"Forensic science, also known as criminalistics, is the application of science to criminal and civil laws."
Understanding the chemical and physical analysis techniques for different types of physical evidence such as fibers, hair, and glass.
Trace Evidence Analysis: This involves the detection, collection and analysis of microscopic evidence such as fibers, hairs, glass fragments, paint chips, soil particles, and other materials that can be transferred during contact between surfaces or objects.
Fire Debris Analysis: This involves the investigation of fires to determine the origin and cause through the analysis of debris from fire scenes.
Ballistics: This involves the study of the behavior of projectiles and firearms, including the trajectories of bullets, the marks left on bullets and cartridge cases after firing, and the identification of firearms used in crimes.
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: This involves the examination of bloodstains to determine the type of weapon used, the direction and angle of attack, and the position of the attacker and victim during the crime.
DNA Analysis: This involves the analysis of biological material such as blood, saliva or semen to identify suspects, link crimes, and exonerate innocent persons.
Forensic Entomology: This involves the study of insects and their behavior in relation to the decomposition of human remains, which can provide information about the time of death and other aspects of a crime.
Forensic Anthropology: This involves the analysis of skeletal remains to identify the sex, age, race, and other characteristics of the deceased, as well as to determine the cause and time of death.
Handwriting Analysis: This involves the examination of handwriting and signature samples to determine authorship or authenticity of documents.
Questioned Document Analysis: This involves the examination of documents such as contracts, wills, and ransom notes to determine their authenticity and to detect any alterations or forgery.
Forensic Chemistry: This involves the study of chemical substances found at crime scenes, including drugs, explosives, and toxic compounds. It also involves the analysis of physical evidence for trace evidence of chemicals, such as gunshot residues or tire tread marks.
Forensic Biology: This involves the study of biological evidence, such as body fluids, hair, and tissues, to identify suspects or link crimes.
Forensic Psychology: This involves the application of psychology to legal cases, such as determining the mental state or behavior of suspects, witnesses, or victims, or evaluating the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.
Forensic Computer Analysis: This involves the examination of computer systems and digital devices to recover evidence or track online activity related to criminal investigations.
Vehicle Accident Reconstruction: This involves the reconstruction of accidents involving vehicles or other machinery, using physical evidence and computer simulations to determine the cause and liability of the accident.
Digital Forensics: This involves the recovery and analysis of digital data from computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices for use as evidence in legal cases.
Toxicology: This involves the study of the effects of drugs, alcohol, and other substances on the body, as well as the detection of drugs in biological samples such as blood or urine.
Fingerprints: Identification and comparison of fingerprints left on surfaces.
Bloodstains: Analysis of bloodstains to determine blood type, DNA, and other characteristics.
Gunshot residue: Chemical analysis of residue left by firearms.
Hair and fiber analysis: Examination of hair and fibers found on crime scenes or on the suspects' clothing.
"It is governed by the legal standards of admissible evidence and criminal procedure."
"It is a broad field utilizing numerous practices such as the analysis of DNA, fingerprints, bloodstain patterns, firearms, ballistics, and toxicology."
"Forensic scientists collect, preserve, and analyze scientific evidence during the course of an investigation."
"While some forensic scientists travel to the scene of the crime to collect the evidence themselves, others occupy a laboratory role, performing analysis on objects brought to them by other individuals."
"Still others are involved in the analysis of financial, banking, or other numerical data for use in financial crime investigation."
"They can be employed as consultants from private firms, academia, or as government employees."
"In addition to their laboratory role, forensic scientists testify as expert witnesses in both criminal and civil cases."
"They can work for either the prosecution or the defense, and any field could technically be forensic."
"Certain sections have developed over time to encompass the majority of forensically related cases."
"Criminalistics, also known as forensic science, is the application of science to criminal and civil laws."
"It is governed by the legal standards of admissible evidence and criminal procedure."
"...analysis of DNA, fingerprints, bloodstain patterns, firearms, ballistics, and toxicology."
"Forensic scientists collect, preserve, and analyze scientific evidence."
"Some forensic scientists travel to the scene of the crime to collect the evidence themselves, while others perform analysis on objects brought to them."
"They can be involved in the analysis of financial, banking, or other numerical data for use in financial crime investigation."
"They can be employed as consultants from private firms, academia, or as government employees."
"Forensic scientists testify as expert witnesses in both criminal and civil cases."
"They can work for either the prosecution or the defense."
"Certain sections have developed over time to encompass the majority of forensically related cases."