Fields of Forensic Science

Forensic Science Chapters 2 - 9 Pgs 15-164

Chapters 23 – 31 Pgs 471-634

“A death that is unexpected or is thought to have been caused by injury or poison is always investigated for the purpose of determining whether it was a homicide.”

- Ronald K. Wright

Major Specialized Fields

• Forensic Pathology• Forensic Nursing• Forensic Toxicology• Forensic Odontology• Forensic Anthropology /

Archaeology• Forensic Taphonomy

• Forensic Entomology• Forensic Serology• Forensic Engineering• Forensic Technology• Forensic Psychology• Forensic Psychiatry• Forensic Document

Examination• Wildlife Forensics (new)

Defined....

Most Forensic Scientists specialize in only one area - however they may have training in others based on need.

The availability of different specialists varies by city, county, and state. Many specialist travel per request by locales.

Due to advances in the Forensics, and in technology, many fields are morphing and becoming diversified and more specialized.

Forensic Pathology

• Forensic pathology is a branch of medicine concerned with determining cause of death.

• Pathologists:– study disease– perform an autopsy and

examine the tissues removed– Analysis of fluids taken from the

body, such as blood or urine

Forensic Nursing

• The application of forensic science – combined with the biological and psychological education of a registered nurse – in the scientific investigation, evidence collection and preservation, analysis, prevention, and treatment of trauma and death-related medical issues.

• Deals with living victims• SANE – sexual assault

nurse examiner

Forensic Toxicology

• Forensic toxicology is the use of toxicology and other disciplines to aid in medical investigation of death, poisoning, and drug use.

Forensic Serology

• Determination of the type and characteristics of blood, blood testing, bloodstain examination, and preparation of testimony or presentations at trial

• also analyzes semen, saliva, other body fluids and may or may not be involved with DNA typing

Forensic Odontology

• Forensic dentistry or forensic odontology is the proper handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence

• Bite-mark analysis• Identification of

human remains using dental records

Forensic Anthropology/Archaeology

• Forensic Archaeology - deals with the recovery of scattered or buried remains

• Forensic Anthropology – the application of the theory and methods of anthropology to forensic problems– The study of the human

biological function

Forensic Taphonomy

• Minor field of Forensic Anthropology/Archaeology

• This includes all the events that happen to an organism following death, its burial, and removal from the ground.

• Different examples of these processes include transport, surface weathering, and movement of elements by animals.

Forensic Entomology

• Forensic Entomology is the use of the insects, and their arthropod relatives that inhabit decomposing remains to aid legal investigations.

Forensic Document Examination

• Also known as Questioned Documents (QD)

• Answer questions about a disputed document using a variety of scientific processes and methods

• Deals with forgery, handwriting analysis, ink analysis, counterfeiting, photocopier examinations, paper and watermark examinations

Forensic Psychology/Psychiatry

• Fields in which scientific and clinical expertise of Psychology/Psychiatry is applied to legal issues

• Criminal Forensic Evaluations: (competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility and the ability to form criminal intent)

• Criminal Personality Profiling / crime scene assessment to determine modus operandi

Forensic Engineering

• Forensic engineering is the investigation of materials, products, structures or components that fail or do not operate/function as intended, causing personal injury for example.

• Structural failures• Basic fire and explosion

investigation• Vehicular Accident

Reconstruction

Forensic Technology

• Fast growing field• Computer-based,

internet crimes• Database

management

Wildlife Forensics

• One of the newest areas• Victim is an animal• Poaching violations, the

Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the United National Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITIES) are some of the factors which helped create this new field.