judicial system relies firmly on the important discoveries from the various subsections. These subsections can establish almost every detail of a crime. This includes “…the existence of a crime, the perpetrator of a crime, or a connection to a crime through the:
- Examination of physical evidence
- Administration of tests
- Interpretation of data
- Clear and concise reporting
- Truthful testimony of a forensic scientist,” (CrimeSceneInvestigatorEDU).”
A lot of this can be done with the many scientific branches such as chemistry, biology, physics, psychology, etc. This is because these scientific sections are objective on identification and evaluation.
Forensic Anthropology
Forensic anthropologists study human remains that may be found in a crime scene. They may use archaeology to properly find and collect remains. They document and identify the person’s biological profile. (Especially if the body was burnt, mutilated or mummified). This consists their sex, age, ancestry, height, etc based on observations of features and DNA analyses. Anthropology aids to find what happened at crime scenes. An example of a procedure anthropologists use is Carbon dating to find how recent or ancient a subject is.
Criminalistics
Instead of analyzing, identifying, and interpreting bodies, criminalistics do the process with physical objects found on a crime scene. This can include a gun, a shoe, even a pool of blood in a homicidal event. The crucial part of criminalistics is to find facts. “The criminalist may find, for example, that a bullet has been fired from a particular gun, the DNA profile from a bloodstain inside a suspect’s car is the same as the victim’s DNA profile, or that a fragment of paint from the scene of a hit-and-run accident has come from a particular car,” (American Academy of Forensic Sciences). All results from the physical evidence analysis are utilized in felony cases.
Digital & Multimedia Science
Now it’s for the digital side of things! In all probability, most criminals have once accessed the internet or have been profiled online. Digital and Multimedia Sciences can detect digital data on suspects from their social media, IP addresses, messages, etc. Not only is evidence from the online web, but also digital audio, photos, and security camera footage.
Forensic Pathology
Pathologists are well-known for uncovering reasons why an injury or death happened to a victim. They even involve themselves in the examination of the conditions leading to the death of an individual. Knowing about such conditions allows them to conduct autopsies. Autopsies are thorough examinations to come upon the manner of death. Pathology study “fluids taken from the body, such as blood or urine, also provides information about…” (American Academy of Forensic Sciences) the deceased and take note of evidence in crime situations.
Forensic Biology
Without a suspect, it is hard to determine who did the offense. Similar to criminalistics who analyze physical evidence, forensic biology focuses on the DNA analysis to find suspects. They examine the cells and organisms from saliva, hair, blood, seminal under a microscope. Their findings are written in reports to be used in criminal court cases.
Forensic Serology
Serology has a close relationship with forensic biology. Forensic serology focus on only bodily fluids and how they relate to the crime scene. Various of the bodily fluids include “blood, semen, saliva, urine, breast milk, vomit, fecal matter and perspiration,” (Wikipedia — Forensic Serology).
Forensic dentistry (Odontology)
Using dental knowledge, odontologists are able to find culprits of misconduct. Though, they cannot use their knowledge in most cases. Their skills of dentistry are used in cases if victims have bite marks. The indentions in the skin may seem not to hold a lot, but Odontologists are capable of separating bite marks into sections.
- “Haemorrhage: A small bleeding spot.
- Abrasion: Undamaging mark on the skin.
- Contusion: Ruptured blood vessels, bruising.
- Laceration: Punctured or torn skin.
- Incision: Neat puncture of the skin.
- Avulsion: Removal of the skin.
- Artefact: Bitten off piece of body,” (The Forensics Library).
Molds are created to construct the structure of a criminals mouth and are compared to dental data to expose the real offender.
Forensic Psychiatry
Forensic Psychiatrists work with culprit’s mental illnesses and disorders. They assess how their mental state impacted the crime and how it will show up in the court case. When the criminal is sent for time, a forensic psychiatrist is to find which setting would be the safest or even help with the treatment for the criminal’s mental illness. This may be in prison, secure hospitals, or even among the community on probation.
Forensic Psychology
“Forensic psychologists conduct research on criminal behavior and the development of effective clinical treatments,” (Learn How to Become). They are able to evaluate evidence given in court and explain why eye-witnesses point of views could be wrong. The jury may be reminded why testimonies can be unreliable when voting in the case. Psychologists can even determine if an individual is competent to stand the trial. Many prisons hire forensic psychologists to help with delinquents being released from jail time or profile the criminal’s data.
Forensic Toxicology
When a victim’s system has been discovered with toxins in the body, that is when forensic toxicologist come in. “Forensic toxicology is the analysis of biological samples for the presence of toxins, including drugs,” (National Institute of Justice). When studying a case, they must question:
- “Did prescription or illegal drugs cause or contribute to this person’s death?
- Was this person impaired by drugs or alcohol while they were driving? or,
- Was a drug used to facilitate a criminal act?” (American Academy of Forensic Sciences).
These are just the few of the incredible amount of branches of forensic sciences. They each can come together to solve numerous amounts of criminal cases and showcase the evidence in court.
Sources
“American Academy of Forensic Sciences.” American Academy of Forensic Sciences | A Professional Society Dedicated to the Application of Science to the Law, www.aafs.org/home-page/students/choosing-a-career/types-of-forensic-scientists-disciplines-of-aafs/.
“An Introduction to Computer Forensics by Forensic Control.” Forensic Control, forensiccontrol.com/resources/beginners-guide-computer-forensics/.
“Computer Forensics.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 Apr. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_forensics.
“Forensic Archaeology .” Forensic Archaeology, www.exploreforensics.co.uk/forensic-archaeology.html.
Forensic Biology & DNA, ncdoj.gov/About-DOJ/Crime-Lab/Forensic-Biology-and-DNA.aspx.
“Forensic Biology.” Study.com, Study.com, study.com/articles/Become_a_Forensic_Biologist_Education_and_Career_Guide.html.
“Forensic Dentistry.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Apr. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_dentistry.
“Forensic Odontology.” The Forensics Library, aboutforensics.co.uk/forensic-odontology/.
“Forensic Psychiatry .” NHS Choices, NHS, www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/psychiatry/forensic-psychiatry.
“Forensic Science.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Apr. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_science.
“Forensic Sciences.” National Institute of Justice, www.nij.gov/topics/forensics/pages/welcome.aspx.
“Forensic Serology.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Mar. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_serology.
“Forensic Toxicology.” National Institute of Justice, nij.gov/topics/forensics/evidence/toxicology/pages/welcome.aspx.
“Network Forensics.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Jan. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_forensics.
“New York State Police.” Crime Laboratory System: Forensic Science History, www.troopers.ny.gov/Crime_Laboratory_System/History/Forensic_Science_History/.
“What Is Forensics?” How to Become a Crime Scene Investigator, www.crimesceneinvestigatoredu.org/what-is-forensic-science/.
Writers, Staff. “Degrees & Careers in Forensic Psychology | How to Become a Forensic Psychologist.” LearnHowToBecome.org, LearnHowToBecome.org, 8 July 2014, www.learnhowtobecome.org/psychologist/forensic-psychologist/.2
