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Forensic Science

Criminal cases are very dependent upon evidence to prove or disprove the facts of the case. The analysis of evidence requires a wide breadth of scientific knowledge and the latest scientific techniques as well as proper evidence procedures.

1,792 Questions

How much does a Forensic Fingerprint Examiner make a year?

The salary of a Forensic Fingerprint Examiner can vary depending on location, experience, and employer. On average, they can earn between $40,000 to $100,000 per year. Senior examiners with more experience and advanced certifications can earn higher salaries.

Why role of forensic science in criminal investigation is not fully understood in people?

because people do not think minute molecules or cells can tell a story.its hard to believe that blood can speak to people much as soil and other micro-bacteria can tell how someone was killed...some believe science can not explain everything.

When was fingerprints first used to solve crimes?

Fingerprints were first used to solve crimes in 1892, when they were instrumental in the conviction of a burglar in Argentina. This case marked the beginning of the widespread use of fingerprints as a forensic tool in criminal investigations.

What is protocol for securing a crime scene?

Securing a crime scene involves restricting access to only authorized personnel, documenting who enters and exits the scene, preserving evidence by not tampering with it, and maintaining the scene until law enforcement completes their investigation. It's crucial to establish a perimeter, protect evidence from contamination or destruction, and follow proper chain of custody procedures.

How do fingerprints help solve crimes?

Because each person has a unique set of fingerprints, investigators can determine if a certain person was in a certain place, or touched a certain object, or drove a certain vehicle.

There is always some uncertainty in its use as evidence because a print is seldom a complete and perfect one, and because you usually cannot determine exactly when a print was made. It is extremely difficult but not impossible to fake a print, or to move one from one object to another, or to place an object at a crime scene that already has a person's fingerprint on it.

But it can be powerful circumstantial evidence, such as when prints are found on a gun or other weapon, or in a victim's blood.

How is forensic anthropology different from forensic biology?

Forensic Anthropology is the study of human skeletal remains, and the decomposing of them. A lot of times they have to put the skeleton together to see how the person was built or what may have happened when they lived and died. They also determine what the person may have looked like in real life or how tall they were. You do use biology as an Forensic Anthropologist but your main focus is on the human anatomy. A Forensic Biologist is more concerned with cell structure and disease. They are looking for what could have happened in the cells that killed that person like an unknown disease or a undetected poison. But they are also in charge of looking at the structures of say a plant they found at the crime scene that they have to determine it's cell structure to figure out were it grows to find the possible primary crime scene.

How do fingerprints solve crimes?

When you touch something you leave your fingerprints on it, and everyone's fingerprints are unique. Therefore, if a particular person's fingerprints are found on an object involved in a crime, then that suggests the person those prints belong to was involved.

How can blood spatter evidence be used long after a crime?

Blood spatter evidence can be analyzed to determine the direction, angle, and velocity of blood at the time of impact, which can help recreate the events of a crime. This information can be crucial in corroborating or refuting witness statements and suspect testimonies, even long after a crime has occurred. Advanced forensic techniques and technology continue to improve the analysis of blood spatter evidence, making it a valuable tool in solving cold cases.

What area of forensic investigation are Karl Landsteiner and Dr Leone Lattes associated?

Karl Landsteiner is known for his work in blood grouping, which laid the foundation for modern blood typing and transfusion medicine. Dr. Leone Lattes is known for his contribution to forensic science through the development of a method to determine blood type from dried bloodstains, known as the ABO blood group system.

Could you get a forensic job with a criminal background?

Having a criminal background may make it challenging to secure a job in forensics, as many positions require a clean record due to the sensitive nature of the work. However, each case is unique and some employers may consider other factors such as the type of offense, rehabilitation efforts, and time elapsed since the incident. It is best to be honest about your background during the hiring process.

What is the 22 step processing methodology for crime scene investigations?

There is no widely recognized 22-step processing methodology for crime scene investigations. Crime scene processing techniques can vary depending on the agency or organization conducting the investigation. However, common steps in crime scene processing typically involve securing the area, documenting the scene, collecting and preserving evidence, and analyzing and interpreting the findings.

What should a rough sketch for a crime scene include?

A rough sketch for a crime scene should include the layout of the scene showing the position of key elements like evidence, bodies, and relevant objects. It should also note measurements, distances, and any other relevant details that can help investigators analyze and reconstruct the scene accurately. Additionally, it should include labels and a key for easier understanding.

Where might crime scene evidence be analyzed?

Crime scene evidence can be analyzed in forensic laboratories, which are specialized facilities equipped with tools and techniques to examine and process a wide range of evidence such as DNA, fingerprints, trace evidence, and documents from crime scenes. These laboratories are staffed with forensic scientists who are trained to analyze evidence and provide expert testimony in court.

How can investigators use hair evidence to help solve a crime?

Investigators can analyze hair evidence found at a crime scene to determine the hair's root structure, color, length, and possible DNA content. This information can help link a suspect to the crime scene, identify potential suspects, or exclude innocent individuals from suspicion. Hair evidence can provide valuable insights into the timeline of events, possible physical attributes of the perpetrator, and help build a timeline of the crime.

Can the persons letter be traced by fingerprints?

Yes, fingerprints can be traced back to a person by matching them with a known fingerprint database. However, this process requires specific equipment and expertise to analyze the fingerprints accurately.

How valid evidence from a crime scene could be used in a criminal investigation?

Valid evidence from a crime scene, such as physical evidence like fingerprints or DNA, can be analyzed and compared to suspects or databases to help link individuals to the crime. This evidence can also be used to establish timelines, reconstruct events, and corroborate witness statements. Additionally, evidence can help detectives identify potential motives and build a strong case for prosecution in court.

Whats involved in a crime scene investigation?

"When it comes to a crime scene investigation, the events that take place are recognition of the crime scene, documentation of the scene, finding of the evidence, collection of the evidence, and finally analyzing all of the evidence collected."

How much does a forensic investigator make in Wisconsin?

The average salary for a forensic investigator in Wisconsin is around $60,000 to $70,000 per year. However, this can vary depending on the specific location, level of experience, and the employing organization.

What is the difference between a crime scene investigator and a detective?

A crime scene investigator is responsible for collecting and analyzing physical evidence at a crime scene, while a detective is responsible for investigating crimes, gathering information, interviewing witnesses and suspects, and solving cases. Essentially, a crime scene investigator focuses on the physical evidence aspect, while a detective handles the overall investigation.

How fingerprinting is used to solve crimes?

Fingerprinting is used to solve crimes by collecting and analyzing unique patterns of ridges and valleys on an individual's fingers or palms. These prints can be compared to a database of known prints to identify suspects or link individuals to a crime scene. Fingerprints are considered valuable evidence in court due to their uniqueness and reliability in identifying individuals.

What is the oldest biometric technique used succesfully in solving crimes?

Fingerprint analysis is the oldest biometric technique used successfully in solving crimes, dating back to the late 19th century. It has been a critical tool in law enforcement for identifying suspects and linking individuals to crime scenes due to the uniqueness and permanence of fingerprints.

Who was first criminologists to attempt to formally classify criminals for statistical comparison?

Cesare Lombroso (1835-1909) is recognized as one of the first criminologists to formally classify criminals for statistical comparison. In his published work, The Criminal Man (1876), Lombroso compared similarities of like offenders, such as race, age, gender, physical characteristics, education, and geographic region. Lombroso deduced that the motivations of criminal behavior could be better understood, and even predicted, by profiling the criminal (Turvey, p. 19). Lombroso's study consisted of 383 Italian prisoners. Through his research, he concluded there were three major types of criminal. The first he described were born criminals. These individuals could be identified by their physical characteristics. Lombroso described 18 physical characteristics indicative of a born criminal in his theory of anthropology, ranging from the physical characteristics of the facial structure to excessively long limbs. As the name suggests, they were, in Lombroso's opinion, predestined for criminal activity. The next, insane criminals, were offenders who suffered from a mental deficiency of physical ailment that caused them to commit crime. The final type Lombroso described was the criminaloid.Criminaloids were a large class of offenders without specific characteristics. They did not display the physical or mental deficiencies of the other two categories, but their mental state predisposed them to commit criminal behavior under extenuating circumstances. This classification of offender has been compared to psychopathic personality disorder (Turvey, 2012, p. 19).

Other body-type theorists have attempted to follow in the footsteps of Lombroso in an effort to classify criminals and potential criminals based on biological and environmental factors. In 1914, Gerald Fosbroke published his first work, Character Reading through Analysis of the Features (1938).Fosbroke argued that it is not biological factors and nature that shape the facial structure of an individual, but an individual's own maturation. Fosbroke believed that what kind of person one is would be reflected in the characteristics of their physical structures (Turvey, 2012, p. 20).

The era of criminal profiling was also impacted by a German criminologist named Dr. Erich Wulffen, who served as the ministerial director and head of the Department of Crime-Pardon and Parole-and of the Administration of Prisons of the Ministry of Justice of Saxony. Wulffen published a text called Woman as a Sexual Criminal(1935). Dr. Wulffen's work researched social, psychological, biological, and moral causes of crime involving the female criminal. Throughout the text, Dr. Wulffen maintains that most crime committed by women is related to sexuality and sexual abnormalities (Turvey, 2012, p. 21-22).

Another German criminologist, Ernst Kretschmer, evolved Lombroso's original theories of physical characteristic into a more predictive arena. Kretschmer believed that the type of crime and individual was subject to commit could be predicted by observing physical characteristics. However, Kretschmer never submitted any of his research for peer review, therefore his work is unfounded (Turvey, 2012, p. 21).

The works of these individuals, especially Lombroso, is yet to be abandon by the currently scientific community of forensics neurology, psychiatry, and psychiatry. Oftentimes, these early findings are still used as a last-ditch effort to gain insight into the criminal mind and understand why an individual is driven to commit crime.

Reference:

Turvey, B. E. (2012). Criminal Profiling: An Introduction to Behavioral Evidence Analysis (4th Edition). Burlington, MA: Academic Press.

How do detectives use forensics to solve crimes?

Detectives use forensics to solve crimes by collecting and analyzing physical evidence from crime scenes, such as fingerprints, DNA, fibers, and gunshot residue. This evidence can help connect suspects to the crime, establish timelines, and reconstruct events that occurred. Forensic analysis can also help generate leads, corroborate witness statements, and provide crucial information for building a case against a suspect.

Why do forensic scientists look for blood at a crime scene?

Forensic scientists look for blood at a crime scene because it can provide evidence of the identity of the individuals involved, the type of weapon used, the sequence of events, and the location of the incident. Blood spatter patterns can also help recreate the crime scene and establish what occurred during the crime.

A paleo-anthropologist does work similar to that of what other type of anthropologist?

A paleo-anthropologist is similar to a biological anthropologist as they both study human evolution, biological adaptations, and the behavior of early humans, but a paleo-anthropologist specifically focuses on the study of fossil evidence and ancient hominins to understand human origins and evolution.