NCJ Number
44052
Date Published
1977
Length
20 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW IS PRESENTED OF THE FORENSIC SCIENTIST'S ROLE AND OF THE MAJOR CLASSIFICATIONS OF EVIDENCE WITH WHICH THE FORENSIC SCIENTIST DEALS.
Abstract
CRIMINALISTICS, OR FORENSIC SCIENCE, IS THAT PART OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WHICH USES THE NATURAL SCIENCES TO DETECT AND SOLVE CRIMES AND OTHERWISE AID THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. IN MOST CASES, THE OFFICER WHO COLLECTS EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE OF A CRIME WILL NOT BE THE PERSON WHO ACTUALLY EXAMINES THE EVIDENCE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT COMMUNICATION BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE COLLECTING OFFICER OR OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE CASE AND THE EXAMINER. GENERALLY THE PERSON WHO EXAMINES THE EVIDENCE IS THE LAST PERSON IN THE CHAIN OF POSSESSION BEFORE THE EVIDENCE GOES TO COURT. THE EXAMINER MUST MAKE CERTAIN THAT THAT CHAIN REMAINS INTACT AND THAT THE INTEGRITY OF THE EVIDENCE IS PRESERVED. DURING THE EXAMINATION AND TESTING OF EVIDENCE, THE CRIMINALIST MUST KEEP IN MIND THAT HE MAY BE REQUIRED TO PRESENT EXPERT TESTIMONY IN COURT. CATEGORIES OF EVIDENCE WITH WHICH THE CRIMINALIST WORKS INCLUDE IMPRINTS AND IMPRESSIONS, FIREARMS AND OTHER WEAPONS, BLOOD AND OTHER BODY FLUIDS, AND GLASS. EXAMPLES OF EVIDENCE FALLING WITHIN EACH CATEGORY ARE DESCRIBED, MISCONCEPTIONS CONCERNING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION OBTAINABLE FROM IT ARE DISCUSSED, AND POSSIBILITIES FOR IMPROVING FORENSIC TECHNIQUES ARE CONSIDERED. A LIST OF SUGGESTED READINGS AND A CHAPTER TEST ARE INCLUDED.