Forensic science is the investigative application of a wide range of sciences in legal proceedings, both criminal and civil. Forensics, as it is commonly shortened to, supports the production of evidence in courts of Law, providing expert witness testimony on various scientific subjects. Forensics can cover everything from the mental state of a defendant during a crime, to the study of the insect life surrounding a victims remains. Forensic scientists therefore carry a huge burden of responsibility, as their testimony holds great weight in legal proceedings. Forensic scientists are highly trained individuals, often holding degrees in both their scientific field of interest and Law. This prolonged education is necessary, as mistakes by forensic scientists could be responsible for miscarriages of justice. Forensic science has become a vital tool for law-enforcement agencies.
Forensic Psychiatry
Forensic psychiatry is the field of psychiatry involving its applications in legal proceedings. A forensic psychiatrist gives evidence in a court of law to aid it in the decision making process. They may testify as to the mental competency of a defendant, or whether a defense should be based on mental issues or disabilities. A forensic psychiatrist may also make recommendations regarding the sentencing of a convicted criminal.
Overview of Forensic Psychiatry: A guide to the forensic psychiatry and its areas of influence in legal proceedings.
Forensic Psychiatry Resources: A collection of links to information and articles on forensic psychiatry.
Psychiatry and the Law: A resource for information on forensic psychiatry on the Web.
Criminal Profiling
Criminal profiling is an investigative method used by law-enforcement agencies to aid the capture of unknown felons. A criminal profiler examines the nature and location of offenses, and deduces likely characteristics of a suspect based on the evidence of the crime itself, and the previous examples of similar crimes. The description of the possible felon drawn up by the criminal profiler is then used by law-enforcement agencies to help narrow their search for suspects.
An Analysis of Criminal Profiling: An article covering the basics of criminal profiling and its applications.
Advanced Criminal Investigative Analysis: A comprehensive resource examining modern criminal analysis techniques.
Criminal Profiling Research: The home of the Swiss Criminal Profiling Research association, with a wide array of information on the subject.
Introduction to Behavioural Evidence Analysis: An article looking at the controversial issues surrounding criminal profiling.
Medical Examiner
A medical examiner is a government official with medical training whose jurisdiction is to investigate any deaths or injuries that happen under suspicious circumstances. A medical examiner will also perform autopsies on individuals who died a suspicious death, and may initiate legal inquests into that death. A medical examiner will typically be qualified in medicine and law, as well as having additional forensic qualifications.
Advice about Forensic Careers: An overview of various career paths in forensics, including a section on what is required to be a medical examiner.
How Medical Examiners Explain Suspicious Deaths: An article examining the role of the medical examiner in criminal investigations.
Medical Examiner FAQ: An explanation of the role of the medical examiner from the Department of Pathology at the University of Florida.
Medical Examiners and Forensic Biology: A collection of articles on medical examiners and their jurisdiction and investigative role.
Computational Forensics
Computational forensics involves the application of computer-based techniques to forensic investigations. This can involve the use of computer models and simulations, or applying computer mathematical techniques to quantify evidence and probabilities. Computational forensics is particularly useful in the study and recognition of criminal and evidential patterns.
Forensic Science Resources on the Web: A collection of links involving forensic science, including a section on computational forensic applications.
Computational Forensic Resources: A number of articles and useful links for those interested in the field of computational forensics.
Forensics Portal: A website with information on computational forensics, and its uses in forensic chemistry.
Forensic Anthropology
Forensic anthropology involves applying the scientific study of physical anthropology and the human skeleton to legal proceedings. It is usually applied in criminal investigations where the remains of a victim have reached an advanced state of decay, leading to difficulties in identification. Forensic anthropologists assist law-enforcement agencies in identifying such victims and collecting related crime-scene evidence.
Overview of Forensic Anthropology: Minnesota State University provides a comprehensive look at the field.
The Texas State Forensic Anthropology Center: Home of Texas State University's forensic anthropology programs, with information for those interested in pursuing study in the area.
Written in Bone: An interactive presentation on forensic anthropology, using the study of remains from early colonists in Virginia and Maryland.
Forensic Anthropology FAQ: Information on the subject and career paths and education in the field.
Forensic DNA analysis
Forensic DNA analysis employs DNA profiling to aid in the identification of victim's remains and criminals. Using DNA profiling, forensic scientists can produce evidence for the prosecution or exclude suspects in an investigation. Working with forensic anthropologists, forensic DNA scientists can help to identify the bodies of unknown victims through DNA matches to relatives or possessions.
History of Forensic DNA Analysis: An overview of the field and its application in criminal investigations.
DNA Forensics: An FAQ on forensic usage of DNA from the Human Genome Project.
Can DNA Demand a Verdict?: An article looking at DNA analysis and its record in the U.S. Legal system.
Forensic DNA Resources: A collection of links to information on forensic DNA analysis on the Web.
Firearms Identification/Ballistics
Firearm Identification, commonly referred to as ballistics, is the scientific study of firearms and their use in crimes. Ballistics experts can help to identify weapons used, the trajectories of bullets and the resulting wounds and the probable locations of shooters. This evidence can then be used to match a weapon to a probable suspect, or recreate the circumstances of a particular crime.
Firearms Identification and Ballistics: An overview of the field and its uses in criminal investigations.
Forensic Firearm Identification: A collection of articles by a leading expert in the ballistics field.
The Use of Ballistics Evidence: An online book examining the area of ballistics and its forensic applications.
Forensic Entomology
Forensic entomology is the criminal investigative application of the scientific study of insects and other arthropods. It can aid forensic anthropologists and DNA analysts in establishing the identification of remains. Forensic entomologists can also provide information on the possible location and time of crimes, as well as the detection of poisons, drugs and physical neglect and abuse.
Forensics and Forensic Entomology: An article on forensic entomology education and training.
Forensic Entomology Guide: An examination of some of the insect species vital to forensic entomology.
Forensic Entomology Resources: A collection of links to information and articles on the subject.
