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How Technology & Science Have Impacted Forensics In Criminal Investigations
The role and impact of forensic science in the 21st century
The role and impact of forensic science in the 21st century
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Crime scene investigations are the center piece to any conviction. They are pivotal to collect all information and evidence for each case. When done correctly, a crime scene investigation is creating a high chance of conviction. They are many factors that go into a good crime scene investigation. With technology advancement, this has created several new methods in catching a criminal and getting a conviction. Forensic science is the term. Forensic science is developing so rapidly that criminals are having to create new ways to commit crime. Ideas such as DNA analysis and finger printing are evolving constantly. It is very important to comprehend and utilize these new advancements so that is easier to convict criminals. It is very important …show more content…
The protection of the crime scene is important to limit the amount of possible contamination. Per Protecting the Crime Scene “you can ask crime scene technicians and their biggest problem is crime scene contamination”. The less amount of people working on a crime scene, usually means the less amount of possible contamination. The unintentional crime scene contamination can be eliminated by strong training and policies. Less crime scene contamination allows for more accurate evidence that was found at the crime scene. More accurate evidence creates for a better case for the prosecution. Crime scene evidence is very valuable. The protection of it is an important mission. If valuable evidence is destroyed, this allows for the offender to possibly not get convicted of the crime they might have committed. More serious crimes going unsolved can create major controversy. Evidence being mishandled gives room to a law suit. But more importantly, it can affect the victim emotionally and mentally. A serious crime going unsolved and make the victim or victims lose desire. And without one ever happening, it is possible for a victim never feeling whole again. Though protection is key, there are many factors that involve a good crime scene investigation. The gathering of information is vital and the five W’s and H method has created a guide to …show more content…
Without technology in crime scene investigations then wrongful convictions and cold cases will become more prevalent and common. The milestones of Fingerprinting, DNA, and improved equipment will continue to improve and technology will only have a greater presence at crime scene investigations. As important as technology, the protection of the crime scene is pivotal to any investigation. The biggest issue at crime scene is the contamination of it. So, it is essential to limit contamination as much as possible. Not only does protection of crime scenes involve contamination but, a protected crime scene means its running smoothly and as quickly as possible. This trait helps make trials speedy and helps guarantee the sixth amendment. The gathering of information and the guideline created by the five W’s and H method helps make sure that any evidence that has a chance of being missed is collected. It is important to gather all information because of how valuable evidence is. By following this guideline, it ensures of this. The five W’s and H method is the stepping stone for the beginning of any proper crime scene investigation. These are the key factors to crime scene investigations. By utilizing proper training and methods it ensures that crime scene investigations
The following paper explores a homicide scene at a convenience store / gas station at 3 a.m. The material of the investigation is represented with a number of visible evidence, the dead body with an apparent gunshot wound in the chest and the testimony of the first officer at the scene. The paper is divided into four parts, including the general overview (introduction), latent impression processing, people’s involvement investigation procedure and evidence package for the further fingerprint analysis. The crime scene investigation protocol used in this paper includes interview, examination, photographing, sketching and processing itself (Castleman, 2000: 23). Observing the homicide scene we omit the analysis of the preliminary procedures as security of the scene, integrity precautions, photographing and sketching.
Forensic science has paved the way to a new world of technological advancements in solving crime, through DNA analysis, new technology such as M-Vac, improving systems such as CODIS and other investigative methods. As forensic science technology advances, the chance of an individual being able to commit a crime and walk away free without leaving any trace of evidence will lessen. While forensic science has its limitations, it can be the only way to provide an accurate account of what actually occurred at some crime scenes.
Crime scenes are known to have many clues left behind. The obvious would be a the body or bodies, clothing, and sometimes even the murder weapon. While these are great way to solve a case there's another kind of evidence; trace evidence. Trace evidence are small pieces of evidence that are laying around a crime scene. There are many types of trace evidence some of them include metal filings, plastic fragments, gunshot residue, glass fragments, feathers, food stains, building materials, lubricants, fingernail scrapings, pollens and spores, cosmetics, chemicals, paper fibers and sawdust, human and animal hairs, plant and vegetable fibers, blood and other body fluids, asphalt or tar, vegetable fats and oils, dusts and other airborne particles, insulation, textile fibers, soot, soils and mineral grains, and explosive residues. Although these are the most common found elements, they are not the only ones. The Trace Evidence Unit is known to examine the largest variety of evidence types and used the biggest range of analytical methods of any unit. materials are compared with standards or knowns samples to determine whether or not they share any common characteristics. In this paper I will discuss the different kinds of trace evidence and how crime scene investigaros use it to solve cases and convict criminal.
In today’s time, modern Crime Scene Investigation has increased rapidly. From throughout the late 1900’s and in the early 2000’s (Taylor 1). For all of the evidence that they find, a solid foundation has formed over the thousands of years of Crime Scene
This meticulous approach helps them uncover vital clues that may lead to identifying suspects or establishing motives for criminal acts. Additionally, CSI professionals must adhere to ethical standards and legal guidelines while performing their duties to ensure the integrity of the investigation process. Overall, my thesis statement asserts that by delving into the discourse community of Crime Scene Investigators, we can gain valuable insights into their methods, challenges, and contributions to the field of criminal justice. Through effective communication and collaboration within this community, CSI professionals can make significant strides towards solving crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice. The community of Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) is a vital component of law enforcement agencies, consisting of detectives, forensic analysts, and other personnel dedicated to uncovering evidence necessary to solve crimes.
Forensic Science, recognized as Forensics, is the solicitation of science to law to understand evidences for crime investigation. Forensic scientists are investigators that collect evidences at the crime scene and analyse it uses technology to reveal scientific evidence in a range of fields. Physical evidence are included things that can be seen, whether with the naked eye or through the use of magnification or other analytical tools. Some of this evidence is categorized as impression evidence2.In this report I’ll determine the areas of forensic science that are relevant to particular investigation and setting out in what method the forensic science procedures I have recognized that would be useful for the particular crime scene.
The transitional growth in the forensic science sector has not been without challenges. Though the world has experienced increased capabilities and scientific knowledge, which has led to faster investigations and results, many forensic experts have argued that forensic laboratory testing, in the light of 21st century technological advancements, is yet to meet the expected rate in quick available testing and analysis (Mennell & Shaw, 2006). This is with respect to the growing rate of crime and the high demand of quick crime scene testing and analysis. In the science of crime scene, analysis and interpretation of evidence is majorly dependent on forensic science, highlighting the change in the role of forensic sciences (Tjin-A-Tsoi, 2013). In the business of forensic science, time is beginning to play important role in the evidence testing and analysis which is becoming crucial in reducing ...
Saferstein, R 2011, Criminalistics: an introduction to forensic science, 10th edn, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, p. 43
The amount of evidence can either help win or lose a case. Every crime scene has evidence available for officers to collect. It is important for them to know what the standard protocol is for collecting evidence and how to properly collect it without contamination.
Forensic science has now been recognized as an important part of the law enforcement team to help solve crimes and cold cases. The advances in technology are being used each day and we must continue to strive to develop better advances in this field. The recent discovery of using DNA in criminal cases has helped not only positively identify the suspect, but it has helped exonerate hundreds of innocent individuals. “With new advances in police technology and computer science, crime scene investigation and forensic science will only become more precise as we head into the future.” (Roufa, 2017) Forensic science and evidence helps law enforcement officials solve crimes through the collection, preservation and analysis of evidence. By having a mobile crime laboratory, the scene gets processed quicker and more efficiently. Forensic science will only grow in the future to be a benefit for the criminal justice
National Institute of Justice (2004, June). Crime Scene Investigation: A Reference for Law Enforcement Training. Retrieved June 3, 2011, from http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/200160.pdf
“The word ‘forensics’ means “connected with the courtroom”; so forensic science is, therefore, concerned with gathering hard evidence that can be presented in a trial” (Innes 9). Forensic science is a science that is applied specifically to legal matters, whether criminal or civil. “Few areas in the realm of science are as widespread and important as forensic science” (Hunter 12). Forensics is the one science that is most commonly used in everyday life. It is also a branch of science that incorporates other branches of science such as biology, chemistry, and etc. Since it is used almost every day “No one can dispute the importance of the contributions to society made by forensic science; the ability to solve crime is undeniably important” (Hunter 13). Forensic science has given criminal investigation a new edge. “Advances in science have opened the door for more effective evidence discovery, howev...
Crime scene investigation is the use of physical evidence at the scene of the crime committed, also reasonable and unreasonable reasoning to gain knowledge of the events surrounding the crime Throughout this paper I have shown you how to successfully conduct a crime scene investigation. After reading this paper thoroughly you should know to secure a crime scene, collect the evidence the proper way and how to take the crime scenes.
Forensic science includes all types of different science such as: physics, chemistry, biology, computer science and engineering to matter of law. A forensic scientist is a specialist in a field of science who applies their knowledge to the purposes of law. The job as a Forensic Scientist not only has many details and facts you have to remember but you also need items of evidence that are relevant in order to examine the scene correctly.
Since the old times primary investigations do not typically yield enough information to prosecute a criminal case. The information yielded in criminal investigations may be used to prosecute a criminal case or can even assist in a federal case. Even though primary investigations can identify a lot of evidence and information, a secondary investigation will usually identify further details and allows for a second look at everything pertaining to the investigation. This paper is to explain criminal investigations and the necessary tools and skills needed to conduct and thorough investigation.