NCJ Number
84302
Date Published
1981
Length
14 pages
Annotation
What forensic science is and how it can assist the investigator in all areas of investigation are examined, and the role of investigators in assisting in the scientific examination of evidence is discussed.
Abstract
Forensic sciences is used as a collective description for all the various scientific disciplines which specialize in applying science to answering questions raised in the legal process. Forensic specializations include (1) pathology, which deals with the diagnosis of diseases; (2) forensic toxicology, which studies the effect of foreign substances introduced into the living body; (3) odontology, a branch of dentistry which examines dental evidence; (4) physical anthropology, the study of the physical development of humans; (5) forensic psychiatry, which applies psychiatric knowledge to legal problems; (6) questioned documents, which examines various means of written or printed communication; and (7) criminalistics, which deals with the recognition, analysis, identification, individualization, and interpretation of physical evidence by the use of natural sciences. Generally, the forensic scientist works with physical evidence to identify the perpetrator, associate the perpetrator and the scene, prove an element of the crime, associate one crime or event with another, and provide the investigator with leads. Investigators contribute to scientific analysis by providing evidence that is acceptable from a scientific and legal perspective. This means the evidence must be obtained legally, be documented, be properly marked, be packaged to avoid contamination and damage, and be maintained under proper controls, standards, and chain of custody. Evidence of particular value is arson evidence, blood, seminal and other body fluids, drugs and narcotics, explosives, firearms evidence, glass, and hair and fibers.