Introduction
Criminology is a diverse field that seeks to apply theoretical concepts and scientific approaches to investigating the causes of crime and offering solutions. Therefore, it features several interesting disciplines that enable professionals to specialize and advance in specific areas. Even so, fingerprint analysis and seized drugs analysis are the topics that intrigued me the most due to their complexity and use of high-end technological approaches to solve crime.
Fingerprints Analysis
Fingerprint analysis is a crime investigation technique that has been perfected over the past century. Analyzing fingerprints involves assessing the quality and quantity of information obtained from fingerprint samples to identify similarities. Generally, fingerprint analysts compare prints found on crime scenes, also known as latent prints, to the fingerprints of known individuals in government records (Daluz, 2018). Any individual wishing to become a fingerprint analyst should complete a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, applied science, or criminal justice field, and get certification, and licensure from a recognized institution. The professional duties of a fingerprint analyst include labeling and preserving samples, writing reports, and testifying as witnesses after obtaining relevant information.
Fingerprint identification is critical to law enforcement initiatives as it can help root out hard criminals and individuals involved in repeated felonies. For example, results from a print analysis can link a particular individual to different crime scenes and confirm their participation in the crime (Daluz, 2018). Additionally, fingerprint analysis can aid investigators to refer to previous convictions, arrests, criminal records, and patterns of criminal behavior. Therefore, they are useful in homicide cases or cases involving rape or violence due to their high prevalence. Moreover, fingerprints are unique in every individual, meaning that their use limits the margins of error.
Seized Drug Analysis
Seized drugs refer to all mind and body function-altering substances law enforcement officials confiscated from suspected criminals or the general public. Once collected, these drugs are stored in secure areas or transported to laboratories for testing. Therefore, seized drugs analysis refers to the comprehensive evaluation of a drug’s physical and chemical properties to facilitate classification (Fabresse et al., 2021). Forensic drug chemists are responsible for collecting, measuring, analyzing, and providing data regarding the components of particular drug samples. However, an individual should satisfy the requirements of a bachelor’s degree and preferably a tertiary course in forensic science, natural sciences, or other fields related to drug testing.
Over the years, the government has made significant advancements in abolishing illicit drugs in communities. However, individuals are becoming addicted to over-the-counter drugs like opioids and painkillers. Therefore, forensic drug analysis serves a critical role in determining whether cases against some big pharmaceuticals are inadmissible in court (Fabresse et al., 2021). Some companies take advantage of individuals’ ignorance to design drugs that have far-reaching consequences on individuals’ health and well-being after prolonged use. Ultimately, results obtained from seized drugs analysis can guide public health officials on the best medications to use and how to limit addition to particular substances.
Conclusion
Criminologists adopt several other techniques to find solutions to crime and criminal activities. However, fingerprint analysis and seized drugs analysis are widely adopted compared to other techniques due to several cases that necessitate their use. Nevertheless, adopting different techniques simultaneously in cases can help law enforcement officers to approach cases from various perspectives and obtain more accurate results. Therefore, criminologists should be informed of all available solutions to make their work easier.
References
Daluz, H. M. (2018). Fundamentals of fingerprint analysis. CRC Press.
Fabresse, N., Gheddar, L., Kintz, P., Knapp, A., Larabi, I. A., & Alvarez, J. C. (2021). Analysis of pharmaceutical products and dietary supplements seized from the black market among bodybuilders. Forensic Science International, 322, 110771. Web.