Crime Scene Investigation - Research Proposal Example

? Research Proposal, Psychology al Affiliation) Research Proposal, Psychology Introduction Crime scene investigation is thescience used to provide facts in cases of legal proceedings. It is dated back to the 700 BC where the early man used clay to take finger and hand prints. The prints would later be used to identify wrong doers. Evolution of crime scene investigation’s evolution is evident over the years and the most evident one is from Julius Caesar’s case. In this case, a Roman doctor was able to tell the wound that lead to his death out of the twenty-three stab wounds. In the 1800s, forensic science had taken a new outline. Psychologists had started categorizing criminals based on sex, age, physical appearance, geographical location and level of education. This had a significant contribution to forensic science because it provided a better understanding of the criminal involved. In case of a murder, they were able to tell the time of murder from the body temperature. Law enforcers also used systematic fingerprinting to identify bodies. In the 1900s, scientists had invested on research and came up with better ways to analyze a crime scene. This included the polygraph machines, DNA forensics, advanced fingerprint identification, voiceprint identification and gun blast analysis. In the early 2000 up to date, technological advancements have been made through increased scientific research. Theoretical framework There are different theories that explain criminology and forensics. They maybe categorized according to human behavior, surrounding environment and biology of genes. Most of the theories try to explain the cause of crime. The Social strain theory elaborates on dreams and expectations of individuals as a cause of crime. Depending on societies, different social expectations are portrayed. Failure to obtain certain set standards in the society will lead to an individual indulging in criminal activities make his/her dreams true. Individual theories explain more on how character traits lead to criminal activities. Some criminals learn from their relatives and parents while others go through hard times while they are young. This is evident in most of the serial killers where most of them have an awful experience in their early years. Objectives To determine the causes of maximum and minimum stress levels To come up with to overcome stress and strain caused by the criminal cases To determine how investigators agree on the real crime offender How frequently do CSI’s have to investigate violent criminal cases? Frequency of crime scene investigators investigating a case depends on the number of cases that are reported. This makes an average of as high as three cases per week. Major universities in the United States of America offer support by offering criminology graduates internship programs at the CSI headquarters. To keep up with this frequency, universities and other learning in situation have offered learning forensic science courses. What type of investigations do CSI’s have to conduct on a routine basis? Crime scene investigators offer investigations to a variety of cases. The most frequent ones include homicide, burglary, fire investigations and suicide cases among others (Godwin, 2011). However, most cases in the United States are crime related hence homicides. Law enforcers have to find the perpetrators of these actions hence request the forensics unit to come in and carry out advanced investigations. What is the minimum and maximum stress level that CSI’s have to bear while being on duty? The stress level depends on the number of cases presented to be investigated. While on duty, these investigators have to work in shifts in case of a maximum stress level. Additionally, to reduce maximum stress levels, learning institutions offer research and forensic services to the crime scene investigators. What are the major contributing factors for prolonged investigation stress? Prolonged investigation stress has been caused by use of advanced weapons by criminal to cover their tracks. Crime scene investigators face this major setback since some criminals use advanced weaponry and frame other people who law enforcers would believe would be involved in the case (Godwin, 2011). Lack of proper human registration also causes stress during investigations. Fingerprints may be found at the scene but they are not registered in the database. What are the strategies that CSI’s use to manage crime scene investigation stress? Due to increased criminal cases in the United States, investigators use a variety of strategies to manage investigation stress. They may use the public to try to identify a suspect. The government has also increased the number of crime scene investigators to meet the increased demand. This has reduced investigation stress in cases where investigators were overloaded with criminal cases to solve. Justification of psychological mechanism The use of the psychological coping mechanism in solving crime is vital to the crime investigators, innocent society members and the government. Psychological coping, is a mechanism that helps crime investigators to understand and explain the criminal dealings by understanding the criminal. Crime officers are also able to understand the crime patterns of the criminals hence they apply these skills to solve similar crimes in future. The use of psychological mechanisms has reduced the level of crimes in the society. Psychological coping mechanisms are proved and justified by investigating bodies globally as one of the best methods in solving crime (Godwin, 2011). Worldwide psychology has protected the innocent members from been prosecuted for crimes they have not perpetrated. However, with the skills and knowledge criminal officers are able to differentiate the actual criminals from the innocent. Significance The use of psychological coping mechanism in the investigation of major crimes in the society is imperative. This will be essential due to the continuous increase in crime rate in the society. Many crime investigation bodies globally trying to determine the relationship between the human behavior and crime have used psychological mechanisms. Human behavior can be used to obtain essential information or clues that would help in the investigation but can also act as a hindrance to acquisition of the information. According to the crime-researchers, for crime officers to probe criminal activities in the society they are expected to have unquestionable understanding of the psychological perception of beings. Psychology and psychological mechanisms have played an important role in sorting out crime suspects from the naive society members. This is because for an officer to solve a crime he or she needs to identify the suspects then gather evidence incriminating the actual perpetrator. Therefore, the psychological analysis is essential to protect the innocent from suffering out of the wrong activities done by other society members. In addition, Psychological coping mechanisms in crime activities can be used to reduce more crime activities in the society. Conclusion Psychological coping mechanisms are a vital tool in investigating crime in the society. They are used in different ways by criminal investigators since they help the officers understand human traits and behavior in relation to crime. In addition, these mechanisms help crime officers to gather knowledge, skills and are able to master crime patterns. Reference Godwin, G. M. (2011). Criminal psychology and forensic technology: a collaborative approach to effective profiling. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press. Read More