Forensic Science : Introduction, and
Basic Principles
Definition of Forensic Science
It is the application of scientific methods or techniques to
law or legal system. Which is expected to helps in
answering the questions of interest to a legal system in
relation to either civil or criminal action.
Forensic science embraces all the branches of science, due
to versatile nature of evidences.
The word Forensic owes its origin to Latin word forēnsics
which means "of or before the forum" signifies
belonging to court of justice or is any aspect of science,
which relates it to the law.
Role of Forensic Scientist - The forensic scientist
play a role in
• Recognize the physical evidences
• Document the crime scene and evidences
• To collect of preserve and prepare inventory of
evidences,
• To analyze and to evaluate the physical evidences.
• Prepare report and present the fact in court.
Fig: forensic analysis of feather. The anatomy of a feather. (1) Vane; (2) Rachis; (3) Barb;
(4) Afterfeather; (5) Hollow shaft, calamus. (Public domain image at
[Link].)
By Feather analysis investigator can determine
Type of species
Type of crime,
geography
Expert witness :
A person whose has special knowledge or skill in a particular field
qualifies them to present their opinion about the facts of a case during legal
proceedings. Like:
Fingerprint expert,
Forensic Biology expert
Forensic Chemistry expert
Forensic Ballistic expert
Document expert
Necessity of Forensic Science in Criminal
Investigation
• Change in society
• Change in transportation facility
• Change in technology: digital technology, cyber crime,
biological weapons
Role of forensic science in criminal
investigation: Reconstruct the past events
Whether crime was committed or not?
Where crime was committed?
When crime was committed?
Who committed crime?
Who was the victim?
Scope of forensic science
Forensic Biology and Serology: The Forensic Biology
expert help in the identification of all the biological
materials (including plants and animals).
DNA fingerprinting : The DNA profiling has revolutionized
the forensic identification and the criminal justice system by
providing the courts a reliable means to identify the perpetrators
with a high degree of confidence.
Forensic chemistry
Forensic chemistry expert analyze the evidence related to
chemistry such as drugs, alcohol , explosives, adulteration in
petroleum product, dyes, pigments etc.
Forensic Toxicology
This branch of science deals with the determination of toxic
substances present in human tissues and organs. Most of the
work concerns the role of toxic agents that might have played a
role in causing or contributing to the death of a person.
Forensic anthropology is branch of science deals
with the personal identification based on bodily
measurements and particularly skeletal remains. Areas of
forensic anthropology include generation of data bases by
measuring different bodily structures and finding
relationship to identify sex, age, race, stature, and so
forth.
Forensic odontology: It is the application of dentistry to
human identification problems. Forensic odontologists are
dentists who specialize in the forensic aspects of their
field.
Forensic medicine :
(legal medicine; medical jurisprudence) is the application of
medicine and medical science to solve the legal problems.
Questioned documents examination: includes
comparisons and interpretation of handwriting, mechanically
produced material (typing or printing), and photocopied
material. Analysis of papers, inks, and other materials used to
produce documents may also be included.
Firearm and tool mark examination has to do with firearm
identification, comparison of markings present on bullets and
other projectiles, cartridge cases, and shell cases, especially for
the purpose of determining that a bullet may have been fired
from a particular weapon.
Fingerprint examination is concerned with the
classification of fingerprints and the organization of sets of prints
into usable files. Development of latent prints and comparisons
of known and unknown fingerprints are a part of the work as
well.
Computer and cyber crime investigation
Voice identification
Basic principles of forensic science
1. Locard’s Principle of Mutual Exchange
"EVERY CONTACT LEAVES A TRACE"
It is practically impossible for a criminal to commit the
crime, especially considering the intensity of a crime,
without leaving traces of his presence."
2. Law of individuality
'Every object, natural or man-made, has an individuality
which is not duplicated in any other object
OR
No two things in this universe are alike even when they are
manufactured in the same machine one after the other.
3. Law of Progressive Change
‘Everything changes with the passage of time’
This principle demands prompt action in criminal
investigations.
4. Principle of Comparison
‘Only the likes can be compared’
It emphasizes the necessity to provide like/similar type of
samples and specimens for comparison with the questioned
items.
5. Principle of Analysis
“The analysis can-be no better than the sample
analyzed”
This principle emphasizes on the necessity to collect
proper sample and properly packed for effective use of
experts.
6. Law of Probability
All identifications, be it a definite or an indefinite one, are
made - consciously or unconsciously, always on the basis of
law of probability.
If P represents probability, Ns the number of ways in which
the event can successfully occur (with equal facility) and Nf
the number of ways in which it can fail (with equal facility),
the probability of success is given by the formula:
P = Ns/ Ns + Nf
7. Fact do not lie but man can lie