Forensic Science

The Search For Hidden Truths

“In school, every period ends with a bell. Every sentence ends with a period. Every crime ends with a sentence.”

---- Stephen Wright, comedian

Forensic ScienceForensic ScienceThe study and application of science to mattersof law

Includes the business of providing timely, accurate, and thorough information to all levels of decision makers in our criminal justice system

The word forensic is derived from the Latin forensis meaning forum, a public place where, in Roman times, senators and others debated, performed, and held judicial proceedings.

Meet Inspector Meet Inspector Beaudeaux…Beaudeaux…

He would like to introduce He would like to introduce you to the world of forensic you to the world of forensic

science.science.

Follow me . . .Follow me . . .

So, what’s a So, what’s a forensic scientist?forensic scientist?

A forensic scientist studies and A forensic scientist studies and analyzes physical evidence used in analyzes physical evidence used in

criminal court cases.criminal court cases.

Many accused criminals are found Many accused criminals are found either innocent or guilty based on either innocent or guilty based on

the strength of evidence that a the strength of evidence that a forensic scientist provides.forensic scientist provides.

Forensic Scientists can specialize in Forensic Scientists can specialize in a variety of different areas:a variety of different areas:

•Studying blood for presence of Studying blood for presence of drugs, alcohol, or toxinsdrugs, alcohol, or toxins

•Performing DNA analysis on hair Performing DNA analysis on hair & body fluids& body fluids

•Examining documents to determine Examining documents to determine if forgery occurredif forgery occurred

•Matching fingerprintsMatching fingerprints

•Identifying type of firearm or tool Identifying type of firearm or tool used in a crimeused in a crime

•Determining results of polygraph Determining results of polygraph teststests

What personal What personal attributes are attributes are desirable in a desirable in a good forensic good forensic

scientist?scientist?

•Detail-oriented & organizedDetail-oriented & organized (it may be that (it may be that oneone small detail that leads to the small detail that leads to the accused being found either innocent or guilty)accused being found either innocent or guilty)

•Patient & thoroughPatient & thorough (must perform variety of time-consuming / (must perform variety of time-consuming / comprehensive tests on evidence)comprehensive tests on evidence)

•Proficient in science & mathProficient in science & math (these concepts are the backbone of forensic (these concepts are the backbone of forensic science)science)

•Skilled at research & writingSkilled at research & writing(need to prepare reports based on findings)(need to prepare reports based on findings)

•Excellent communicatorExcellent communicator(explain & are cross-examined about findings)(explain & are cross-examined about findings)

•Curious and creative-mindedCurious and creative-minded

(looking at situation in different ways is (looking at situation in different ways is necessary for solving crimes)necessary for solving crimes)

The inspector’s The inspector’s partner wants you to partner wants you to know some the job know some the job

advantages of advantages of forensic scientists.forensic scientists.

•You have a high level of responsibilityYou have a high level of responsibility

•Every case is uniqueEvery case is unique

•You get to implement & validate new You get to implement & validate new techniquestechniques

•You’re not confined to an office spaceYou’re not confined to an office space

There are also some There are also some disadvantages.disadvantages.

•Some cases are gruesome and Some cases are gruesome and distressingdistressing

•Number of cases varies, so its Number of cases varies, so its difficult to control work loaddifficult to control work load

•You have to go to court & spend time You have to go to court & spend time waiting to testifywaiting to testify

•Journalists may call at your homeJournalists may call at your home