In our
previous post
, we discussed the study paths of forensic professions in South Africa. We explained the difference in studying forensics versus entering the industry through field experience.
In this follow-up post, we will take a look at the main fields of forensic science. But first, let us take a look at the long relationship between forensics and law.
Using Forensics Science in court
In ancient Roman times, people who broke the law was ‘tried’ during the daily forum. This forum included community members made up of scholars, politicians, and merchants. The word 'forensic' stems from the Latin word 'forum'. What we know today as forensic science refers to the application of scientific disciplines to investigation in preparation of a case for court purposes.
Whether you are interested in working in a forensic laboratory, collecting evidence from a crime scene, conducting forensic investigations or working at forensic pathology services, the main objective of all forensic professions is to conduct an examination of evidence in order to aid in the findings in legal proceedings.
The legal system itself is a large and complex body of knowledge. That has consequently birthed a family of forensic careers. Take for example a situation where the police find an unknown substance in a person’s possession. A forensic laboratory first needs to analyse the substance and compile a report indicating that the substance fits the molecular profile of a drug. Only then will the police be able to prove any charge of drug possession against this person.
Corroborating evidence, applying scientific methods to investigations, and proving the elements of an alleged crime forms the basis for the use of Forensic Science.
Fields of Forensic Science
Now that we briefly discussed the history of forensic science and its application to the investigation process, we will look at the different fields of forensics science. These fields can be grouped into three main services.
Crime Scene Technician Services
This involved the collecting, preserving, and documenting of all evidence from the crime scene. The collection of evidence including fibres, hairs, fingerprints etc. Photography is used to capture and reconstruct a scene. Evidence storage is where the collected evidence is held for months and even years. These tasks are mainly the responsibility of the police but other forensics professionals like fraud examiners in the private sector would apply the same principles with the main aim to show that the chain of custody remained intact and that the evidence was not contaminated or tampered with. This is an extremely important function that can make or break a case. Think back to Oscar Pistorius case and how the mistreatment of evidence caused controversy during the court proceedings.
Physical Forensic Science Services
Trace evidence, firearm, and ballistics, questioned documents, toolmarks and fingerprint-examination are all critical to link physical evidence collected at the crime scene to a specific victim or suspect. For example, linking a shell casing with a firearm found in the possession of a suspect or to verify that writing on an important document belongs to a specific person.
Biological Forensic Science Services
From all three services, this one provides the most powerful conclusions in a case by applying scientific methods relevant to chemistry, biology, anatomy, physiology. An autopsy of a body or analysis of the skeletal remains could determine the gender, identity, and time and possible method of death. The analysis of bodily fluids can provide a Forensic DNA profile that can be compared with the DNA of the suspect or victim.
Today forensic science can use DNA analysis to assist in solving so-called ‘Cold-cases’; historical cases that were not resolved before DNA analysis became a valuable tool for investigators. Take for example the case of the American serial killer John Wayne Gacy. Out of the 27 bodies the police found buried underneath and around his house, 7 were not identified. In 2017 investigators have used DNA evidence to identify one of the seven remaining unknown victims.
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