Jonathan Salvador Case Study

The popular television show, CSI: Crime Scene Investigations has been on the air for 12 years, and it has brought forth the behind-the-scenes actions of criminal investigations, even if its portrayals are not always scientifically accurate. This has caused an interest in the forensic sciences that has led most people to a skewed view of how a criminal investigation actually works. The reality of a criminal investigation is that it is generally more tedious and difficult than the theory of criminal investigation would have you believe. By examining the forensic and investigative procedures of the case of Pamela Foddrill, it is apparent that the theory of criminal investigation was not representative of the procedures concerning examination

This paper examines Carrell et al’s research along with three other scholarly research articles to better understand the effects that the DNA recovered from a crime scene has on a particular case and the forensic science community.

Specialized techniques for data recovery, evidence authentication and analysis of electronic data far exceeding normal data collection and preservation

Effective program strategies are paramount for the successful use of resources and activities. Historically, the NIBIN program has primarily focused on the technical aspect of laboratory functions. In the current logic model; however, ATF has implemented the use of the NIBIN system and resources as an investigative lead tool. Accordingly, the emphasis is placed to identify “Trigger Pullers.” While the scientific process is very relevant for the introduction of evidence pursuant to criminal prosecution, this methodology is time consuming.

Contamination can occur when transferring DNA or the collection of DNA evidence. In the case involving Mr. Farah, he was wrongful charged of rape although he had appealed in the High Court with the basis of the scientists not having said he was undisputedly the perpetrator. The scientists said that it was a very small chance that it was not Mr. Farah which he argued was still a reasonable doubt. The judges dismissed the case within twenty minutes but it was later found that the evidence was contaminated. Other examples include R v. Rendell (1999) and R v. Carroll (2002.)Though technology is advancing, the process of collecting, processing and analyzing DNA has faults. There needs to be more training, procedures and checks put in place for the system to be effective. Faults in evidence presents to be ineffective justice as although the jury weighed up the evidence, there was inadequate access to allow him to refute the claims and lead to wrongful convictions.

The mishandling and contamination of evidence poses serious threats to the achievement of justice within the court. In October of 2009, Wyong Local Court was forced to overturn a burgular’s conviction after samples were mishandled in the laboratory, leading to a false match. Victoria has also experienced problems with DNA contamination, leading to a

The Garry Veeder case is one of many aspects. Garry Veeder was a 58-year-old forensic scientist who worked as a trace evidence technician for the New York State Police for over 34 years. In his job as a trace evidence technician, he examined things such as hairs, fibers, glass and other evidence collected during forensic investigations. Veeder worked in this position until late 2008 when he committed suicide after being investigated for falsifying data in many criminal cases he investigated. Investigators reported that Veeder “routinely failed to conduct a required test when examining fiber evidence, then falsely indicated in case records that he had performed the test. (Fisch p.6)” Veeders misconduct went unnoticed for many years because of the lack of supervision at the Investigation Center in which he was employed. As soon as Veeder became a target for investigation, the whole investigation center’s reputation began to spiral downhill. Forty-four district attorneys reviewed the criminal cases that Veeder investigated as a forensic evidence technician.

Forensic evidence has been shown to be reliable due to many factors of evidence such as DNA, blood, fingerprints, etc.; however, many cases have shown that

re-opened and subjected to DNA testing with the hope of solving them. (Nelson, M. (2011)

Forensic science has become the greatest collective method for intelligence gathering of human identifiers. The forensic sciences are used around the world to resolve civil disputes, to justly the enforcement of criminal laws and government regulations, and to protect public health. Over the years, judges have trusted forensic methods without a second thought. DNA analysis is the most reliable method that forensic has, but how reliable is it? (Jonathan Jones, pbs). According to a group called The Innocence Project, “Misapplication of forensic science is the second most common contributing factor to wrongful convictions, found in nearly half (46%) of DNA exoneration cases” (Innocence project).

These scenes dramatize the lab technician’s work and make it seem intriguing and thrilling. This results in the intense obsession of viewers and their conviction that the images presented in these scenes are representative real life. Dante Mancini also refers to what is known as the strong prosecutor’s effect in his article “The ‘CSI Effect’ in an Actual Juror Sample: Why Crime Show Genre May Matter”. The strong prosecutor’s effect, as Mancini describes it, is one aspect of the CSI effect referring to the expectations jurors who frequently watch crime shows have for forensic evidence (Mancini 544). There are clearly many different aspects and impacts of the CSI effects that can be positive or negative.

    A review of false convictions that involved forensic science and can help identify critical lessons for forensic scientists as they perform testing, interpret results, render conclusions, and testify in court from the national institute of justice.

Forensic science is defined as the practice of utilizing scientific methodologies to clarify judicial inquiries. The field of forensic science contains a broad range of disciplines and has become a vital aspect of criminal investigations. Some forensic disciplines are laboratory-based; while others are based on an analyst’s interpretation of observable patterns (Kourtsounis, 2009). According to the Innocence project’s website; in greater than fifty percent of wrongful convictions, the use of invalidated or improper forensic techniques played a role in cases; which were later

The aim of this report is to investigate where and how anti-forensic tools work as well as looking at the challenges forensic investigators are faced when such tools are used. After anti-forensic tools are used certain artefacts will be left behind, this report will also cover the procedures and difficulties when trying to uncover these artefacts as well as the tools used to find them.