Forensic Science and Science Essay

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Forensic Science

Since its introduction in the 8th century by Chinese authorities who used fingerprints to identify the authenticity of clay sculptures and documents (Forensic science history, 2016), modern forensic science has experienced a number of trends that have fundamentally changed the manner in which practitioners use technology to investigate crime scenes to provide courts of competent jurisdiction with the information they need to formulate decisions concerning guilt and innocence. To gain some new insights concerning these recent trends, this paper reviews the relevant literature to describe four salient features each of objective forensic techniques such as DNA and empirical forensic techniques such as fingerprinting. An assignment of weights to various measures that are intended to improve the performance of forensic science practitioners and supporting rationale is following by a discussion concerning recent federal ruling concerning forensic science evidence. Finally, a description of two measures that can be used to minimize the so-called "CSI effect" on juries is followed by a summary of the research and important findings concerning these trends in forensic science in the conclusion.

Description of four salient features of objective forensic techniques such as DNA

1. Forensic techniques for the detection of chemicals, explosive residues and drugs involve specific technical methods for instruments and sample handling;

2. The results of objective forensic techniques provide scientifically verifiable individual or group identification;

3. The technologies used in forensic techniques are complex; and,

4. Practitioners require high levels of education, training and accreditation to perform forensic tests.

Description of four salient features of empirical forensic techniques such as fingerprinting

1. Empirical forensic techniques must rely on technical skills, anecdotal expert experience and subjective interpretation;

2. Empirical forensic techniques require verification by a second examiner;

3. Empirical forensic techniques such as fingerprinting assume that no two fingerprints are alike; and,

4. Empirical forensic techniques require that steps be taken to preserve the evidence.

Ranking of forensic science measures intended to improve performance and supporting rationale

a. Accreditation by professional bodies.

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In order for the results of objective forensic techniques to be accurate and valid, forensic laboratories must be accredited by relevant professional organizations. In this regard, Buker (2012) reports that, "Accreditation is suggested as a must for the U.S. crime labs to improve the quality of examinations conducted and to diminish the likelihood of malpractice problem" (p. 179). Most forensic laboratories in the United States are accredited by the American Society of Crime Lab Directors (ASCLD) and in order to be accredited by this professional body, forensic laboratories must demonstrate their ability to: (a) maintain their physical abilities, (b) employ up-to-date technical instruments, and (c) demonstrate the existence of appropriate documentation and quality control/assurance procedures (Buker, 2012, p. 179). In addition, accreditation also requires that credentialing for laboratory personnel has been accomplished (Buker, 2012). Moreover, in order to remain accredited, forensic laboratories must pass periodic inspections by the ASCLD to ensure that they are maintaining the requisite standards (Buker, 2012). The importance of accreditation is described by one practitioner as follows:

We have scientists coming from other laboratories reviewing all of our work, making sure that it's up to standards that exist throughout the whole country and across the world, making sure that we're not doing anything that's different from what is generally accepted in the forensic science community, maintaining that accreditation I think is really, really, really important. (cited in Buker, 2012, p. 179)

Based on this characterization, the importance of the accreditation receives an 9 on a scale from 1 to 10 because this process serves to ensure that the next two issues discussed below are adequate and appropriate.

b. Training. Given the sophisticated nature of most of the equipment and analytical techniques that are used in modern forensic science applications, the importance of training for forensic laboratory personnel cannot be overstated. In addition, ensuring that all forensic laboratory personnel are appropriately trained can.....

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