Forensic Science
| Author | Jeffrey Lehman, Shirelle Phelps |
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The application of scientific knowledge and methodology to legal problems and criminal investigations.
Sometimes called simply forensics, forensic science encompasses many different fields of science, including anthropology, biology, chemistry, engineering, genetics, medicine, pathology, phonetics, psychiatry, and toxicology.
The related term criminalistics refers more specifically to the scientific collection and analysis of physical evidence in criminal cases. This includes the analysis of many kinds of materials, including blood, fibers, bullets, and fingerprints. Many law enforcement agencies operate crime labs that perform scientific studies of evidence. The largest of these labs is run by the FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.
Forensic scientists often present EXPERT TESTIMONY to courts, as in the case of pathologists who testify on causes of death and engineers who testify on causes of damage from equipment failure, fires, or explosions.
Modern forensic science originated in the late nineteenth century, when European criminal investigators began to use fingerprinting and other identification techniques to solve crimes. As the field of science expanded in scope throughout the twentieth century, its application to legal issues became more and more common. Because nearly every area of science has a potential bearing on the law, the list of areas within forensic science is long.
Forensic medicine is one of the largest and most important areas of forensic science. Also called legal medicine or medical JURISPRUDENCE, it applies medical knowledge to criminal and CIVIL LAW. Areas of medicine that are commonly involved in forensic medicine are anatomy, pathology, and psychiatry.
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Many law enforcement agencies employ a forensic pathologist, sometimes called a medical examiner, who determines the causes of sudden or unexpected death. Forensic toxicologists, who study the presence of poisons or drugs in the deceased, often help forensic pathologists. Forensic odontologists, or dentists, analyze dental evidence to identify human remains and the origin of bite marks.
Forensic medicine is often used in civil cases. The cause of death or injury is considered in settling insurance claims or MEDICAL MALPRACTICE suits, and blood tests often contribute to a court's decision in cases attempting to determine the PATERNITY of a child.
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