FORENSIC SCIENCE

Forensic Science

Abstract

In this study we have explored the crucial topic of forensic science in a detailed manner. We have investigated the forensic science through a number of aspects which includes detailed history of forensic science, explanation of the scientific changes and methodologies, critical analysis of the successes and failures, advances in technology and the limitations of evidence, etc. The study revealed that there are positive impacts of forensic science on law enforcement activities. The study concludes with the predictions on the importance and limitations of forensics.

Table of Contents

Forensic Science4

Detailed History of Forensic Science4

Explanation of the Scientific Changes and Methodologies/Theories5

Global Digital Forensics6

Data Gathering7

Data Analysis8

Critical Analysis of the Successes and Failures9

Advances in Technology and the Limitations of Evidence10

Predictions on the Importance and Limitations of Forensics12

References13

Forensic Science

Forensic Science

The dictionary definition of forensics is the application of scientific practices within the legal process. Essentially this translates into highly specialized researchers or criminal, finding that only provide conclusive evidence to be tested in laboratories. Parts of evidence are often cannot be seen with the naked eye, it is sometimes even smaller. Forensic science now routinely used DNA complex serious crimes, solving deaths from these building blocks of life (Wortley & Mazerolle, 2008).

Detailed History of Forensic Science

Eventually known as a criminalistics laboratory, or crime lab, this model was followed in 1914 by the city of Montreal. The center in Montreal followed Locard's philosophy, called Locard's exchange principle, the foundation of the field of forensic science. Montreal's center was run by a physician and thus became known as a medico legal lab, a subspecialty of medicine. The structure of this model lab became popular, and in 1923, the first lab based on this model was established in the United States by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. In 1932, the newly established Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) set up its own lab, which could be accessed nationwide, although unlike the lab in France, contributions were minimal from different areas of science such as biology, chemistry, and physics (Laycock, 2008).

Over the last 100 years, experts have assisted with medico-legal investigations. Many physical anthropologists, especially from the Smithsonian Institute, acted as advisors to medico-legal officials through published articles and law enforcement bulletins during the 1930s and 1940s. In the 1960s, Lawrence Angel joined the Smithsonian staff and continued as a consultant for the FBI, including the launching of a training program for the forensic applications of skeletal biology.

However, the main aim of this paper is to introduce the background of the field of forensic sciences and to explore the role of its dimensions in the grounds of criminology, medicine, and other sciences. Moreover, the objective of this research as well as structure of the report is to make the readers understand the concept of the entire subject in detail. The research emphasizes on studying the impact of forensics in the related fields.

Explanation of the Scientific Changes and Methodologies/Theories

There is a variety of proofs and evidences that are investigated by the forensic researchers to assist the judge and ...