Forensic Science

Forensic Science Uses multiple science specialties The main three are: Biology Chemistry Medicine

Forensic Science also uses… Physics Computer science Geology Psychology

In Forensic Science… Forensic scientists examine objects, substances (including blood or drug samples), chemicals (paints, explosives, toxins), tissue traces (hair, skin), or impressions (fingerprints or tidemarks) left at the crime scene. The majority of forensic scientists specialize in one area of science.

What is Forensic Medicine ? Forensic medicine is a discipline within the medical profession which applies the principles, techniques and knowledge of medicine (including dentistry, clinical psychology, biology and chemistry) to a legal context.

Forensic Medicine uses…. Evidence collected at a crime scene to uncover such vital legal information as • Cause of death • Time of death • Evidence which connects a suspect to a crime, to a victim, or to the location of crime.

What is the difference between “forensic science” and “forensic medicine?” Forensic science applies science to law. It involves the application of highly developed technologies to uncover scientific evidence of a crime. Forensic medicine applies medical science to legal problems. It is typically involved in cases concerning blood relationship, mental illness, injury, or death resulting from violence.

Forensic medicine uses several different types of techniques • Autopsy – earliest technique • DNA Typing – most recent technique • Forensic Anthropology • Odontology • Testing blood

Did you know? Forensic medicine was first used in the late 1700's in the United Kingdom to determine whether a death was the result of suicide.

What originated as a very simple inspection of a deceased person's body has grown into the extensive medical field that we know as autopsy.

Not only was autopsy the first scientific technique used to determine the cause of death, it was also the beginning of forensic medicine.

DNA typing/ DNA finger printing Was introduced in the mid-1980s First described in 1985 by an English geneticist named Alec Jeffreys Has revolutionized forensic science and the ability of law enforcement to match perpetrators with crime scenes

DNA Typing is used in rape cases and in many other types of cases. DNA typing can be used to analyze specimens of many types such as semen, blood, and hair samples of the criminal found in the victim’s body. The results can be compared to the defendant’s genetic makeup and conclusions can be drawn from the results.

Forensic Anthropology Forensic anthropologyis the application of the science of physical anthropology and human osteology (the study of the human skeleton) in a legal setting, most often in criminal cases where the victim's remains are more or less skeletonized.

Forensic Anthropology A forensic anthropologist can also assist in the identification of deceased individuals whose remains are decomposed, burned, mutilated or otherwise unrecognizable.

Some careers in medical forensics include: Forensic Pathologist Forensic Nurse Forensic Technicians Forensic Anthropologist Medical Examiner Forensic pathologists, doctors, nurses, and technicians use medical principles and scientific procedures to analyze the physical evidence associated with criminal investigations.

To become a Forensic Pathologist … It begins with a four year college degree, followed by four years of medical school. After medical school, a three to five year residency training program in general pathology. After completion of the residency program, the pathologist embarks on a one year specialty training program in forensic pathology at a medical examiner's or coroner's office, usually in a large city or metropolitan area.

Why would a health care providerwant to work in forensics? • To discover the cause of a person's death, injury, or disease • The pursuit of societal justice • It is an extremely important roles that requires a combination of precise scientific knowledge and a sincere desire to protect their communities.

What do you need to know about entering into a career in forensic medicine ? • First, a student should carefully weigh his personal interests and strengths with the requirements of a successful forensic medicine career. • Forensic healthcare professionals enjoy tedious and complicated scientific procedures, have an affinity for science and math, and possess a strong commitment to creating a safer society through their work.

Obtaining a degree in forensic medicine will involve intense and advanced studies of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. A potential forensic medicine student can prepare by enrolling in as many advanced math and science courses as his high school offers. Students will thrive in forensic medicine degree programs when they have strong foundational skills in math and science.

What is the job outlook in forensic medicine? According to the U.S. Department of labor, employment opportunities for all branches of forensics, including forensic medicine, are expected to grow "much faster than the average" during the next ten years. The Department of Labor projection also notes that employment prospects increase as the level of the degree rises.

Resources http://www.answers.com/topic/human skeleton http://www.degrees.info/online/health care/forensic-medicine.html http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online education-guide/health medical/forensic-medicine major.htm http://www.dna.gov/basics/analysishistory/

Forensic Science