SPECIALIZED CRIME INVESTIGATION WITH LEGAL MEDICINE

MODULE 3- FORENSIC SCIENCE, ITS ROLE IN THE CRIME SOLUTION

Introduction

Learning Outcomes:

After the lesson and interactive discussions, the students will be able to:
1. Understand the importance of Forensic Science in the crime solution
2. Draw a conclusion why is Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test is significant in crime
solution; and
3. Identify what are the specimens for DNA test.

The word forensic comes from the Latin "forensis": public, to the forum
discussion. Word forum or public A relevant, modern definition of forensic is: relating to,
used in, or suitable to a court of law Webster law (Merriam Dictionary, www. merriam-
[Link]). Any science used for the purposes of the law is a forensic science. The
forensic sciences are used around the wore, resolve civil disputes, to justly enforce
criminal laws and government regulations.

Forensic scientists may be involved anytime an objective, scientific analysis is

needed to find the truth and to seek justice in a legal proceeding. Early on, Forensic
science became identified with law enforcement and the prosecution of criminal cases -
an image enhanced by books, television, and movies. This is misleading because
forensic science is objective, unbiased, and applies equally to either side of any criminal,
civil, or other legal matter. Forensic investigations involve the discovery and
characterization of evidence that can be used to reconstruct a chronology of events
associated with the commission of a crime or other matters being adjudicated. As they
become available, increasingly sophisticated analytical tools and methods are being
employed to detect and discriminate evidence.

The word forensic, as derived from Latin word forum. The early Romans used
forum for variety purposes like market, public discussion, business and commercial
transactions. These forums played their role of criticism, scrutiny and shaped civil law.

It includes the evidence brought in the court of law to prosecute a suspect of

crime. Forensic science helps in solving crime by involving witnesses, victims and the
experts in the court of law, Forensic science helps to integrate criminal investigators and
scientists to objectively analyze found on analyze the evidence the crime scene scope
application. It is known several identities like Forensics, Forensic medical jurisprudence,
besides its other disciplinary like Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Archeology, Forensic
Psychology, Criminalistics and Forensic Hypnosis. The Forensic science engages
pathologist, biologists, physicists, chemists and medical officers to solve queries of
crime. Forensic science can effectively help found missing persons, establishing their
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 SPECIALIZED CRIME INVESTIGATION WITH LEGAL MEDICINE

true identities, relate and prosecute testimony who victimized whom through production
of scientific evidence. Also provide meaningful leads in investigation.
The suspect's identity, victim's circumstances (like rape) could be related by
carefully examining the data. The fingerprints, footwear impressions and tool marks
could be collected technically. The casting kit and other related forensic science tools
are used. The trace evidence may also provide clues to further lead towards the
suspect and victim identification. There are biological fluids (body fluids) which include
blood, semen, urine, vaginal secretions, saliva, feces and vomit).

They provide the DNA. They are collected in sterile container for laboratory
analysis through a scalpel particle of matter and tiny fibers left at the crime scene. It
must be recognized, documented, packaged and preserved. Human hair is usually the
trace evidence.

Forensic science applies technical skills to detect, identify and prosecute

offenders. The application and awareness of forensic science is growing in Law
Enforcement Agencies all over the world.

Forensic Archeology is the field dealing with buried human and animal remains and
artifacts.

Anthropology study of humans and their cultures.

Forensic anthropology is the medicolegal study of human especially human osteology.

The DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid long spiral ladder. The DNA contains four nucleotides
which are:
1. Thymine(T)
2. Adenine (A)
3. Cytosine (C)
4. Guanine (G)

The all-human beings have unique DNA which provides a unique pattern helpful
to relate to exact identity of the person (Adams, Julian 1990).

The DNA matching proves someone's innocence or guilt. The DNA evidence is
highly useful in rape incidents, fire-related accidents/ disasters, paternity identity cases,
and establishing identities of missing persons or unidentified dead bodies. This could be
very helpful in criminal investigation process if the data base are developed and
properly utilized.
The forensic experts inspect type of firearms used, their casings and bullets
connecting them to crime scene and suspect and victim of the crime. The documents,

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 SPECIALIZED CRIME INVESTIGATION WITH LEGAL MEDICINE

signatures, letters, diaries and books are examined by forensic team for handwriting
matches to suspect and victim.
The Y-Chromosome is typically used in exploring the true contribution of
biological evidence. The controversy on father, and involvement in rape could be
successfully solved in this way. The DNA matching focuses on base pair repletion
patterns.
The crime scene contains the proof who has committed the crime. The
procedures are being followed by the criminal investigator like reconstruction of the
crime scene, identity of the suspect and valuable evidence which is presented before
the Court
The Physical evidence confirms the commission of the crime, connecting the
crime to the suspect and proving who was victimized).

The forensic science techniques help minimize the suspect number.

The matching of the information clues found on the crime scene and witness and
victim interviews narrows down criminal suspects and effectively assists detecting the
crime.
The techniques like psychological profiling, polygraph testing and hand-writing
expertise assist investigators for identifying true suspects in crime. This ensures
predominance of justice over crime., injustice as the victim is quickly provided justice
and no one is unduly/wrongly punished for the crime he/ she has not committed.
The forensic science explains the identity (who) of the suspect who committed
the crime. The evidence clearly indicates the type (what) of the crime committed. The
circumstances speak out about the time (when) of the incident. The forensic evidence
proves the location of the offense (where/crime scene). The forensic investigation finds
out the modus operandi (how) of the offender.
It establishes the motive behind the crime. The forensic investigators reconstruct
identity of the offender and the victim. There can be primary, Secondary and tertiary
crime scenes depending on the incident.
The technological advances, the forensic techniques and forensic laboratories
are very significant factors/ actors in solving crimes.
The applied role of areas of Natural and Physical sciences is defined as forensic
science. The forensic Science depicts a clear picture of the type of the crime, motive
underlying it and the person responsible for it.
Forensic Science its scope includes within the disciplines like Criminology,
Criminal Justice, Chemistry, Anthropology, Biology, Psychology, Entomology,
Engineering, Medicine (Pathology and and Geology as crime-solving Odontology),
Physics and geology as crime-solving sciences.
Criminal Investigation is defined as "a lawful search for people and things useful
in reconstructing and the mental state an illegal act or omission accompanying it. The
Criminalistics is the meeting point between criminal investigation and forensic science.

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The criminalists engage scientific methods to develop, examine, record and

interpret the physical evidence found on the location of crime evidence include physical
evidence, biological evidence, trace evidence, impression evidence, documents, arson
& explosive evidence, and drug and toxicological evidence.
The investigator primarily determines whether or not crime has been committed.
The crime scene and evidence are protected. Besides, to locate victim and apprehend
the offender are also important tasks. The information is sought using it for testifying in
court. Thus, the suspect is prosecuted in court.
The initial investigation can categorize crime committed as organized and
disorganized. The organized crime is well-planned that leaves little or no evidence. The
disorganized crime is ill-panned.
The crime scene documented, using video, photography, recording and
sketching techniques by investigators.
Forensic science is a versatile and enormously, powerful tool in the investigation
of a crime. Forensic tools and techniques must be aided by the knowledge, experience,
intuitive detectives, police and other experts' role (Platt, 2003). Forensic science
engages all evidences collected on the crime scene to solve query of the crime. The
processes are procedures are carefully. The evidences are vital linkages providing
pointers towards suspects and victims of the crimes. The search patterns help in
collecting the physical and other evidences. The DNA experts recover fingerprints
through use of technical tools and kits. The shoeprints and tyre tracks provide hints
towards criminal identity, type of vehicle, height and gait of the criminal. Forensic
science helps investigator in investigating homicide, rapes and accident-related
incidents. Besides, unidentified bodies, missing persons and fraud and forgery cases
are also solved.

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