INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES (FROM INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCES, P 9-16, 1980, BY WILLIAM G ECKERT - SEE NCJ-71044)

• NCJ Number: 68921
• Author(s): B KNIGHT
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: C V Mosby Co
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE FORENSIC SCIENCE DISCIPLINES, AS PRACTICED IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, GREAT BRITAIN, AND CANADA, ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS CHAPTER FROM 'INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCES.'

Abstract

PRESENT DAY FORENSIC SCIENCES IN THE SENSE OF CRIMINALISTICS ARE AN OFFSHOOT OF FORENSIC MEDICINE AND FORENSIC PATHOLOGY. THE TERM 'FORENSIC SCIENCES' INCLUDES ALL THOSE MEDICAL, BIOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL, AND PHYSICAL TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED IN THE INVESTIGATION OF CRIME, IN THE EVALUATION OF CIVIL DISPUTES, AND IN THE INVESTIGATION OF SUDDEN NATURAL DEATH. THE PRACTICE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES VARIES CONSIDERABLY FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY AND WITHIN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE SAME COUNTRY. IN THE UNITED STATES, FOR EXAMPLE, DIFFERENT STATES HAVE TOTALLY DIFFERENT METHODS AND STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO FORENSIC FUNCTIONS. INTERNATIONALLY, THERE IS A VAST DIFFERENCE IN THE LEVEL AT WHICH FORENSIC SCIENCE IS PRACTICED. IN THE UNITED STATES, WHERE A NONUNIFORM SYSTEM OF PRACTICE EXISTS, FORENSIC MEDICAL SERVICES TEND TO BE SEPARATE FROM FORENSIC SCIENCE OR CRIMINALISTICS FACILITIES. CRIMINALISTICS LABORATORIES MAY BE CONFINED TO ONE POLICE FORCE OR MAY BE AMALGAMATED SO THAT THEY SERVICE A WIDER AREA. REGARDING MEDICAL ASPECTS OF THE FORENSIC DISCIPLINE, A GREAT DIVISION LIES BETWEEN THE CORONER SYSTEM AND THE MEDICAL EXAMINER SYSTEM. BECAUSE OF CORRUPT PRACTICES NOTED IN THE WORK OF LAY CORONERS, THE MEDICAL EXAMINER SYSTEM PREVAILS IN MANY STATES. THE EXAMINER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INVESTIGATION OF ANY DEATH THAT CANNOT BE CERTIFIED BY THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN. CANADA MAINTAINS THE CORONER SYSTEM, AND THE ORGANIZATION OF FORENSIC MEDICINE AND SCIENCE VARIES AMONG THE PROVINCES. GREAT BRITAIN CANNOT BE ASSESSED AS A WHOLE FOR EITHER FORENSIC PATHOLOGY OR FORENSIC SCIENCE SERVICES BECAUSE THERE IS MARKED VARIATION IN THE ORGANIZATION AND LEGAL SYSTEMS OF THE VARIOUS CONSTITUENT COUNTRIES. THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND HAS A CORONER SYSTEM AND A STATE PATHOLOGIST IN DUBLIN WHO IS PRIMARILY AN ACADEMIC FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST. THE SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY DENMARK AND FINLAND HAVE EXCELLENT FORENSIC MEDICINE SYSTEMS. SOPHISTICATED PRACTICE ALSO OCCURS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND CALCUTTA, INDIA.