Introduction to Forensic Investigations

When it comes to fingerprints, no two individuals are the same. This is just one of the many reasons to as why fingerprints are so important when it comes to evidence. In addition, fingerprints are used to assist in capturing the individual, who was at the crime scene when the crime was perpetrated. Fingerprints are found on surfaces due to the friction ridges that are on each one of our hands (Nolo, 2015). Sweat, body oils, and dirt are just a few of the things that

Mokokoma once said, “Science gave us forensics. Law gave us crime.” This exemplifies how science and law come together to help officers, lawyers, and forensic scientists in problematic situations. With our increase in technology and our demanding use for new ways to solve crimes, forensic microanalysis plays a huge role in today’s society. Forensic microanalysis consists of any evidence that originates from DNA such as hair, fingerprints, blood, etc. It is distinguished from the science of microscopy, which deals with anything that is too small to been seen with the bare eye and can only be seen with a microscope. Forensic microanalysis depends on instrumentation, which is contained in standards, operating procedures, test protocols, and machine tolerances. With that said, forensic microanalysis has been critical to justifying crimes and using pure evidence in order to solve complex court cases. Forensic microanalysis exemplifies the use of analyzing, identifying, and comparing micro trace evidence with the use of instruments, which can essentially be used to prove a victim or criminal innocent or guilty based upon the evidence shown in the analysis.

However, back in the 1980s, detailed studies were done to try to accomplish this task. One specific comprehensive study was done in 1984 by Peterson et al. In this study, the analysts found that physical evidence was discovered in only about twenty to thirty percent of serious crimes (Peterson, 2013). When each of the crimes were studied separately, however, they found that only crimes such as homicide, drug, or rape resulted in a large chance of physical evidence being found at the crime (Peterson, 2013). Cases such as attempted murder, burglaries, and robberies yielded lower chances of the retrieval of physical evidence from the crime (Peterson, 2013). When considering all of these possible crimes, the most commonly collected evidence were controlled substances, and then in lesser amounts, there was other physical evidence such as blood, hair, firearms, and fingerprints (Peterson, 2013).

This information will help investigators cluster the symptoms with a particular disease and rule out irrelevant information. The surveillance of the components gather in this step will put a perspective on the abnormal health events that are occurring on the outbreak timeline.

When arriving at a crime scene investigators must wear protective clothing, gloves and shoe covers they must use

Ans. The incident that acted as a driving force in the development of forensic science was the discovery of Locard’s exchange principal which was evolved from

The Locard’s Exchange Principle is a specific concept that was developed by Dr. Locard in 1877 through 1966. In my opinion, I believe that the Locard’s Exchange Principle is when two things come into contact in exchange into something that is going to happen. What does this mean for evidence or any crime scene for when a criminal goes into a place where both leave something as well as take something away into terms of evidence which can result into having physical contact with any scene? I believe that no matter where a criminal goes, that criminal can leave all sorts of evidence such as DNA, fingerprints, footprints, hair, blood, pieces of clothing,

Fingerprinting was still in the process of being developed. A classification scheme appeared in 1901 and first used in a trial in the UK in 1902. Dental records were non-existent and blood grouping only developed after the identification of the different types in 1901. From that it became possible to serologically identify other body fluids. DNA was not discovered until 1953 and the unique identification of individuals by DNA profiling did not follow until 1985. In 1910, an important principle of forensic science was established by Edmund Locart who suggested that every contact leaves a trace; a criminal will always carry away with him some trace from the scene of the crime and will leave behind some trace of his presence. This is the very foundation of forensic science that has led to the

According to Young and Ortmeier (2011), the forensic value of firearm and ballistics evidence is associated with the ability to link the firearm to the crime and the shooter. Markings and striations of the firearm on expended cartridge casings and projectile discovered at a crime are collected and compared to known bullets in a database of known firearm types and test-fired bullets. By checking these national databases, the firearm can be linked to several crimes or not connected to any crimes whatsoever. However, other evidence such as DNA and fingerprints can be linked to other crimes and therefore can link the person to the crime as well (Ortmeier, 2011).

I have always loved suspenseful whodunit television shows, movies, and books that use forensic science to crack the cases. My favorite television show is The First 48, my favorite movie is The Silence of the Lambs, and my favorite book is The Body Farm. Therefore, I was excited to have the opportunity to take this course and learn even more about the subject of forensics. This essay gives a summary of N. E. Genge’s book, The Forensic Casebook: The Science of Crime Scene Investigation, and includes the things I disliked and liked about the book.

Due to the CSI effect jurors are expecting more, and stronger, forensic evidence at a trial even if it is unnecessary. This is causing jurors to be more lenient when prosecutors fail to present forensic evidence.

Oral history and visits to archives or libraries are the two major approaches in my project. Considering the facts that many Korean War veterans or their relatives are mostly octogenarians, it is imperative to race with time to inquire them about how the identification of their loved ones brings them closure (or what kind of report can persuade them that their loved ones are indeed dead). Archival sources will be used to study forensic technology, operation of military forensic agencies, and U.S. foreign policies, and I will probe POW/MIA families’ opinions on these issues through interviews. Although such opinions may be gleaned from news articles, oral history collections, or journals of veteran organizations, interviews are to corroborate

Rumors concerning Zane Wilkens having or viewing child-porn on his computer have reached, Samuel Brady, the principal of Fuller Middle School. The principal contacted the school’s legal counsel and had him/her review the school board’s policy concerning the use, monitoring and examination of school owned computer and network equipment. The lawyer determined it was within the rights of the school district to check Mr. Wilkens’ school owned computer for any evidence pertaining to the rumors. Principal Brady contracted, Clark Investigations to complete a forensic investigation of Mr. Wilkens’ work computer in relation to child-porn. The forensic investigation was completed after school hours when Mr. Wilkens was out of the room. Upon arrival,

When dealing with incident cases having evidence it the most important part. Without evidence the justice system would not convict a suspect who is accused of committing a crime. There is an old saying amount law enforcement officer, “A case is only as strong as it evidence”. If a person views the definition of the word evidence, that person’s would find out that evidence, meaning, “The body of facts or information which can indicate whether a belief or proposition is valid or true.” (Forensic Science Investigation Unit, 2015). Many people can have different option or belief of many different situations, but when you can prove with facts or information that your belief or option is correct by using evidence to back up your statement. You have just changed that person mind or option due to the evidence. When evidence is used in the court room, it can prove whether the person is guilt or innocence of the crime he or she was accused of committing. Evidence to a jury in a courtroom setting can be used as a body of information to tell if this person who is accused of committing this crime had a motive, opportunity and the ability to commit such at toward another person or someone’s property.

Physical evidence surrounds the known end tale to a story. Since the beginning, crime scene investigators have seek the infallible nature of human identification. It can achieve its optimum value to help investigators reconstruct the crime scene to piece together the sequence of events. The contents of physical evidence, best known as real evidence, consist of those tangible particles such as hairs, fibers, fingerprints and biological material (blood, semen or saliva). It is stated in context of the “Locard’s Exchange Principle”, whenever a person enters into a room, they will always leave a trace of evidence. Physical evidence is subjective to being the only way to reliably place or link someone(s) to the crime scene.