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Role of forensic science
Role of forensic science
Forensic Science Chapter 1
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How many times have you imagined yourself examining blood or analyzing fingerprints? Some people do this everyday! They are called Forensic Science Investigators!!! Also known as criminalists. They work with Crime Scene Investigators(CSI’s) to analyze evidence to solve a crime. They work in the Law and Public Safety cluster. They have a lot on their plate when it comes to responsibilities, such as analyzing Deonexynibulic Acid,more commonly known as DNA. The DNA on one piece of evidence can turn the whole crime around by identifying who took place in the crime or who the victim was. They work in a variety of labs depending on what type of evidence they analyze. They have an on call job meaning they have to be ready for work when a crime
I was sitting in the old rickety chair that looked as if it had been there for five years. The smell of gunpowder hung in the morning air as I leaned over the rifle rest. My finger wrapped around the trigger as my eye focused through the scope of my grandfather’s Springfield ’03. I took a deep breath and let half out. My finger tightened on the trigger as I awaited the recoil and crack of the gunpowder igniting. Finally, when my finger’s pull was enough to move the trigger, the gun went off. Moments like this are why I love shooting guns.
They can trace the suspect with only a few clues within an extremely short time. They can even find out the personalities when they see someone's handwriting. They even have a private jet for Behavior Analysis Unite. When they take a case, they can fly to the location right away. They are good negotiators, too.
I chose to research the profession of a homicide detective. This profession interests me because I find solving a puzzle satisfying, by picking up the pieces (evidence) and fitting them together I can solve the mystery of the homicide. This of course is something I will have to work toward, as I cannot become one right out of the gate. First I will have to be a police officer. I have to be a police officer first because I need to gain experience in the criminal justice world and with victims/ suspects. Depending on the town I choose to pursue my career in I could have to start as a patrol officer or at a jail. I am doing things now to try and set myself apart from other candidates so if the time does ever come for a promotion I can be one step
On February 27th, 2014 I had the pleasure to interview Detective Vincent Velazquez who was referred to me by Professor Paul Guerrucci. Vincent currently works at the Atlanta Police Department located in 226 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30303. On the day of the interview, I was a little anxious since this was actually the first time I interview a crime investigator, however Vincent was very professional and he allowed me to record the entire conversation. I was able to ask questions about his personal life, full details of his profession, current case assignments, criminal investigation procedures and existing problems in the investigation process.
Since 2000,the television show called CSI: Criminal Scene Investigation has given the expectation that all cases are easy and fast to solve, as portrayed in the show. This notion has lead to the glorification of DNA profiling and the problem of cases being solely based DNA evidence and ruling out other factors. According to FBI- National DNA Index (NDI), in North Carolina alone over 2,967 cases have been "helped" using the DNA database (Federal Bureau Investigation,2016). DNA is something that should be a supplement to a case. It is not meant to be the only thing between innocence and guilty. DNA analysis is important to the criminal investigation process, but in recent research, it has been shown that cases are being victim to unfair DNA
Crime scene investigators have a very important role when it comes to catching criminals and putting them away for a crime they committed. They are also called Forensic Science Technicians. The main role for a crime scene investigator is to investigate crimes and to collect evidence. Most types of evidence being hair, tissue, and fluids like blood or saliva. Basically, they provide evidence that shows information to help either acquit or convict a person of a crime (Crime 1).
Crime scene investigators, also known as CSIs, have played an essential role in protecting citizens, by proving who is guilty, and who is innocent. CSIs use a large amount of Science and Math skills to solve crimes, resulting in a decent income. They are specialized in forensic science in order to examine crime scenes and recover important evidence (Career Cruising).
Forensic scientists work in labs where they examine, identify, and interpret evidence collected in crime scenes. Crime scene investigators collect evidence and pass it to a forensic scientist who uses the items in numerous ways to help catch criminals. Forensic scientists must also record the evidence and any tests ran on it in detail to prove the truth in court. A forensic scientist also has to be able to present his or her physical evidence verbally in court, so a strong communication background is important.
Forensic anthropologists consult and counsel coroner's on cases that involve the death of a person. They go to the crime scene and make statements about their findings. They have to follow a certain contract when they are observing and gathering informations at different crime scenes. Additionally,
Fingerprints analysts job may require them in the field or in the lab or a combination of both that uses a number of technologies as to recover fingerprint samples and then relate them with fingerprint databases. Fingerprint analysts can be called upon to the process different type of fingerprints sample that can make it easy to notice the prints when using different photographic and computer equipment that can prove the identification of latent prints to known impressions. As well fingerprints analyst has to sometime prepare detailed report that show what tests they have carried out and what the results are and then they preserve fingerprint samples for lab analysis and upload fingerprint images into the national databases for comparison where the examiner decides if the prints are from the same source or different which then go to another fingerprints examiner that calls the final decide and evaluates the prints for any final
Crime investigators have the job to solve crime and find the suspect responsible. Sometimes the offense is very difficult to solve, but with the right pieces of evidence and tools, the investigation can be answered a little more easily. The use of fingerprints is a main tool used at crime scenes. Investigators find these at the actual crime scene and analyze them at the lab to determine whom the prints belong to. Each person has an individual print which is why this is a very useful piece of evidence. Sir Francis Galton found that the prints could be categorized into different types as well as different groups. The research of fingerprints from decades before has shaped the way detectives identify suspects and victims.
Imagine pulling into your driveway and seeing your neighbor’s house surrounded by police, flashing lights, and caution tape with bodies covered in white sheet on the lawn. It was a drive by shooting. Next, a van pulls up and a Criminal Investigator steps out and starts assessing the crime scene. She begins taking photos, marking shell casings, packaging evidence, documenting tire treads on the pavement and inspecting and collecting DNA evidence from the bodies. Criminal Investigators are highly trained college graduates that are a vital part of bringing criminals to justice.
A forensic scientist analyzes different types of evidence from scenes or incidents, writes reports, and testifies in court as an expert witness. Being a forensic scientist is a very detailed oriented profession and they usually work some sort of a lab setting. Occasionally they may visit crime scenes or numerous accidents to help revamp the crime, gather evidence, or preserve data, but this is a very small part of their duties and is usually saved for a crime scene examiner. Forensic scientist may work for the federal or local government, forensic labs, police departments, hospitals, universities or as an independent forensic science consultant. Some specialist in Forensics Sciences are; Forensic Scientist, Forensic Pathologist, Forensic Anthropologist, Forensic Entomologist,
Their roles is investigate a crime scene, and study reports made by the experts in the case and interviewing witnesses. They then have to work on a psychological profile based on the evidence they have gathered.
“Investigations should be conducted as thoroughly and carefully as possible” (Fisher, 2000, p48). The use of science and technology is important for solving crimes ,because of scientific examinations crimes can be solved and the lives of many vulnerable people could be saved so that they don’t become a victim of criminal acts because of this reason justice system can remove a criminal from a society. In UK the structure of forensic science is partially divided between the CSEs who are mostly police employees which are responsible in gathering evidence at the crime scene and Forensic scientists which their work tend to rely in laboratory analysis. The people who are responsible for crime scene examinations are police officers, crime scene examiners, Forensic scientists, and detectives. Moreover, the second group hold the values of scientific professions, such as “research, experiment, and the reporting or publication of results and subsequent opinions.” (Harrison, 2006, p66). Those who are involved in the crime scene examination should be highly trained and qualified. They carefully investigate the scene and the question they will keep in to consideration is who did it, why it happened and when or what time the incident has happened, also they will keep in to consideration is that, is there any item which has been miss placed or removed from the