Purpose of ForensicsThe field of forensic science has developed in response to the need for greater scientific certainty in the handling of legal issues, both civil and criminal. The modern legal system developed over a long period of time and continues to evolve, with the goal of seeking equal justice for all. To fulfill this goal, unbiased scientific analysis of supporting evidence is required. In addition, a proper legal defense and a jury of the defendant's peers, operating under the presumption of innocence, are all required for the legal system to meet a goal of true justice.
In Forensics, as in all scientific endeavors, mistakes are as important as getting it right. Examination of where and how mistakes take place will help improve the quality of the science faster than any other practice. |
forensics-syllabus-2017-2018.docx |
|
|
Development of Modern Forensic Scientists |
Forensic scientists may be medical doctors, biologists, chemists, laboratory technicians or other specialists with knowledge of evidence collection and analysis in their area of expertise. Forensic scientists must have both a basic understanding of the science related to particular evidence and a good understanding of the overall field including expertise in determination of the degree of certainty attainable for specific identification of characteristics associated with evidence such as fingerprints, DNA, hair and blood analysis.
|
History of Forensics |
For much of human history, the legal system and evidence collection were highly flawed, resulting in the conviction of innocent people and necessarily the avoidance of proper justice for the guilty. Torture was employed to extract confessions, which resulted in frequent miscarriage of justice. A proper legal system was finally recognized to be a core function of a government which serves the needs of the people. A jury trial was recognized as a basic right of the accused. The US constitution emphasizes many rights which the accused continues to exercise and which law enforcement must followed in the course of evidence collection, arrest, holding and trying of the accused.
To support the legal process, evidence must be gathered to uncover the truth of guilt or innocence. The forensic scientist is the the professional who is called upon to properly collect, analyze, explain and preserve this evidence, so that a trial of the accused can result in unbiased justice. |
CSI EFFECT
Since the television series CSI has been shown across the country, a CSI effect has been reported in terms of higher acquittal rates in cases across the country, supporting calls for reform of the legal system. For example, as the public has become more aware of scientific evidence, juries are unwilling to convict based solely on eyewitness testimony. When incompetent or incomplete crime scene evidence processing occurs, no guilty verdict can be obtained.
Since the television series CSI has been shown across the country, a CSI effect has been reported in terms of higher acquittal rates in cases across the country, supporting calls for reform of the legal system. For example, as the public has become more aware of scientific evidence, juries are unwilling to convict based solely on eyewitness testimony. When incompetent or incomplete crime scene evidence processing occurs, no guilty verdict can be obtained.
This website contains lessons and information about Forensics
|
click here to read an article from the New Yorker that illustrates the power of human facial identification
nas_report_on_forensic_science_2009.pdf |
click here for Washington Post history of Forensics article
|
Click here for Washington Post article on Trump Administration effort to end Forensics Commission
Click here for Science Friday episode on Junk Science in Forensics and the Forensics Commission under Trump
|
John Oliver on Junk Science in Forensics
|