Forensic Technology - Report Example

Forensic Technology Introduction Forensic technology, defined and considered a specific emerging field, consists of tools, techniques and methods,developed for research purposes, to assist legal investigations. Forensic scientists are deployed to work in close coordination with expert search teams, forensic entomologists, forensic botanists, forensic archaeologists, forensic pathologists, cyber forensics and other research fields to find and investigate evidence at crime scenes. Forensic technology assists in investigating domestic crime, fraud, cyber crime, murder, war crimes, crimes against humanity, recover of mass disaster victims, and repatriation of war dead (Hunter & Cox, 2005). Forensic technology helps to discover and solve the events pertaining to a specific crime scene or disposal site. Generally, each crime scene brings its own unique set of questions requiring answers to unveil the truth as the circumstances of each investigation differ considerably. The questions may include but not limited to the way crime was conducted, identities of victims, timeframe of crime and presence of any other material that may assist investigations (Oxenham, 2008). Ian (2010) is of the view that even these techniques are mainly borrowed from other sciences, forensic science has itself developed and matured over the years. Numerous scientific techniques have been developed and refined to support preservation, analysis and interpretation of evidence for forensic purposes. Forensic science cannot be isolated since advancements in other fields of science have been integrated to forensic technology over the years. 2. History of Forensic Science Forensic scientists employ scientific methods and techniques to obtain the evidence from dandruff to DNA and from ammunition to infrared spectrophotometry (Tilstone, Savage & Clark, 2006). Ancient world lacked sophisticated and standardized methods in forensics to analyze and interpret the evidence, but still many accounts in the forensic analysis have been found in ancient history like Archimedes’ analysis for volume of crown in water. In 16th century, European medical practitioners tried analyze cause of death. Similarly, Swedish scientists developed methods for detection of arsenic in 17th century. Juan Vucetich in Argentina solved first criminal case on forensic basis by analyzing the bloody finger prints on a door. First school of forensic was established in 1909 by Rodolphe Archibald Reiss at University of Lausanne. The inquisitiveness to answer questions that have gripped the entire human history including the criminal justice system on scientific basis is over a century old. The courts made opinions of experts admissible inform of fingerprints in and postmortem where these were earlier left to discretion of jury. With the tremendous advancements in science and technology, different specialized fields and areas of expertise emerged. The witness and evidence supported on scientific analysis has now become a routine in helping jury to find guilty. United States became the main center for development of forensic science from 1930 to 1980. According to Bell, Fisher and Shaler (2008), still at start of twentieth-first century, US holds majors advancements in the field when investigators and scientists are using methods and techniques not thought of a generation before. 3. Classification of Forensics For investigative purposes, forensic science can be viewed as a combination of distinct areas including (Purdue university forensic science, 2012): Forensic Anthropology. Application of physical anthropology in legal scenario. Cyber Forensic. Use and analysis of digital data that is admissible in court of law. Forensic Engineering. Investigation into material and structure of components that fail prior to completion of expected duration resulting in accidents. Forensic Entomology. It involves use of insects and anthropodology to study the decomposed materials and bodies to help in investigations. Foensic Odontology. It is the study to human teeth to establish information regarding origin, life style, geographical area and types of food and drinks consumed by the victim. Forensic Psychology. The varying aspects of human behavior. Forensic Toxicology. It involves study to find plausible explanations for deaths caused by poisons and such materials. 4. Myths of Forensics From the word forensic, many people would conjure up images of most popular crime series CSI where Gill Grissom ponders a crime scene and searching clues hidden in skeletal remains of the victim. In contrast to such perceptions indoctrinated by entertainment, are the realties of 2004 tsunami killing around 230,000 people, Bali bombings and killings, tortures and rapes between 1998 and 2003 at Solomon Islands as a result of natural and human caused disasters. Popular but somewhat not realistic perception and understanding of forensic science has brought much awareness in public and government and has influenced the court system, that it is now called “CSI effect” (Toobin, 2007). First myth that forensic investigators work only on murder cases is not true rather they investigate cyber crimes, fraud, immigration documentation, abuses and drug crimes. Another myth is that forensic investigators never make mistakes and criminals always make mistakes; however, in real life many criminals know how to take measure against leaving any evidence and deceiving a forensic test. Earlier fingerprints were used to incriminate a person, now it’s DNA profiling. Fingerprint analysis is the first step and requires careful documentation and examination. Million people in the world have neither been fingerprinted nor DNA sampled, thus if the same is not matched with the database, chances of finding a criminal become remote Testing a powdery material as shown in many movies is not a realistic scenario since taste is not a good test and there exist a number of methods to foil the taste of cocaine, heroine and other drugs. Marking with chalk around a body is not a good practice as it disturbs the crime scene and is rarely used in crime scene investigations. Similarly, crime scenes show an investigator carefully lifting a pistol by inserting pencil in its barrel, which is in fact a terrible mistake and may destroy the evidence (Bell, Fisher & Shaler, 2008). Using chloroform to incapacitate a person, as shown in many scenes, is quite far from realty since the effect of chloroform is not instantaneous and a person would struggle and likely convulse for considerable time. Estimating the exact time of death is not possible but good approximations can be made on the basis of body temperature and cooling, stomach contents, skeleton examination and entomology. 5. Forensic Methods and Techniques It is difficult to develop a precise definition for forensic science. In a broad spectrum, it is the application of different scientific techniques and methods to analyze evidence for legal and criminal investigations. DNA profiling, finger print analysis and drug identification are few obvious forensic techniques involving specialized equipment, computers and experts handling these systems. Range of scientific methods and their applications in different fields is quite broad including but not limited to criminal justice, environmental and wildlife enforcement, immigration documentation and parental testing (Tilstone, Savage & Clark, 2006). According to Max and Jay (2011), forensic analysis methods include: Chromatography, spectroscopy, hair and fiber analysis, and serology (such as DNA examination) Pathology, anthropology, odontology, toxicology, entomology, structural engineering, and examination of questionable documents Behavioral patterns revealed by tests, such as polygraphs and psychological exams 6. Handling Mechanism Identification, collection, preservation and analysis of evidence for forensic purpose needs high degree of professionalism so that the evidence of its status does not become questionable in court (Jackson & Jackson, 2011). This may involve following steps: Planning, organization and coordination
. Planning at crime site helps to identify what all resources may be used, what is relevant and what is not, nature of accident, any assistance required. Based on initial evaluation of crime scene, organization and coordination of work is done prior to actual forensic work. This continues through out the investigation and helps to define basic handling protocols like authority, responsibility and communication requirements. Preservation of the scene and its evidence. Preservation of crime scene starts as soon as crime is reported and lasts till the evidence collection process is complete and scene is released. Documentation of the scene and its evidence Documenting the scene and all evidences collected using the appropriate means like photography, sketches and measurements is an important part of crime scene investigation. For each physical evidence, documentation is done before the evidence is removed or moved to any other desired area. Identification, collection, recovery and preservation of physical evidence. The purpose of this challenging part is to identify the maximum evidence that is relevant to the crime, selection of appropriate techniques for recovery and preservation of evidence. Transportation and storage. The purpose of this last step is identify and use the most appropriate methods for transportation and storage of evidences in a way that their integrity is maintained. 7. Crime Reconstruction and Evidence Dynamics According to Chism and Turvey (2011), forensic reconstruction of crime is divided into three specialties namely Specific Incident Reconstruction. This involves reconstruction of the entire crime scene. Specific Event Reconstruction. This involves precise reconstruction of any single specific event in the entire accident. Specific Physical Evidence Reconstruction. Reconstruction of more details like use of firearm and splashes of blood are done primarily in this specialty. 8. Forensic Software With more advancement in computer technology and software engineering, a number of forensic software have been developed each aimed to provide a specific or multipurpose forensic analysis (Timberline Technologies, 2009). Most commonly used software are discussed below Product Name Description BitFlare Bitflare, developed by SunBlock Systems, is software used t identify suspicious data on any computer through analysis of metadata. EnCase This is a fully integrated forensic application for Windows. ForensiX It provides a forensic examination system for computer evidences. IMAGE This utility can be used to generate physical images of any computer drive and disk. 9. Future Advancements Bell, Fisher and Shaler (2008) are of opinion that with advancements in science and technology, forensic science is also progressing at an accelerated pace. They are of the view that although DNA profiling is the main area but is not the only area that would undergo advancement and progress in near future. The future may include Smart and Portable DNA Profiling Equipment Expansion of Fingerprint and DNA Database More Precision in Computer Modeling Forensic Deception Analysis Development of More Sensitive Equipments Decrease in Size of Equipment for Chemical Analysis Statistical Analysis Networking Pattern Matching 10. Forensic Laboratory Accreditation Mozayani & Noziglia (2011) reported that in United States, there are two main bodies for accrediting the forensic laboratories Forensic Quality Services (FQS) American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) Both agencies offer accreditation under the umbrella of International Standards Organization (ISO). Till November 2008, 179 state laboratories, 114 local agencies, 22 federal, 11 international and 24 private laboratories have been accredited by ASCLD/LAB where 53 laboratories have been accredited by FQS. 11. Forensic Evidences in Criminal Courts Regardless of doubts casted on the validity of forensic evidence during last 20 years, criminal courts continue to admit evidences analyzed on scientific grounds as a routine. Although there are questions concerning validity of evidences other than the DNA evidence, courts at trial and appellate level continue to admit all type of forensic evidences, unless government states that a certain type of evidence is not admissible on scientific ground. Studies have suggested that use of forensic evidences by defendants in civil courts was more successful than in criminal courts where government evidences were refuted only in 10% of cases. One reason for this could be used of higher quality and precision of government forensic technologies in criminal courts and other could be ability of jury to question the validity of forensic evidences provided by defendant in civil courts. Although many scientists, researchers and law body members seriously question validity of non-DNA evidences, same are being admitted by trial courts (Shelton, 2011). References Bell, S., Fisher, B., & Shaler, R. (2008). Encyclopedia of forensic science. New York: VB Hermitage. Chism, J., & Turvey, B. (2011). Crime reconstruction. (2 ed.). California: Academic Press. Hunter, J., & Cox, M. (2005). Forensic archaeology: Advances in theory and practice. (1 ed.). New York: Routledge. Ian, G. (2010). Forensic Technology. (1 ed.). London: Evans Brothers Limited. Jackson, A., & Jackson, J. (2011). Forensic science. (3 ed.). England: Pearson Publications Limited. Max, H., & Jay, S. (2011). Fundamentals of Forensic Science. Oxford: Elsevier Publishers. Mozayani, A., & Noziglia, C. (2011). The forensic laboratory handbook procedures and practice. (2 ed.). New York: Humana Press. Oxenham, M. (2008). Forensic approaches to death, disaster and abuse. (1 ed.). Brisbane: Australian Academic Press. Purdue University. (2012). Purdue university forensic science. Retrieved from http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~pufsc/types.html Shelton, D. (2011). Forensic science in court. (1 ed.). Plymouth: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Timberline Technologies. (2009). Alphabetical list of computer forensics products. Retrieved from http://www.timberlinetechnologies.com/products/forensics.html Tilstone, W., Savage, K., & Clark, L. (2006). Forensic science : An encyclopedia of history, methods and techniques. (1 ed.). California: ABC-CLIO Inc. Toobin, J. (2007, May 07). The CSI effect: The truth about forensic science. The New Yorker. Read More