What Is Forensic Analysis?
Forensic analysis, sometimes called forensic science or forensics, applies science and methodology to legal and criminal investigations. Criminalistics involves the analysis of physical evidence from a crime scene. Forensic analysis is performed by scientists who dissect evidence and draw conclusions about how, why, when, where and by whom a crime was committed.
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Criminalistics
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Criminalistics refers to the collection and analysis of physical evidence related to a crime scene. Typically, field agents will collect evidence from a crime scene and turn it over to scientists for analysis. There are some circumstances in which forensic scientists will be required to work in the field or at a crime scene.
Evidence Collection
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The success of forensic analysis begins with expert identification, collection and preservation of physical evidence. Investigators must be trained to identify potential evidence and know how to collect and preserve evidence without contaminating it. This process begins with securing a crime scene to ensure it remains undisturbed. Physical evidence is then collected and transported to a crime lab for analysis. Forensic analysts rely on the knowledge and skill of investigators and crime-scene processors to provide evidence that has not been disturbed, damaged or otherwise contaminated. Forensic scientists may go to a crime scene to assist in evidence collection, but for the most part their work is done in a crime lab.
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The Crime Lab
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A crime lab uses state-of-the-art technology and techniques that allow scientists to evaluate, test and analyze evidence. It is a vital component of forensic science and where the majority of forensic analysis of physical evidence takes place. Crime labs are equipped to process and analyze different types of evidence from DNA to confiscated computer hard drives. Crime labs most often will have different sections dedicated to specific disciplines such as chemistry, latent prints, DNA and computer science. Public and private crime labs can be accredited through the American Society of Crime Lab Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board.
Scientific Analysis
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Because forensic science encompasses so many sub-specialties within the scientific field it requires the expertise of scientists from several disciplines. The process by which evidence is analyzed depends on what type of evidence is being investigated. The analysis of crime-scene evidence may involve forensic entomology, pathology, anthropology, odontology, toxicology, ballistics and genetics. Regardless of the type of evidence, forensic analysis requires procedural protocol, scientific methodology and documentation to validate scientific conclusions.
Forensic Analysis and the Judicial System
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Forensic analysis is a vital part of the criminal justice system. Investigators and prosecutors rely on scientific analysis to solve crimes, obtain arrest warrants and prosecute criminals. The role of forensic analysis, however, is not limited to one side of the law. Defense attorneys and civil litigators also use forensic analysis to defend clients or as evidence in civil proceedings. Forensic scientists are often called on to provide expert testimony in court. They are legally obligated to present unbiased testimony. In some cases the evidence will be in favor of the prosecution or complainant, and in others the defendant may benefit from the evidence presented by a forensic scientist.
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References
- New Jersey Association of Forensic Scientists: What is the Role of a Forensic Scientist?
- American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors: Laboratory Accreditation Board
- Truro Police Department: Evidence Collection
- Loyola University New Orleans: Courses--Forensic Science
- Kansas City Police Department: Regional Crime Lab
- Photo Credit microscope image by Fotocie from Fotolia.com
