The Forensic Casebook: The Science of Crime Scene Investigation

Have you ever wondered how investigators figure out who the criminal is in the investigations? Is it luck or is it science? Forensic Science is the use of scientific principals to analyze information connected to a crime and who committed it. One type of forensics is autopsies. In the Rage and Bone Shop by Robert Cormier, investigators did some analysis of the crime scene, but should have used other forms of forensic science to solve the crime. The use of forensics in the novel hindered the investigation.

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

The case I chose to write on is based on a DVD that we watched in class called ‘Beaten by a hair’. In this case, a woman was reported missing after she went to work and never returned home. After the police discovered a bloody pillow case in the woods, near her house, they linked it to the missing pillow case in the woman’s room, and then realized that they had a murder case on their hands. A mystery in the case was that one of the local neighbors had mentioned seeing the woman leave through the front door of her house but the evidence says different, so investigators had to find out who left the house that morning. I am interested in this case because it was very intriguing how the forensic officers put all the pieces

Forensic science can be defined as the relationship between law and science; it answers the questions of how, why and who committed the crime, with the input of multiple actors. However, there are currently problems with

Since the time that the scientific science dramatization "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" turned into a tremendous hit and generated its fans, reporters have been worried about what they instituted the "CSI Effect." The hypothesis behind the effect is that fans of the well-known show disguise misguided judgments about the law that they bring with them into the court as jurors. In this way, the trepidation is that the TV show is at last influencing the results of trials - and not in a great manner. Criminal justice researchers have started to study the inquiry of whether nationals who are called to serve on juries bring unreasonable desires and convictions to the court as a consequence of TV projects. The impact that these projects may have on the jurors, their desires, and their choices is known as the CSI effect.

The definition of forensic science is any scientific research, method, or theory used to analyze evidence in an attempt to solve legal cases (Cho). In recent years, there has been growing public interest in forensic science, arguably because of the numerous television programs that glamorize its practices. This phenomenon is part of what is known as the CSI effect, or the process through which devoted fans of popular crime dramas develop unrealistic notions of forensic science methods, practices, and their applications in real life cases (Mancini 544; Stevens 37; Ley, Jankowski, and Brewer 52). The CSI effect has had more negative impacts on forensic science and society than positive impacts, especially in regards to what goes on in the

When analyzing the documentary, “The Real CSI” Frontline Correspondent Lowell Bergman investigates three cases dealing with forensic evidence. First being the long practice of latent fingerprint analysis, bite marks, and the odder of death.

In this paper, I will discuss the background of forensic pathology, the pros and cons of forensic pathology, and the similar and different in a forensic pathologist and a coroner. There are various disciplines in Forensic Science that can help with a crime, and solving that crime. One of these various disciplines is Forensic Pathology which the study of disease, and its causes, moreover; it involves the discovering the cause of the death where a death is sudden or suspicion to law enforcement. While a Forensic Pathologist can be helpful to law enforcement, and helpful in assisting in crime investigation, there are cons to being forensic pathologist. Furthermore, forensic pathologist can be confused with coroner even though they do the same

A thirst for knowledge can lead to many great achievements in life and provide a tremendous understanding of a subject that was unfamiliar or ambiguous to most people, which benefits society. The more that people understand and study a subject, the subject becomes more simple and straightforward. When people strive for information, people are now able to stop and keep atrocious behaviors at bay. In the non-fiction book, “The Killer of Little Shepard,” written by Douglas Star is an engaging book about the development of forensic science that lead to the birth of modern forensics. The author gives great details on how the formation towards modern forensics while telling the story of a serial killer- Joseph Vacher- in late 19th century France;

The crucial step of the investigation is the transport and storage of evidence recovered from the crime scene. Tightly controlled access during transport and storage will prevent any unauthorized contact and possible tampering or loss of evidence. The evidence that is recovered at the scene must reach a forensic laboratory as quickly as possible, appropriate conditions will prevent deterioration of evidence during transport and storage. Evidence might have to be stored for some years until a case goes to court or if the case is unsolved so labelling and storing evidence must be appropriately done to avoid contamination or disintegration etc.

Behind every court case there’s a train of forensic science evidence and research. Forensic science is the application of scientific principles of criminal justice. In many court cases a forensic scientists is the one on the scene collecting finger prints, photos, blood samples and other evidence. Unfortunately one of the controversial issues in the forensic world is the evidence and its lack of verification of its reliability. In the field of forensics there are issues in finding proof in generating conclusion, fundamental knowledge to solve problems, and the whole false memory defense in the court. These issues can be solved in many ways like extensive research, preparation and training. These issues

A crime scene investigator is responsible for multipart crime scene investigations, evaluation of the crime scene, various types of equipment along with developing, securing, and packaging physical evidence for scientific evaluation and comparison (U.S. Department, 2007). Detailed reports on the observations and activities at the scene next to testimonies in court regarding the findings and processing methods used at the scene are also conducted by the investigator (U.S. Department, 2007). The greatest challenge of this position is to apply scientific expertise in crime scene evidence identification and processing with the ultimate

After doing their job in he crime scene, the evidence they took will be taken to the forensic scientist. Crime scene investigators will look at the photographs and connect their theories based on the crime that occurred. The forensic scientists will also examine the victim’s clothes, while the medical examiner will analyze the victim’s body for more clues and evidence that they may find and they will all be doing this in the crime lab. The things they may find could be hair, fiber, semen, blood, another person’s DNA, bruises and many more. After the forensic scientists

The purpose of this project is to provide the reader of this paper with a descriptive analysis of an episode of Crime Scene Investigations (C.S.I.). The intent is to show what is provided by the television series of what happens in a crime and what is supposed to happen during a crime scene investigation. The reader should be able to understand during this analysis to what in fact is non-realistic in this television episode and what is reality as determined by what has been researched. This will show what really happens in a crime scene investigations lab.

Forensic science involves the use of science to solve criminal and civil crimes but mostly lies on the side of criminal investigations. It makes it possible to identify the criminals based on the DNA traces they leave behind. It involves analyses of blood, DNA and other evidences and later on uses the findings as evidence in the court of law. It helps in solving the various crimes in the world and this has been the greatest contributor to the growth of the sector. Cases that were previously considered impossible due to lack of evidenced tracing to the victim can now be solved using forensic science evidences. The essay aims at analyzing the different aspects of forensic science that are used in the process of solving criminal activities. It will also look at the different cases that forensic science was used to solve crimes in a court of law.