Forensics in Criminal Justice

Forensic science, also known as criminalistics, is a Latin word meaning belonging to crime of justice or pertaining to the law. Forensic scientists are tasked with evaluating evidence from crime scenes and using natural and physical scientific methods to discover findings that can solve a crime and be used in court. Findings could mean the prosecution of a criminal or could absolve an innocent person from a wrongful conviction. The basis of forensic science is to ensure convictions or exonerations without bias or injustice.

First evidence is gathered at a crime scene and then further analysis is conducted in a laboratory. Physical evidence is often gathered and observed at the crime scene such as DNA, blood, clothing fibers, tire tracks, firearm residue, drugs, and other chemicals. One example forensic scientists look for is blood splatter patterns which determine where a shooter and victim must have been when the shot was fired or receipts which prove a certain location at a certain time or the purchase of items.  The blood, hair, and saliva left by perpetrator or victim at a crime scene are compared to the DNA of suspects. The Innocence Project reports that almost 400 people have been exonerated due to DNA results. Tests are then administered in a lab, and the data is analyzed and interpreted before being presented in a court of law.

There are a variety of specialties within forensic science and each is used in a different way to build a case. For example, forensic pathologists perform autopsies to determine the manner of death. Forensic engineers examine materials to identify defects or sources of material tied to crime. Lastly, forensic computer scientists examine activity from computers, cell phones, land lines, credit cards, and GPS devices. Forensic scientists can therefore answer all questions related to the crime, even when an eyewitness is not present. Who committed the crime? What crime occurred? How and why did the crime occur?