Arson and Explosives Evidence, Illicit Drugs and Toxicology - Essay Example

Arson and Explosives Evidence, Illicit Drugs and Toxicology Clues that can be found through analysis of biological evidence Technological advances in the world are making it much easier for the law to serve and protect its citizens. It is the duty and responsibility of those in such positions to ensure that the proper procedure is put into collecting, examining and presenting evidence found at crime scenes. The introduction of forensic science in institutions enables specialists to handle such issues, and help in bringing conclusions to a case based on the evidence gathered.

Detailed observation, examination, and analysis of different clues may result in putting together the evidence found at a crime scene. An example would be the presence of blood at a crime scene (Saferstein 149). A CSI may have the task of collecting the sample and taking it back to the laboratory ensuring that it is not further contaminated. Upon reaching the forensic laboratory, it is the duty of a forensic scientist to test the blood for any details that would seem out of place. Running the blood sample against the elements that may exist may provide a forensic scientist with adequate information about some other composition in the blood, or any other party that might have been present at the crime scene.

Another example would be the examination of a potential suspect with regard to memory loss. In this case, the CSI may have the task of trying to find out if the suspect is telling the truth or lying. Through some basic exams, for example; a verbal memory test, a CSI may read some of the behavioral signs the suspect may be providing subconsciously. Different tests may also provide clarity about the extent of her memory loss, for example; the viusospatial test. If the suspect scores low on this test, then they might have a problem.

Biological evidence can then be gathered through brain scans or imaging to find out what the problem might be (Saferstein 153). A specialist can then determine if the suspect is telling the truth when asked about the case, or if they are lying. Procedures to follow when collecting evidence The best thing to do with regards to a case is to have the ability to eliminate someone from a list of suspects. One way to ensure the evidence collected is reliable is to have a scope of the evidence that might be there at the time.

This scope may force a CSI to look for witnesses and their statements about the crime. Through documenting the crime scene as it is, a CSI may be better placed to understand what happened during and after the crime. Furthermore, it is crucial to have an open line of communication (Turvey 126). An open line of communication must exist among all the parties involved in the collection, analysis, and presentation of evidence in a case. These may be the responding officer, the CSI, and the detective at the crime scene.

This is to protect the integrity of the crime scene, and find out what might have happened, and at what time. Examining the crime scene must involve having to walk through it. This is done to get a layout of what transpired. Evidence is usually found as a result of this walk-through, where the CSI may determine how the crime scene might be handled. Documentation of a crime scene involves taking photos, which may determine the presence/absence of important details about the crime scene. The scale to which cameras may document details is beyond the human eye, which will then allow a forensic scientist to see and come up with conclusions about the scene of the crime.

Maintaining the chain of custody is crucial in the collecting, analyzing, and examining of evidence. It is seen as a means of assurance that all the right information passed through the proper channels before going to the next stage. This can demonstrate that the evidence is credible as it made its way from one chain of command, to the next (Turvey 138). How a CSI would defend their research in a court of law Evidence must be credible to be accepted in a court of law. CSIs have the uphill task of trying to prove their evidence through some of the processes they used to gather this information.

Fortunately, proper documentation may guide all those that need guidance in the courtroom as to why a certain procedure was best suited for that situation. Having proof of what was present and what was not may be an exceptional way of having individuals in the courtroom comprehend the extent of the collection, analysis, and presentation of evidence. The chain of custody, as indicated earlier, is quite crucial at this stage. The chain of custody; from the officer on the scene, to the court clerk may have written documents about which office held evidence, and at what time they did.

Proper evidence of what was at the crime scene and how it was handled may provide sufficient credibility to the office of the CSI, which means they are defending themselves in a court of law, through the evidence they provide (Saferstein 176). Works Cited Saferstein, Richard. Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science. London: Sage Publishers, 2011. Print. Turvey, Brent E. Criminal Profiling: An Introduction to Behavioral Evidence Analysis. New York: Macmillan Publishers, 2011. Print.