Introduction
Forensic evidence offers a multidisciplinary concept for examining crime scenes as well as gathering data to be used as evidence to institute litigation against lawbreakers. Forensic science techniques are effective in identifying and collecting data clusters on trace, blood, and other biological samples for evidence during criminal investigations. Among the clues that can be gleaned from the detailed observation, examination, and analysis are evidence of physical presence, chemical traces, and biological traces.
Biological Traces
For greater convenience, Oorschot, Ballantyne, and Mitchell (2010) note that the collection of biological traces takes place both from the crime scene and from the surviving suspects and victims (Lichanska, 2016). The samples in this category may include blood, semen, skin, and hair to help in the processing of DNA test scores. Under the forensic study, DNA is effective in identifying people. For instance, unrecognized victims with badly damaged remains can be isolated under DNA tests and individuals can be identified positively from their matching family samples.
Chemical Traces
Chemical analysis is diverse across forensic disciplines. Investigators may analyze drugs, debris, and other tissue samples. According to Lichanska (2016), analysts may also pursue tests for radioactive substances for nuclear, toxins, and other biological stuff.
Physical Evidence
Certain forensic investigations aim at validating the physical presence of the lawbreaker. As Lichanska (2016) observes, the scrutiny of physical evidence takes place through making imprints on plaster, mapping of marks, and lifting fingerprints from objects such as walls, floors, windows, cars, furniture, clothes, and the victims. Fingerprints scanning may validate the physical presence of suspects at the scene of the crime. Besides, investigators may examine the documentation found at a crime scene for forensic analysis. Such an investigation may accurately establish and identify the physical presence of suspects at the scene of the crime.
Procedures that must be followed for Accuracy
For greater relevance, forensic investigators must follow established procedures to enhance the accuracy of their examination (Wells, 2016). To guarantee a thorough process, the following steps are necessary.
- Mapping out the Scene: Establishing the dimensions of the scene and the potential safety as well as health hazards. Mapping out a sizable area, which is likely to contain the much-pursued evidence relevant to the data needed.
- Establishing Security: Forensic science establishes that the persons entering or exiting the scene of crime have the potentiality of adding or subtracting data to the scene. Controlling access to the area is therefore paramount by cordoning off the area. Journalists, onlookers, and respondents must, therefore, be kept at bay.
- Developing a Theory: Before conducting an investigation, researchers must plan, communicate effectively, and coordinate on the approaches of collecting data. There must be an outline on how to gather data from witnesses and the interested parties.
- Conducting a Primary Survey: Investigators must establish an initial survey of the crime scene to prioritize on evidence collection formula. The lead investigator must be tasked with the duty of identifying potentially valuable evidence.
- Documentation and Scene Processing: The investigating teams may front a thorough, coordinated effort to collect all the probative data. This involves documenting data on digital gadgets such as video cameras and 3D scanners.
- Conducting Secondary Survey: Secondary survey ensures that the scene of the crime has been searched thoroughly. This often necessitates a quality control survey.
- Evidence Recording and Preserving: To ascertain that all the data is accounted for, investigators must create an inventory log. For example, where a gun has been used, the firearm’s serial number must match that of the suspected one.
How a Crime Scene Investigator Would Defend Their Research in Court Of Law
An expert forensic investigator must convince the jury that his or her research is truthful and sound (Wells, 2016). Such an individual must establish that he or she is highly knowledgeable, conscious, organized, composed, and ethical in his or her work.
- Knowledgeable: An investigator must be up to date with a strong command of professionalism relevant to the jurisdictional system.
- Organized: Individuals presenting evidence for litigation in a court of law must show cause that they great levels of the organization and present the vital pieces of evidence as ordered by a court of law.
- Consciousness: An investigator must always be mindful and respond to the concerns raised by the jury amicably. His or her capacity to respond tactfully and intelligently to the concerns raised by the jury is necessary and is subject to no bargain.
- Composed: An investigator must not appear confrontational or easily irritated during questioning and cross-examination.
- Ethical: the individuals defending their evidence before the jury must put professionalism above everything else and work within the stipulated ethical codes that guide forensic research work.
Conclusion
A crime scene analysis requires the capacity of the investigator to obtain and collect samples, which are then processed under a forensic laboratory to validate evidence. Samples from the crime scene are usually very sensitive and demand greater care for accuracy in their analysis. At most, forensic investigators must have the capacity to attest to ethics and professionalism to validate their findings in a court of law.
References
Lichanska, A. (2016). Forensic science. Web.
Oorschot, R., Ballantyne, K., & Mitchell, J. (2010). Forensic trace DNA: A review. Investigative Genetics, 1(14), 1-7.
Wells, D. (2016). Testifying in court as a forensic expert. Web.