Forensics Science

Paper Summary:

This paper relates that, although forensic science appears to be a recent development, the modern medical-legal tactic to criminal investigations started in 12th century England when King Richard I enacted the "Office of the Coroner". The author points out that the scientific analysis of evidence left at the scene of a crime such as blood, semen, shreds of clothing, hair, weapons, tire treads and other physical evidence can seem more compelling to a jury than the evidence of eyewitnesses. The paper states that the purpose of crime scene investigation is to help understand what happened and to recognize the responsible person while carefully documenting the conditions at a crime scene and distinguishing all relevant physical evidence for further analysis.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Forensic Techniques
Firearms and Tool Mark Identification
Bullet Matching
Tool mark Evidence
Forensic Psychiatry
Profiling
Examination of Questioned Documents
Handwriting Analysis
Forgery
Scientific Evidence
Personal Identification
Fingerprints
DNA
Other Disciplines
Forensic Photography
Fracture Match
Crime Scene Documentation
Chain of Custody
Locard's Exchange Principal
Entomology
Blood Spatters
Soil
Glass
Crime Scene Investigation
Forensics in Courtroom
Validity of Forensic Evidence--Some Doubts
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Few areas of examination at trial can seem as intimidating as the prospect of taking on the prosecution's forensic experts. Crime lab reports seem to have this aura of invincibility about them that lead few trial lawyers to tackle their conclusions head on in front of a jury. Maybe it is because some part of us thinks that the reported results are based upon "science", and science, in turn, can be empirically experienced. Hence, we reason, if the stuff can be checked, no lab technician would put things in their report that could easily be shown to be incorrect. Alternatively, maybe, it is because we simply don't understand how tremendously vulnerable to challenge the crime lab work product really is."

More papers on Forensics Science:

• Essay # 70419 : "Forensic Science"
• Term Paper # 128359 : "21st Century Forensic Science"
• Analytical Essay # 109748 : "Forensic Science"

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