Role of forensic science in criminal investigation

1. RoleOfForensicsinCrime
Investigations
By,
Madona Mathew
School of Forensic Science & Risk Management
Raksha Shakti University, Gujarat
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2. Trace Evidence
• Evidence such as fibers, soil, hair, gunshot residue, wood, and
pollen are some of the many examples of trace evidence.
• It derives its name from its tendency to be easily transferrable
between objects, people or the environment during a crime.
• Trace evidence often plays a pivotal role in establishing a prime
link between a suspect and the victim.
• A soil sample obtained from the shoes of a victim can give critical
clues on the location of the crime and thus help in tracing the
perpetrator.
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3. Impression Evidence
• Impression evidence is the evidence created when two objects
come in contact with enough force to create an “impression”.
• This could involve a two-dimensional impression such as a
fingerprint or three-dimensional one such as the marks on a
bullet.
• Pattern evidence analysis involves identification and analysis
of additional information within an impression.
• Impression and pattern evidence when used in conjunction can
help establish vital links between a suspect/tool to a crime
scene.
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4. Fire Investigation
• Fire investigation involves the examination of all fire-related incidents
once firefighters have extinguished the fire.
• The practice is similar to the examination of crime scenes in that the
scene must be preserved and evidence collected and analyzed, but with
numerous additional difficulties and dangers.
• The investigation will include closely surveying the damaged scene to
establish the origin of the fire and eventually establishing the cause.
• In order to effectively examine and evaluate a fire scene, it is
imperative that the investigator has a detailed knowledge of the
chemistry and behavior of fire and its effects.
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5. Fingerprints in Forensics
• Fingerprints have been an important element in criminal investigations
since the beginning of the twentieth century.
• Often, a criminal can be identified on the basis of fingerprints alone.
• Fingerprints provide hard evidence in the courtroom.
• Fingerprints found at a crime scene can later be used to accurately
identify the person who committed the crime.
• This is because the fingerprints of each individual person "bear distinct
and unique patterns of loops, swirls and arches."
• No two people have the exact same fingerprints.
• The use of fingerprint evidence in the courtroom is "extremely
persuasive."
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6. Forensics & Questioned Documents
• Handwriting analysis is a precise art that requires hours of hard work
from skilled document examiners.
• Handwriting forensics is designed to uncover the small details in signatures
and handwriting that the untrained eye cannot see.
• Questioned document analysis also requires the comparison of a questioned
document against known standards to determine its origin.
• Handwriting identification is also necessary when revealing the identity of the
hand behind the document and in linking documents together.
• Examiners in this field use class characteristics and individual
characteristics to learn more about writing patterns and separate the true
documents from the forgeries.
• Results of professional forensic document examination can be used in a court
of law because of the scientific nature of the methods involved.
• Some cases can be swayed based on the expert opinions of these examiners
and fine details in the results.
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7. Digital Forensics
• Digital forensic science is the process of obtaining, analyzing and using
digital evidence in investigations or criminal proceedings.
• Digital evidence ranges from images of child sexual exploitation to the
location of a mobile phone.
• Encryption and cloud storage can inhibit digital forensic investigations, but
offer security and flexibility to users.
• Rapid development and adoption of technology is increasing demand for
digital forensic services. Methods such as triaging are being used to address
this demand.
• The role of computer forensics in crime has advanced to evidentiary
admission in a court of law.
• Computer forensics is widely known for catching criminals in various types of
fraud.
• Demand is high for expertise in computer forensics.
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8. Forensic Psychology
• Forensic psychology brings behavioral research into the courtroom.
• It also plays a larger and crucial role in the world of criminal justice.
• Expertise in Forensic Psychology is often required by judges, attorneys, police
officers, city planners, school administrators, mental health facilities,
correctional institutions, military units, and the private sector.
• Forensic psychology often plays a role in punishing and preventing crimes.
• Forensic psychology is described as the merger of law and psychology.
• This field of psychology is often focused on the criminals themselves.
• Professionals in this field are often given the sinister responsibilities of trying
to figure out why certain types of people commit crimes; what type of person
commits a crime; and how to prevent people from committing crimes.
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9. Cyber Forensics
• Cyber forensics focuses to preserve evidence in its most original form so that
a structured investigation can be performed to reconstruct past events.
• Cyber forensic investigators are experts in investigating encrypted data
using various types of software and tools.
• The tasks for cyber investigators include recovering deleted files, cracking
passwords, and finding the source of the security breach.
• Cyber Forensics involves the analysis of evidence found in computers and
digital storage media like pen drives, hard disks etc.
• Its major objective is identifying, preserving, recovering, analyzing, and
presenting facts and opinions about the digital information.
• Although it is mostly used for the investigation of cyber crimes, it is also
widely used in civil proceedings.
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10. Forensic Biology/ DNA
• Apart from fingerprint analysis, DNA profiling is the other
commonly used forensic technique in criminal investigations.
• DNA being as unique to an individual as fingerprints, help forensic
professionals identify or confirm an unidentified person, or to
eliminate suspects from a list of accused.
• The biological evidence most commonly used for DNA profiling
include blood, saliva, semen, skin, urine, and hair.
• However, DNA fingerprints are usually never used as the single
piece of evidence in the court of law.
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11. Forensic Toxicology
• Forensic Toxicology involves analysis of biological samples to check
for the presence of toxins and drugs.
• This branch of forensic science is of prime importance in road
accidents, poisoning, sexual violence etc.
• The toxicology reports furnish key information about the nature of
substances present in an individual pertaining to an incidence.
• It also determines whether the quantity of substances are normal as
per a therapeutic dosage or exceed the permissible level.
• Since newer variants of drugs are developed each day, this branch of
forensic science is ever-evolving and demands up-to-date approach.
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12. Ballistics
• Ballistics is a specialized forensic science that deals with the
motion, behavior, dynamics, angular movement and effects of
projectiles, such as bullets, rockets, missiles, bombs etc.
• The examination of the bullet found at a crime scene can
reveal what type of gun was used to fire it and whether it is
associated with any other crime in the past.
• Ballistic details are documented in a large database that is
accessible by law enforcement agencies across the globe.
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13. Forensic Anthropology
• This deals with the examination of compromised human
remains or skeletons to help determine the age, height,
gender, and ancestry.
• It also helps establish the time since death by identifying
and examining injuries, if any.
• These analyses give valuable leads to investigators on
identifying victims, especially in cases where the bodies are
beyond recognition.
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14. Forensic Pathology
• Forensic pathology is a branch of pathology that helps
determine the cause of death by examining a corpse.
• Forensic medicine thus involves the collection and
analysis of medical samples to deduce facts admissible in
the court of law.
• Forensic pathologists can examine exit and entry wounds
in deaths pertaining to the use of firearms or other
projectiles.
• A forensic pathologist can, therefore, draw crucial
inferences on whether the death is natural, criminal or
accidental.
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15. Forensic Odontology
• Forensic odontology helps in the identification of victims
when the body is left in an unrecognizable state.
• This is achieved through an examination of their teeth, the
alignment, and overall structure of the mouth.
• Forensic dentists or odontologists aid in the comparative
identification of a person by examining the development and
anatomy of the teeth including any restorative dental
corrections such as filling.
• It is often applied to criminal investigations for bite mark
analysis.
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16. Thankyou
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