Importance of Forensic Evidence in Court
Forensic science (also referred to as forensics) is the stream that applies to a wide range of scientific principles and methodology for the purpose of gathering evidence in civil or criminal cases. The primary focus of forensic research is the authentication or further analysis of some sample (or corpse) found at the scene of a crime.
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Objective
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The purpose of forensic research is to provide support to judicial or criminal investigation process, by first finding traces of evidence that are otherwise not easily detectable, and then retracing or building the sequence of events as they might have occurred during the actual crime. Forensic scientists follow Locard's principle that "every contact leaves a trace."
Significance
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Forensic science is therefore primarily about credential validation -- either ascertaining the identity of the people involved in the crime or establishing a linkage between them and the criminal activity. However, it should also be noted that any advancements in forensic techniques go in tandem with enhanced knowledge of how to circumvent being detected in any such forensic investigation.
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Forensic DNA Analysis
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Forensic DNA analysis is the study of DNA uniqueness to find answers related to parental credentials or establishing the involvement of a suspect, as in the case of rape investigation, for example.
Types of Forensic Evidence
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Forensic evidence involves a number of disciplines. The following are key among them:
- Forensic pathology involves medicine and pathology study to determine a death or injury causes.
- Forensic engineering pertains to structural examination and analysis with the purpose of establishing the cause of damage or failure.
- Forensic photography takes the pictures at the crime scene for purposes of further investigation.
- Computational forensics develops algorithms and software that further aid in any forensic investigation.
- Digital forensics involves applying techniques for recovering evidence from electronic media.
- Forensic document examination establishes the authenticity of any disputed document using established techniques such as handwriting, potential authorship and age.
- Forensic accounting refers to study and interpretation of accounting evidence.
- Forensic psychology is the study of individual minds to determine circumstances behind a criminal's behavior.
- Forensic chemistry is the study of chemical evidences such as illicit drugs, accelerants used in arson, explosive or gunshot residues.
- Forensic toxicology teaches people how poison and drugs can potentially effect humans.
Role of Forensic Science in Litigation
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The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals made a clear distinction between forensic evidence that was admissible in the court of law vis-à-vis that which may have been produced as a result of independent research or during peripheral investigations. Litigation science can therefore be described as the data or analysis based on forensic research, but which has been explicitly prepared for use in the court of law and in consultation with attorneys and paralegals. Only such evidence may be admissible in the courts.
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