Behind the scenes of the forensic lab
Rachel E. Lovell, Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling in Sexual Assault Kits and Reforming the Response to Rape, 2023
Within these laboratories are forensic scientists who process cases and make decisions as to what gets tested and when. In order to become a forensic scientist in a lab, one must obtain the necessary background for a particular forensic discipline. Historically, forensic scientists were members of police departments dedicated to the testing of evidentiary items without explicit education requirements (Houck & Siegel, 2009). However, this is no longer the case, as the field of forensic science has advanced and specialized. Current forensic disciplines include forensic biology, latent fingerprints, firearms, and digital evidence. For the purposes of this chapter, we will focus on forensic biology as it is the most common testing type used in SAK testing. Forensic biology testing includes testing for the presence of biological fluid such as blood, semen, and saliva (Li et al., 2015). In order to become a DNA analyst, a forensic scientist must have a minimum of a BA/BS in biology, chemistry, or forensic science, and have taken coursework in statistics, population genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry (Li et al., 2015).
Evaluating Forensic Cases
Julie Dickinson, Anne Meyer, Karen J. Huff, Deborah A. Wipf, Elizabeth K. Zorn, Kathy G. Ferrell, Lisa Mancuso, Marjorie Berg Pugatch, Joanne Walker, Karen Wilkinson in Legal Nurse Consulting Principles and Practices, 2019
Forensic science is the application of sciences to matters of law (National Institute of Justice, 2017). Pathology, toxicology, biology, serology, chemistry, anthropology, odontology, psychiatry, computer technology and others are all forensic sciences. One branch of forensic science is criminalistics, dealing with the study of physical evidence related to a crime. It encompasses analysis of firearms, tool mark comparison, fingerprints, photography, evidence collection kits, and trace elements, among others (National Institute of Justice, 2015). Forensic experts provide written and oral testimony at trial. Such testimony may be a critical component of the case. The LNC assisting with cases where forensics science reports are available would need to be able to read and understand the results of these reports or can be expected to research the significance of the results and assist with locating and interfacing with expert witnesses.
Normal Anatomy
Burkhard Madea in Asphyxiation, Suffocation,and Neck Pressure Deaths, 2020
The advantage of CT over standard radiographs is the ability to image single ‘slices’ of the body in two dimensions, making a 3D representation of the body. This avoids the problems of overlapping structures, which considerably reduce the diagnostic ability of radiographs, particularly for soft tissue abnormalities. However, CT still cannot compete with the exquisite detail that can be obtained from radiographs to detect fractures in the extremities, such as the hands. CT has been greatly improved recently, with the advent of multi-slice spiral CT scanners allowing fast scanning and greater 3D image reconstruction ability. However, the greatest impact on forensic science has probably come from the decrease in the cost, and the increased availability of CT scanners.
Integrating Neuroscience in Criminal Law: The Dutch Situation as an Example
Published in International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 2019
Lucas Noyon, Michiel J. F. van der Wolf, Paul A. M. Mevis, Hjalmar J. C. van Marle
Admitted, the traditional method of behavioral explanatory diagnostics is liable to its fair share of criticism, as frequently expressed by legal psychologists. In a general sense, the step from research data to an explanatory and individualized story still lacks scientific support. However, that is specifically the step that traditionally brought behavioral science and criminal justice together, as both disciplines are asked to form judgements in individual cases. Brain scans and instruments score better with important scientific aspects such as reproducibility, but they lack the relevant translation to the court. That applies for now to all criminal justice-relevant concepts, the absence of intention or accountability which cannot be validated, the assessment of danger, sensitivity to punishment or treatment, etc. Risk assessment research has shown in the meantime that the combination of a scientifically supported instrument with a clinical interpretation based on knowledge about and experience with the involved person led to the best “predictions” (De Vogel, 2005). The embracing of “soft science” for more relevant and harder results seems to be a direction that sets an example for forensic science. Therefore, as neuroscientific information is most often incorporated in the assessment of criminal responsibility, it seems to be state of the art that the behavioral experts which are used to do these assessments—in conjunction with the neuroscientist—integrate (the relevance of) the neuroscientific findings in their interpretation and advice to the court.
Promoting the value of precision medicine to the public: the power of storytelling
Published in Expert Review of Precision Medicine and Drug Development, 2018
While some of these stories are fictitious, the medical scenarios are real and are compelling to an uninformed audience; however, a public medium is needed to disseminate these stories. A television program featuring stories about real patients may be the best approach. Shows about medicine have been popular since the advent of television itself. Nevertheless, a series focusing on precision medicine has not been produced or aired. Such a program must be first entertaining if it is to reach a wide audience. It will require the use of recurrent characters such that the audience is willing to invest their time and interest. This is a better approach than a medical or science documentary (e.g. ‘Forensic Files’ or ‘Nova’). The popular television series, Crime Scene Investigations has national sparked interest among the public in forensic science [15]. Perhaps, a similar series focusing on precision medicine could entice a television studio to invest in a proposal of this kind. If precision medicine is to be adopted, an appeal from the public itself may be what is necessary to obtain the interest and funding that is necessary.
Violence Risk Assessment with the HCR-20V3 in Legal Contexts: A Critical Reflection
Published in Journal of Personality Assessment, 2022
Vivienne de Vogel, Tamara De Beuf, Stephane Shepherd, Richard D. Schneider
When violence risk assessment is included as expert evidence, it is expected to be unbiased. The issue of bias in forensic science and forensic psychology has recently gained more attention as the field came to realize that forensic evaluators –no different than other humans– are susceptible to bias (Neal & Grisso, 2014; Zapf & Dror, 2017). In forensic risk assessment, evaluators learned to rely on instruments to limit the impact of bias. Recent studies, however, suggest that these instruments are not a cure-all and biases may still impact the risk assessment (Neal & Brodsky, 2016). There is, for example, proof of adversarial allegiance in risk assessment, evidenced by experts assigning higher risk scores when they thought they were working for the prosecution compared to experts who believed they were working for the defense (Murrie et al., 2013).
Related Knowledge Centers
- Cartilage
- Drowning
- Surgery
- Toxicology
- Lung
- Genetic Analysis
- Fingerprint
- Bloodstain Pattern Analysis
- Polygraph
- Manner of Death