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Forensic science is the application of science when investigation is opened the collection of evidence and processing said evidence to then be used to prove criminality

This can range from DNA such as saliva, blood,hair folucules,skin flakes and fingerprints

This can also be in the form of pathology and the investigation and disection of a victim

Forensics science is essentially the investigative collection and processing of any physical attributes found at a crime scene

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The way evidence is collected is as follows

The documentation of the crime scene (photographing the crime scene and evidence)

Collecting trace materials such as point of entry

Swabbing for low level DNA evidence at likely points of contact

The collection of items that may contain biological evidence

The collection of fingerprints

Evidence is accounted for and placed within a log to preserve them for later analysis

The evidence is then sent to the Forensic lavatory for further inspection and testing

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Forensic science is an applicable form of evidence to most crimes though it does connect more to crimes involving physical altercation such as

Murder

Battery

Rape

Assault

Any crime in which physical damage has been committed

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1. Forensic science is used to help identify victims of crimes and victims of disasters. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process can make millions of copies of DNA from just a few skin cells. These DNA techniques can help tie criminals to a crime and victim. DNA is also used in disaster situations where bodies may not be able to be identified by other means. This can be done by taking samples of blood, bodily fluids, hair etc from the crime scene.

2. DNA can be linked to a suspect or can eliminate a suspect from suspicion

3. It can help narrow down suspects, find more evidence, produce a timeline of events. One of the advantages of forensics is that it includes many specialist areas with expertise such as computers.

4. Forensics has the ability to prove actual innocence in cases where the defendant was wrongly convicted.

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Contamination: If evidence is not collected, maintained, packaged and analysed correctly there is a risk of contamination. Contamination renders all evidence at the scene useless. The case of Farah Jama, a man who was falsely convicted of rape in 2006, despite having an alibi and there being no independent corroboration of evidence led to a false conviction. This was because of forensic evidence which was later found to be contaminated. He served 15 months in prison. This is a weakness because if evidence is contaminated, it can not only lead to miscarriages of justice but failing to find the real offender.

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Cold Cases Solved: Death of baby Theresa, 2009: 

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Cold Cases Solved: Death of baby Theresa, 2009: 

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Solved in 2022. Baby Theresa’s mother was sentenced to 3 years of probation after her guilty plea for concealing the death of her child

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Misapplication/Bias

Contamination

Limited amount of evidence available (certain forensic testing needs a minimum sample size)

The equipment is highly sensitive, making it possible to detect irrelevant data

Perishable evidence - Some evidence disappears eventually so depending on speed and access

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While forensic science can be invaluable tool when prosecuting and investigating criminal cases is does however fall short in a few aspects, one example of this would be contamination. A case study to support this point would be the case of Amanda Knox.The investigative team in hargeisa of the case were said to improperly collect evidence and placing evidence within the incorrect collection points. This failing is obviously a weakness as it does not properly collect the invaluable evidence and is there for inadmissible and in cases such as Amanda Knox relates to the miscarriage of justice.

Another weakness would be the sensitivity of evidence as some forms of DNA can be time sensitive which of course leads to problems when collecting evidence in such a small time frame. Or that most collection technology requires a minimum amount of dna to assess it meaning in some cases there has not been enough physical evidence to properly come to a conclusion

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Misapplication/Bias: Misapplying forensics is the cause of a quarter of wrongful convictions since 1989. Misapplication is using evidence and exaggerating the connection to the person of interest. In the case of Anthony Hicks who was falsely convicted of rape and robbery. Hair was found at the scene which a forensic analyst insisted were 'consistent' with examples provided by Hicks however all original DNA testing was inconclusive due to insufficient sample size. The analyst's bias led to misapplication. This is a weakness as forensics is relied on and cannot be used liberally. It has to be evidence and fact based.

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Exonerates the innocent

Identification

Allows evidence to explain the narrative

Forensic science has several disciplines - variety of evidence

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Cold Cases Solved: Nancy Marie Bennallack

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Cold Cases Solved: Nancy Marie Bennallack

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The 28 year old was murdered in her apartment in October of 1970. The case remained unsolved for nearly 52 years. It was finally solved in August of 2022 thanks to advancements in technology