FORENSIC RESEARCH IN THE UNITED KINGDOM (FROM DEMONSTRATIVE EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS, 1979 SEE NCJ-63957)

• NCJ Number: 63961
• Author(s): S S KIND
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 11 pages
• Corporate Author: Internationale Studien
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Best Practice/State-of-the-Art Review
• Language: German; English
• Country: West Germany (Former)

Annotation

THE STATE OF THE ART OF FORENSIC RESEARCH IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IS SUMMARIZED.

Abstract

IN GREAT BRITAIN, THE FORENSIC CRIMINOLOGIST IS CONSIDERED PART OF THE POLICE INVESTIGATIVE TEAM; HIS TASK IS TO ASSIST THE INVESTIGATING OFFICERS IN RECOGNIZING CRIMINOLOGICALLY RELEVANT EVIDENCE. THE FORENSIC EFFORTS CURRENTLY TAKING PLACE IN THE CENTRAL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM DEAL MAINLY WITH THE INTERPRETATION OF CONTACT AND TRANSFERENCE EVIDENCE; E.G., THE MICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF BROKEN GLASS TRANSFERRED ONTO CLOTHING FROM SCENES OF CRIME OR THE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF DYES REMOVED FROM SINGLE FIBRES. SUCCESSFUL RESEARCH HAS ALSO BEEN CONDUCTED IN THE TRANSFERENCE OF NATURAL MATERIALS; E.G., THE MICROSCOPIC DETERMINATION OF THE SEX OF BLOOD STAINS). THE CHARACTERIZATION OF HUMAN HEAD HAIR HAS ALSO BEEN ATTEMPTED. IN THE FIELD OF NARCOTICS, THE DETECTION OF DIFFERENT DRUGS IN THE HUMAN BODY, E.G., THROUGH BLOOD OR URINE TESTS, ARE OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE. FORENSIC LABORATORIES ARE TESTED FOR QUALITY THROUGH 'DECLARED' AND 'UNDECLARED' TRIALS. IN DECLARED TRIALS, A FORENSIC SCIENTIST EXAMINER IS REQUESTED TO ANALYZE MATERIAL AS IF IT WERE MATERIAL BEING SUBMITTED IN A GENUINE CASE, AND THE EXAMINER KNOWS HE IS BEING TESTED. IN AN UNDECLARED TRIAL, THE MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR EXAMINATION IS DISGUISED TO APPEAR AS IF IT WERE PART OF A GENUINE CASE EXAMINATION. CURRENTLY, THE CENTRAL RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT COMPUTERS HAVE INFORMATION ON IMPORTANT FORENSIC PUBLICATIONS. RECURRENT NUMERICAL CALCULATIONS AND THE STORING, PROCESSING, AND INTERPRETATION OF LARGE AMOUNTS OF DATA ARE ALSO HANDLED BY COMPUTERS. IN THE FUTURE, EACH OPERATIONAL FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORY WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH COMPUTER TERMINALS (CONNECTED TO A CENTRAL COMPUTER) WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY PLUG INTO AN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK. WITH REGARD TO NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN FORENSIC CRIMINOLOGY, LEGAL AND CRIMINAL EXPERTS ARE URGED TO TAKE A POSITIVE BUT CRITICAL ATTITUDE. A STANDARDIZING OF INTERNATIONAL FORENSIC RESEARCH PROCEDURES IS POSSIBLE AND DESIRABLE, AND AN INTENSIVE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS IS INDISPENSIBLE. THE PAPER DOES NOT INCLUDE REFERENCES. --IN GERMAN AND ENGLISH. (SAJ)