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Forensics. Forensic Disciplines. Ballistics – markings on bullets and other projectiles and the composition of the projectiles. DNA – identify genetic matches collected from any cell. Can be used for paternity tests and crime scene placement.
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Forensic Disciplines • Ballistics – markings on bullets and other projectiles and the composition of the projectiles. • DNA – identify genetic matches collected from any cell. Can be used for paternity tests and crime scene placement. • Serology – collect body fluids and isolate DNA – used to determine similar proteins and enzymes. • Fingerprinting – identify by comparing fingerprints with a database. Can use a palm print as well. • Toxicology – removing chemicals from the body to determine composition. May include poisons, drugs, blood alcohol.
More • Trace – residues and small objects collected at a crime scene. May include fibers, chemicals, hair, fluids, etc. • Drugs – legal and illegal drugs • Clandestine Labs – places where drugs are made • Entomology – bugs found at the crime scene • Psychology – study of criminal behavior • Digital – collection of materials from any electronic device • Anthropology – skeletal remains • Document – forgeries, fakes • Odontology – teeth marks and dental identification.
What is the job of the forensic scientist? • Popular T.V. shows have changed the perception of the forensic scientists job. • Scientists do not catch criminals. • Most are not uniformed police officers, and many that are have desk jobs. • Forensic scientists are not crime fighters, they are only supposed to provide an unbiased description of the evidence collected and examined. • It is the lawyers, jury, and judge who is to interpret the evidence to determine guilt or innocence.
Conflict of Interest? • Forensic scientists are not crime fighters, they are only supposed to provide an unbiased description of the evidence collected and examined. • Most forensic labs are run by the law enforcement division of some level of government. • They are getting paid by people they don’t always find in favor of. • Is there pressure to find something to help law enforcement? • Is this making them more thorough?
The law • Steps are taken to ensure that all evidence is collected, handled, and tested properly. • Conclusions of test results are based upon a statistical accuracy. • If any step is not done properly, the defense can have the evidence thrown out which can shift the case. • The law helps the defence, and good lawyers can ensure that juries ignore certain pieces of evidence.
Conviction • Guidelines are created and followed that all forensic scientists must adhere to. • There are no exceptions! • Usually several types of forensic evidence are required in major crimes. • For petty crime, proof of possession with some evidence linking the object to that person is enough.
Who pays • Should the defendant pay for the forensic work? • How would they do that? • Is that fair or equitable? • What if they are found innocent? • What if they demand the test? • What if the conclusion is wrong? • So then who does pay? • Is that fair?