FORENSIC SCIENCE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

• NCJ Number: 65181
• Journal: Journal of the Forensic Science Society Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1979) Pages: 117-124
• Author(s): S S KIND
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Forensic Science Soc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: LECTURE DELIVERED AT THE BUNDESKRIMINALAMT, WIESBADEN, WEST GERMANY, DURING THE SYMPOSIUM 'MATERIAL EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS', TUESDAY 24 OCTOBER 1978

Annotation

AN OVERVIEW OF THE STATE OF FORENSIC SCIENCE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DESCRIBES TYPES OF FORENSIC ASSISTANCE, MODERN FORENSIC TECHNIQUES, AND THE USE OF COMPUTERS AND QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAMS.

Abstract

THE THREE TYPES OF EVIDENCE PROVIDED BY THE FORENSIC SCIENTIST ARE INCEPTIVE EVIDENCE, CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE AND INDICATIVE EVIDENCE. INCEPTIVE EVIDENCE SUPPLIED BY THE SCIENTIST TO THE INVESTIGATING POLICE OFFICER ENABLES HIM TO DECIDE WHETHER A CRIME HAS BEEN OR IS ABOUT TO BE COMMITTED. CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE ASSISTS IN CONFIRMING THAT A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED, AND INDICATIVE EVIDENCE TENDS TO ELIMINATE OR INCRIMINATE INDIVIDUALS EVEN IN THE ABSENCE OF INDEPENDENT EVIDENCE. THE FORENSIC SCIENTIST, WHO IS VIEWED AS A MEMBER OF THE CRIME INVESTIGATION TEAM, EMPHASIZES RESEARCH IN THE AREAS OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL, TOPICS DEALING WITH CONTACT EVIDENCE OR TRANSFERRED EVIDENCE, AND METHODS FOR DEALING WITH THE INTERPRETATION OF TRACES OF EVIDENCE WHEN THEY OCCUR. SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN SUCH AREAS AS DRUG DETECTION AND DETERMINATION OF BLOOD STAIN GROUPS, ALTHOUGH THE CHARACTERIZATION OF HUMAN HEAD HAIR REMAINS A PERENNIAL PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, COURTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM HAVE QUESTIONED THE VALUE OF MICROSCOPIC AMOUNTS OF FORENSIC EVIDENCE. HOWEVER, DATA COLLECTIONS MUST BE AVAILABLE SO THAT ANALYSIS OF THE FORENSIC EVIDENCE CAN BE CONDUCTED. THE QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM'S CRIME LABORATORIES CONSISTS OF BOTH DECLARED AND UNDECLARED TRIALS IN WHICH SCIENTISTS ARE TESTED ON THE VALUE PLACED ON CERTAIN TYPES OF EVIDENCE. THE APPLICATION OF COMPUTERS TO FORENSIC SCIENCE HAS RESULTED IN THE STORING, PROCESSING AND, INTERPRETATION OF FORENSIC DATA BY MEANS OF COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION SYSTEMS. ALTHOUGH THE FUTURE WILL SEE AN INCREASE IN FORENSIC ACTIVITIES, PREVENTIVE SECURITY MEASURES MUST BE TAKEN. THE FORENSIC SCIENTIST MUST BE CONCERNED WITH THE NEEDS OF INVESTIGATIVE PERSONNEL AND NOT BECOME IMMERSED SOLELY IN SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUE. (DEG)