Scientific Method Applied to Forensic Science in Criminal Justice - Term Paper Example

Scientific Method Applied to Forensic Science in Criminal Justice Scientific Method Applied to Forensic Science in Criminal Justice In the criminal justice system, today, proof has to be provided for cases to be judged accordingly. Forensic science has come to the aid of the criminal justice system. This is by allowing there to be time to analyse the said crimes, and the suspected criminals in order for there to be a comprehensive ruling on the case. Results must be analysed and produced in order for the criminal to be judged as per the crime committed. Proof beyond a reasonable doubt as presented by the forensic teams responsible must point out if the said crime was committed by the individual in question (Carter, 1996). This is the step that many governments have taken. They want to ensure the criminal justice system does not fail in giving justice to the victims of crimes. Also, that the alleged criminals do get a fair trial. This is as the evidence levelled against them should be able to point out their guilt, or their innocence. This paper will review the steps that are usually applied in forensic science to help the criminal justice system put criminals behind bars. Steps often used in forensic science lead to the realisation that certain facts are not what they seem to be. When a person is placed at the scene of a crime, some may think that they are automatically guilty of the crime. Some of the details about the crime may not be visible to the common people. However, with the introduction of science, there may be the determination of the facts about the crime, and the culprit (Carter, 1996). The first step includes the observation and description of a phenomenon, or a group of phenomena. Examiners may take their time to analyse the crime’s environment, and identify certain aspects about the crime that may not have been very clear to the common individual. An example is the analysing of a bullet at the scene of a crime. Observing and analysing the ballistics report on the bullet fragments and the related issues concerning the environment of the crime, could lead an examiner in knowing certain things. Certain things like the gun that was used, the range from which it was shot, and other intricate details relating to the crime. Patterns of the blood stains could also be used to determine if the suspected criminals could be placed at the scene of the crime. This is if the clothes they wore were stained. However, the legal body representing the accused could claim their innocence (Houck & Siegel, 2010). This is by claiming that they could not be capable of shooting someone. It is, therefore, the work of the examiner to not rely solely on ballistics report. This is where the examiner involves the next step. The next step or stage involves hypothesis formulation, which explains the, occurrence of the phenomena or phenomenon (Houck & Siegel, 2010). Examiners often formulate questions as to how the crime was committed. These questions can help in determining the relation that existed between the victim, the crime, and the criminal. Theories are often formulated surrounding the incident. A picture is formulated in the minds of the examiners (Houck & Siegel, 2010). This is where, for example, a gun will be placed at the scene of the crime with relation to the bullet fragments, or bullet if present. Here at this stage, the firearm examinations can be conducted to determine whether the said firearm was implemented at the time the incident did occur. The trajectory of the bullet can also be determined by the examiners. This is often to identify the path the bullet took from when it was fired from the gun, to when it hit its victim. In determining the route, the bullet took to its victim the examiner can know how the crime was instigated. This is where the examiner uses the hypothesis created to predict the presence of other phenomena. This is considered to be the next stage. This stage can be looked at as being the most crucial part. However, the other two that come before it are just as important (Petherick & Turvey, 2009). Without the two, it could be impossible to get to this stage. It is, therefore, important not to overlook certain steps. That is why procedure has to be followed in forensic science where the lives of people are at stake. Determining whether a person is innocent, or condemning a person to life imprisonment can be a hard task. That is why the examiners have to be very professional about what it is they do (Shaler & Bell, 2008). Personal feelings should not take toll in such a job since it is not wise to let emotions cloud their better judgement. The results of new observations are figured out in this third stage. Examiners try to explain what it is they have observed in the crime environment or crime scene. As they observe the crime scene over and over, they get the realisation as to what exactly occurred, and try to re-create the scene of the crime. The examiners then give the cause and the effect of the goings on around the crime scene. The hypothesis they tend to create becomes the cause while the observation becomes the effect (Petherick & Turvey, 2009). The hypothesis is an account, a detailed explanation, of the observation that was created earlier on by the examiners. Once more, data is collected about the crime, and then, more detailed accounts about the crime can be created to replace, or modify the ones that already existed. Since science is a continuous never ending process, there are times that examiners may create some errors in the manner in which they conduct their research. These errors can be corrected. However, realising that errors might have occurred may be too late for all the people involved. Therefore, some people have come out and challenged the findings made by the examiners at places of crimes (Petherick & Turvey, 2009). They do this for the sake of justice to prevail. Also, they try to figure out the main agenda behind a crime, and the real culprits behind that crime. This is where the next and final stage comes into play. The stage involved in the scientific method applied in forensic science in criminal justice involves performance of tests. The performance of tests of predictions by other independent experimenters is done to ensure that the earlier prognosis was conducted in the right manner. At this stage, the independent examiners determine whether the hypothesis carried out by the other examiners is supported by the results achieved. Experiments are conducted then the results are indicated. Here, they are used to determine if the earlier hypothesis carried out was indeed plausible. The experiments must be conducted on a number of occasions so as to determine a result that is not coincidental. The results achieved each time the experiments are conducted should be certain, and intended (Shaler & Bell, 2008). The criminal justice system relies heavily on the assumptions, analysis and conclusions that forensic science comes up with. This implies that the research carried out must be very true and accurate. The improvement in the field of science has enabled the justice system to put its trust in the field of science. Errors, in turn, have been reduced over the past, recent years. The number of convictions of the innocent has also reduced. Forensic science is, therefore, responsible for putting criminals behind bars and helping justice prevail (Shelton, 2010). This field is almost attaining perfection. This is since the certainty of apprehending criminals is very high. This is as soon as science is brought in to analyse the crime environments. The contribution of science in the criminal justice system must be applauded. This is as the steps are outlined to show of the methods applied by forensic science in the criminal justice system. Funding should be made available for such practices to ensure people get the justice they so desperately need. Many people around the world do not seem to understand, or appreciate it. This makes those who have devoted their lives to forensic science be demoralised. Governments should make room for the learning of forensic science in learning institutions (Wolfs, 2007). They should be in a position to provide the necessary tools for this field to grow independently. This would show their appreciation for the field, and the people involved in it. In conclusion, forensic science has helped the criminal justice grow, develop and achieve excellence. This is with the accuracy it has provided the criminal justice system. The public can now rely on it since its credibility is being witnessed all over the world with the number of solved crimes it has helped prosecute. However, for this science to achieve perfection, it is tantamount that evidence is not compromised in any way for the practice to fully function. Experts in this field can then perform their duty with extra conviction. This then shows that they are proud of their efforts in creating a safer and much more tolerable living environment. It is time that the world embraced the use of forensic science in dealing with crimes and the persecution of criminals. This can enable them to achieve excellence in their own criminal justice systems (Siegel, 2009). References Carter, J. (1996). The scientific method. New York: Bantam Books. Houck, M. M., & Siegel, J. A. (2010). Fundamentals of forensic science. London: Sage Publishers. Petherick, W., & Turvey, B. E. (2009). Forensic criminology. New York: McGraw Hill Publishers. Shaler, R. C., & Bell, S. (2008). Encyclopaedia of forensic science. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Shelton, D. (2010). Forensic science in court: Challenges in the twenty-first century. New Zealand: Butterworth Publishers. Siegel, L. J. (2009). Introduction to criminal justice. Oxford: Hart Publishing. Wolfs, F. (2007).  Introduction to the scientific method. New York: PULP. Read More