Category: Forensic science

The criminal justice system often trusts on forensic evidence to convict or exonerate the suspect but some legal professionals say many forensic practices including bite mark, DNA and hair examination lack integrity. When forensic methods such as DNA investigation are supposed to be systematically lawful, they have error rates higher than the public are led to believe (Jasanoff). Dr. Max M. Houck is an international forensic expert with over 25 years of experience. He has identified about 220 people have been exonerated from the previous conviction due to the misplaced evidence or misinterpreted information from the DA’s office. The mishandling of forensic science contributed to 45% of wrongful convictions in the United States proven through DNA evidence. False or misleading forensic evidence was a contributing factor in 24% of all wrongful convictions nationally, according to the National Registry of Exonerations, which tracks both DNA and non-DNA based exonerations (Houck).

A fingerprint mark or handwriting are so vast that it is unlikely to find the exact match to one individual. Even trusted lines of evidence, such as fingerprint analysis, are not water-tight. It can be inferred that the print or of written text would be similar among multiple people that would be extremely hard to pin point it to one person. From this likelihood and the fact that society in general cannot be excluded this would complicate the third process of individualism which would lead to one of the theories from Karl Popper of white swans: We can’t conclude that all swans are white unless we have been able to examine all swans (Popper). This can determine that the finger print or handwriting is shared among numerous people. Popper’s theories search for the truth in science, the answer cannot conclusively be found within inductive reasoning. “What we are trying to do in science is to describe and (as much as possible) to explain the reality. We do it using conjectural theories, i.e. theories that we hope are true (or close to the truth), but it is not possible for us to establish that they are certain, or even probable” (Popper).

From a subjective point of view, based on the experience of the detective they use their own personal opinions and previous crime scene to conclude who and what they may be searching for. A subjective decision is what leads to the problem with induction. Induction is the process of being constructed from a narrow or broad interpretation based from a limited source of information. A person uses an assortment of evidence expanded through time and knowledge and uses it to form a conclusion from the given facts. There are no objective standards to guide how examiners reach their conclusions. There is not set standard of how many characteristics must be shared before the expert can declare a finger print a match. It is completely up to the decision of the individual examiner based on their training and experience. Even if the print is wrong, the examiner can associate a few shared impressions to prove it is an exact match. This is almost entirely subjective that leads to a biased decision making result. (Mnookin).

In an attempt to overcome the induction problem in traditional forensic classification, it is trusted on the differences between numerous characteristics and an objective approach to let hard evidence do the heavy lifting. For example, firearms of a cert Deductive reasoning skills are useful in scientific investigations. Deductive reasoning applies broad principles to predict specific answers. For example, the broad principles of human genetics can be applied to DNA analysis, usually yielding very reliable results. In make will leave the same markers on a bullet. The type of weapon could then be identified (Mnookin).

Traditional forensic sciences need to change the current paradigm. The current central staple of these fields is deteriorated by evidence of errors in proficiency testing and in authentic cases. Changes in the law pertaining to the acceptability of expert evidence are driving the older forensic sciences toward a new scientific paradigm. Forensic sciences are integrating to move an up and coming doubt about the claims of the traditional forensic individualization sciences. Although forensic science is still flawed, these sciences are moving toward a new scientific paradigm (Jasanoff). From Thomas Kuhn’s concept the five characterizes to prove a theory is valid. They are accuracy, consistency, scope, simplicity and fruitfulness (95). Forensic science can fit within accuracy because at the time of court cases and evidence built up against the perp, it is through the current scientific experiments and observations that come to the conclusion. The accuracy of forensics science paradigm is always being shifted to something different when new equipment comes out and new research is found. It can also fit within consistency in that it fits with Karl popper’s theory of white swans and how a fingerprint cannot be reduced to one individual. Forensic science can as well be fruitful, the parameters are constantly changing to advance with technology and use everything at hand to merge what they already know to the new theories being added within the science. Forensic science is transforming itself to be a more grounded science to improve with technology. In the past from new articles people who were convicted of grave crimes have been exonerated by DNA analyses of crime scene evidence that had not been tested at the time of their trials.

What’s needed are additional safeguards to shield forensic examiners against irrelevant information that might skew their judgement. There needs to be a reform within the justice system to rethink its inclination to disclose pattern-matching evidence. Improving laws to ensure proper access to release based on changes in science for people who have been convicted based off of biased or mishandled evidence. Some state has already taken measure to help improve the justice system. California enacted a law that allows convicted people to seek relief based on flawed forensic evidence used in their convictions (Mnookin). Flawed convictions sometimes occur, new science and technology can help distinguish and correct future mistakes. If the people doing crime scene work are trained to believe evidence has a limited role and value, more errors will occur. There needs to be a real focus on training to ensure that trace is recognized, recorded and recovered and its assessment documented in the triage or case management phase. There is also a need for a judge to be versed in forensic science, a judge decides what evidence can be presented in court. Most of them do not have training within forensics or the skill to evaluate the systematic validity of a forensic practice, this should have precedent over the current precedent (Jasanoff).

References

1. https://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/full/10.1162/daed_a_00523 (Mnookin, 2018)
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXAk_frXOxI (Houck).
3. https://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/full/10.1162/daed_a_00517 (Jasanoff, 2018)

Forensic science is any sort of science utilized in the legitimate or equity framework to help and maintain the law. Forensic science is acquired from the Latin term forensis which means public discussion or debate. Forensic science is the implication of science, and the scientific method to the judicial system. At the point when wrongdoing has been submitted and proof is gathered at the scene, researchers break it down, show up at logical outcomes and give master court declarations about their discoveries. Forensic science focuses on realities that demonstrate something did or didn’t occur in a lawbreaker or common case.

Benefits

The dismissal of the innocent, around 80 cases have been overturned because of the DNA evidence. Forensics has been expenitionly developing and becoming better. The use of forensics has helped a lot of people that were wrongfully accused of a crime, giving the people their freedom back. Forensics can also be used to help identify the victim that has been in a crime or a disaster. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to swiftly make millions to billions of copies of the sample DNA, that is large enough to study in detail. So either the criminal can be convicted of the crime or the victim can be identified. The DNA can also be used in natural disasters as a means to determine the victims if they can not be identified. In one case, Ted Bundy was convicted of murder, of 12 year old Kimberly Leach. Fibres of the girl’s clothing was found in the back of his van. I believe that forensic science is beneficial because it has helped innocent people that were convicted to be set free. It has also helped the police force with finding and arresting criminals.

Science involved in forensic technology

Due to the rapid enhancements in technology, solving crimes has become a lot simpler. During the forensic science process , scientific gear is utilized to process samples and evidence to solve crimes. Measurements include fingerprinting or DNA identification, analysing chemicals or drugs, analysing evidence and dealing with bodily fluids. There are many methods in forensics, these include: Phenom desktop SEM which is a rapid and high quality imaging tool that is reliable. This allows crime labs to examine for gunshot residue fragments. Facial reconstruction is an approach used in the forensic field when a body is unable to be analyzed. Artistry, anthropology, osteology and anatomy are all used to recreate the face of the individual from the skeletal remains. DNA sequencing helps identify both criminals and victims, by using skin or hair. Admittedly DNA evidence alone can’t get you convicted but it plays a crucial part. DNA sequencing also allows forensic scientists to arrange short tandem repeat markers (STR), likely resulting in an increased capability to differentiate individuals.

Issues relating to forensic science

Ethical

Firstly before you can say what is ethical and what is not, you have to first have a universal definition. The reason is because one person’s beliefs, morals, ethics and culture can be different meaning that they might see something as acceptable and another person might not. Issues such as juvenile incarcerations, mental capability of the accused to stand trial, discrimination and confidentiality. To ensure that you comply to the highest standards of ethical practice the following steps have to be made, identify the problem; consider the significance of the context and setting; identify and use ethics and legal resources; consider personal beliefs and values; develop possible solutions to the problem; consider the potential consequences of various solutions; choose and implement a course of action; and assess the outcome and implement changes as needed.

Social

Forensic science has been intensely affected socially, this has appeared through the incalculable time’s convictions have been founded on forensic evidence, more appointed authorities, juries and legal counselors put confidence into criminological science. This has influenced web based life by placing a great deal of trust in scientists.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, forensic science like all things has its pros and cons. In some cases it is crucial and helpful in identifying people that could solve the case but it could also go against someone’s beliefs, ethics, morals and values but I believe that can really help solve a crime.

It is recorded in history that the first police laboratory to open in the United Kingdom was the Metropolitan Police Laboratory that opened in 1935 at Hendon, Barnet. This laboratory only had a small number of personnel working there at six, a possible reasoning for this would be that Forensic Science was a new area of advanced science which had not been discovered back in that time era. The Home Office opened several laboratories across England and Wales under the name of the Home Office Forensic Science Service after the success of the first laboratory and increasing demand not only England and Wales but in addition a very few European countries. ([1] Walls HJ 1976) This is mainly because the first official forensic science laboratory was formed by the French police department and opened in 1910 at Lyon, France.

[3] The Government of the United Kingdom announced the closure of the service in December 2010, claiming that the service was stacking up monthly losses of up to £2 million. It closed on the 31st March 2012. Collections of case files and casework samples such as microscope slides, fibre samples and DNA samples from older cases were kept for future investigation and analysis if needed. The service’s reputation was heavily questioned following its failure to recover blood stains from a shoe in the murder of Damilola Taylor. It became exposed to further scrutiny when the service failed to use highly advanced and more modern techniques for extracting DNA samples in cases between 2000 and 2005. This led the Association of Chief Police Officers to advise and instruct all police forces in England and Wales to review cases where samples had failed to give a DNA profile, and this resulted in uncertainty and doubt in the Forensic Science Service. ([3] Forensic Science Labs. 2016)

According to the [4] Law Gazette blog article by Alistair Logan, He states ‘A survey of forensic scientists carried out by the New Scientist found that 78% of them thought that miscarriages of justice will increase. 70% felt that there will be a reduction in the reliability of the interpretation of evidence; 65% of them felt that it would make it harder for defence teams to challenge the interpretation of evidence and a similar number felt that there will be a decrease of straightforwardness by Forensic Scientists employed by private Forensic Science providers’. I believe that the quote and statistics suggest that before the closure of the Forensic Science service, most Forensic Scientists believed that the closure of the service would negatively impact the process of criminal investigations. The report also states that due to the closure of the service in, the organisation of evidence in cases from 2010 would have been extremely messy and it would have caused a lot of complications which resulted in serial offenders escaping detection. This suggests that Forensic Scientists believed that there would be an increase of crime after the closure of the service because of this issue. I believe that this would have had a negative effect on society because it would lead to more reoffences and in result, criminal investigations. ([4] Logan. A 22nd August 2012)

Total Forensic provision was estimating to cost police services in England and Wales before the closure around £400 million every year. Spending on Forensic Science was estimated to around 20% of each Force’s scientific and technological spend for each police force. 52% of police force’s Forensic spend was on services provided in house by police forces which consisted of fingerprinting and Scenes of Crime Officers. ([5] Forensic Science on Trial 2004-05)

There were several smaller companies engaged in analytical and testing work, looking at the graph only a small percentage of services was provided by individual Forensic practitioners before the closure. The Forensic Science Service accounted for around 85% of the external Forensic services market, but the market share had been declining before the closure of the service in 2012. I believe that due to the impact of the police reducing the cost of Forensic Science services to their forces, this led to a strong likelihood that the costs ended up rising for less able consumers. This would also have led to the fact that in house police laboratories would not have been available to the defence due to the closure of the service in 2012. This source from the House of Commons suggests that the reduction of Forensic Science market providers led to the eventual closure of the service and police forces have not had the same services ever since due to them wanting to reduce costing from services back in 2004.

A news article from the Independent written by Paul Peachey in 2015 explains the risk of privatisation in Forensic services. This article talks about the impact from the Forensic Science Service closure and contains expert opinion. It states ‘While the size of the private sector Forensics market has declined, the police’s own in house laboratory work has increased from 113 million pounds in 2012-13 to 122 million pounds. Only one force has entirely obtained its Forensic Science work, the report found. In the face of budget cuts, the NAO discovered that police were designing their requests for Forensic work rather than ordering a range of tests. Professor Peter Gill, the pioneer of mass genetic profiling, said that the shift to in house DNA testing would be disastrous with Forensic Scientists under pressure to come up with results to secure convictions. Forensic Science is now becoming police controlled, Professor Gill told The Independent. It’s difficult enough when you’re not working for the police; you’re put under a lot of pressure to report what the police want you to report’ ([6] Peachey. P 2015). This suggests to us that Forensic Scientists in England and Wales believed putting Forensic Science in the hands of police forces was a negative consequence because of the closure of the service because they did not have the advanced knowledge than the Forensic Scientists who worked in the service before its closure.

It Is recorded that over 1600 people were made redundant because of the closure with many having to walk away from their expertise in Forensic Science. While it is an impact from the closure of the service, it affected many lives with some leaving the service with very healthy redundancy packages. However, to other sectors I believe it really did not matter. The people made redundant not working would not have been paying taxes as they come out automatically out of their wage slip so the taxpayer will be making less money. 1600 people is a small amount compared to the whole population so I believe it would not of had a big impact on the taxpayer. To the criminal justice system, it does not really matter because Law personnel would not be involved with the service and the analytical side of an investigation. Victims of crime will still be able to report a crime and get justice because evidence will always exist, and the closure of the service did not affect victims’ rights or chain of custody of evidence. This means that the closure of the service did not impact some sectors of criminal investigation.

Another impact since the closure of the service is that more fresh University graduates in England and Wales had started to get employed more in the Forensic Science Sector. I believe that this is both a positive and negative effect of the closure of the service. While it did create more job vacancies to provide experience and opportunity for fresh graduates, this meant that young, naïve and unexperienced individuals were walking into advanced and important roles in Forensic Science which they would have had to acquire more training from the employer. This also links with the effect of older and experienced Forensic Scientists walking away from the service after its closure whose expertise would not be yet present in newly fresh University graduates. Overall, I believe that this is a negative effect of the closure of the Forensic Science Service.

In the [7] Forensic Science Strategy report, it talks about how the Government wanted a long term strategy after the closure for research in Forensic Science. In this case for biometrics as the Government believes it is ‘fast changing’ and ‘provides opportunities for better secure identity verification, better public services, improved public protection and the ability to identify and stop criminals’. This suggests that even after the closure of the service, research around Forensic Science carried on as technology is constantly getting developed. However, without the service and the closure of many Forensic laboratories I believe research was impacted by restrictions to lack of available Forensic Scientists and laboratories. It goes on to state ‘. The Government is developing two separate Forensic and Biometric strategies and remains determined to publish both strategies by the end of 2015’. This is also evidence that the Government was continuing to invest in Forensic Science research despite the closure of the service. Overall, I believe research was impacted negatively by the closure because of the many Forensic Scientists becoming redundant and walking away with their expertness. ([7] Forensic Science Strategy 2016-17)

References Used

1. Walls HJ: The Forensic Science Service in Great Britain: A short history; J Forensic Sci Soc 16:273; 1976.
2. Authority of the House of Commons (2011) The Forensic Science Service, London: The Stationary Office Limited.
3. Forensic Science Labs. Derelict Places documenting decay. 25th September (2016). Accessed: 12 March 2020. Available at: https://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/misc-sites/33787-forensic-science-labs.html#.XmqbpKj7TIU
4. Logan, A. 22nd August 2012. Law. . The Destruction of the Forensic Science Service. [Online]. Accessed: 6th April 2020. Available at: https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/law/the-destruction-of-the-forensic-science-service/67018.article
5. House of Commons Science and Technology Committee: Forensic Science on Trial (seventh report of session 2004-05 HC 96-1); [Online] Accessed: 8th April 2020. Available at: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmsctech/96/96i.pdf
6. Peachey, P., 2015. Privatisation of forensic services ‘threat to justice’ and putting the work in police hands would be ‘disastrous,’ warn experts. The Independent, [online] p.A single page. Accessed 9th April 2020. Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/privatisation-of-forensic-services-a-threat-to-justice-and-putting-the-work-in-police-hands-would-be-9991356.html
7. House of Commons Science and Technology Committee: Forensic Science Strategy (Fourth report of session 2016-17); [Online] Accessed: 10th April 2020. Available at: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmsctech/501/501.pdf
8. The Government Response to the Second Report from the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee Session 2013-14 HC 610: Forensic Science; November 2013; [Online] Accessed 10th April 2020. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/goverment/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/264054/8750.pdf
9. BBC News: New Forensic Science Service Planned; [Online] Accessed 10th April 2020. Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35793073
10. The Department of Justice: About Forensic Science Northern Ireland; [Online] Accessed 11th April 2020. Available at: https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/articles/about-forensic-science-northern-ireland

The subject of criminology is often seen as more of a scientific field and the popular media that engages with crime sources their material from crimes that had occurred or theories that engage with deviance and criminology. However, the emergence of forensic semiotics have placed a new emphasis on the study of the relationship between criminology, forensic sciences, and the portrayal of crime in popular media. The study of forensic semiotics can contribute significantly to the study of crime detection and understanding the meaning of crime (Danesi 26). Through using Catch Me If You Can’s (2002) engagement with the signs of deception, detection processes and psychoanalytics, I argue that the value of forensic semiotics is demonstrated through exploring the difficulty of catching crime and understanding the relational aspects behind the meaning of crime as it achieves the perfect balance between first and second order forensic semiotics.

The theoretical background of understanding the forensic semiotics is based on its first and second order. According to Danesi, first order forensic semiotics refers to how insights from evidence that are collected by forensic scientists can aid crime detection such as through helping “interrogators and investigators understand how facial expressions, gesture, language, and so on can be used to recognize deception and identify perpetrators” (27). Meanwhile, second order forensic semiotics refers to the synergy formed between gauging “the connection among crime, fictional depictions of it, and cultural definitions and perceptions of crime” (Danesi 27). In a way, there is a sense of partnership that has been established between the police and media as they investigate crime in tandem through both the reality and fictional dimensions of crime (Danesi 27). The argument to be made here is that Catch Me If You Can (2002) creates an excellent balance in demonstrating both first and second order forensic semiotics as the first order reveals the difficulty in catching criminals, while the second order seeks to understand the meaning of crime through exploring its relational aspects as it highlights the social formation of deviance and the relationship between the investigator and the criminal.

For context, Catch Me If You Can (2002) is a film based on the true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., starring Leonardo Dicaprio as Frank, Tom Hanks as Carl Hanratty (fictional FBI character but based on real characters that led to his arrest), and directed by Steven Spielberg. The film traces the development of Frank who began to con and use confidence tricks as early as sixteen years old following the divorce of his parents. He would first begin with writing his own personal cheques, then impersonating airline pilots and forging Pan Am payroll cheques. As his crimes catch the attention of the FBI, Frank begins to impersonate a doctor, and then a lawyer, falling in love with hospital worker, Brenda. However, Carl closes in on Frank and forces Frank to flee to Europe. Frank continues to forge checks in Europe but is eventually caught by Carl in France. Frank is eventually escorted back to the United States but after finding out that his father had died, Frank escapes the airplane through the toilet. He runs to his mother’s house and sees his half-sister through the window before surrendering to the police that had arrived. Frank is sentenced to twelve years but Carl worked to have him serve the remainder of his sentence through working for the FBI. While their working relationship continues, Frank becomes increasingly bored of his position and wishes to break free again. Carl intercepts Frank attempting to fly as an airline pilot and becomes worried at first when Frank doesn’t return to work. However, Frank eventually appears and the movie concludes with a short description of the Frank in real life working as a security consultant.

First, the film engages with a reflection on the processes in which first order forensic semiotics are being developed while highlighting the difficulties of crime detection in real life. There are two main forms of deception that the film engages with: lying as a con man, and forgery. Unbeknownst to the common observer, there is purpose behind the acting of Dicaprio as Frank when he engages in lying such that he overcomes the semiotics of deception in order to deceive Carl. Danesi engages in a wide range of verbal and non-verbal semiotics relating the process of lying and lie detection. These include the physiological changes as mediated by the Autonomous Nervous System (ANS) as it becomes the source of L-signs such as “sweating, pupil dilation, goose bumps, among others” (32). Furthermore, it can also be combined with the use of facial expressions, eye contact, and head movement to help with detecting deception because to only interpret one out of context would be virtually useless (Danesi 42). Where these semiotics are being used to identify if an individual was lying, someone could also steer clear of revealing these signs or creating the impression of truthfulness in taking advantage of it.

In each of these categories for the semiotics of deception, Frank had been extremely effective in avoiding them to convey the semiotics of truthfulness. The most ridiculous but also humorous sign of deception is when Frank is caught by Carl at the hotel but Frank pretends to be a secret-service agent and is able to escape capture. From the audience’s perspective and even Carl, there is almost great certainty in Frank’s capture because he is being caught red-handed. However, he successfully deceived Carl because rather than instigating the fight or flight response that is most common with the ANS when being confronted by the police, Frank chooses somewhat of a third option. Frank’s decision to pretend to be a secret service agent highlights how the most ridiculous approach was effective in his instance because it was something that was entirely unexpected. Not only did the audience not expect this, but Carl did not as well. The process of lying also steered clear of the semiotics of deception as Frank engaged in eye-contact, maintained a posture of confidence, and spoke with the same air that one would expect from another law enforcement official. In this sense, it highlights one of the difficulties in the forensic science and first order forensic semiotics where the interpretation of signs is based on existing data that had been gathered. When observations are made from data and instances that are entirely foreign, then the investigator is fallible to deception. Carl, who did not have any idea of what Frank looked like, was unable to realize that he was being lied to. There were also no signs for him to detect that would suggest deception, as all observations had pointed to truthfulness. Such techniques were replicated throughout the movie when Frank engaged in cons and confidence tricks as he avoided the semiotics of deception but the instance of lying to Carl as a secret service agent is the most impressive and humorous of them all.

While there is indubitably an element of luck in Frank deceiving Carl and the exaggeration that may need to be acknowledged from the film’s purpose and role as mass media, it ultimately highlights the difficulty of capture criminals. This is one of the more effective features of the film in relation to forensic semiotics as it provides a window as to the difficult reality of detecting lies and thus catching criminals. As Danesi writes, “to the semiotician, only by matching them to the situation, the context, and other variables that characterize human interaction can they be construed as constituting signs of deception…[and] making an accurate conclusion about the truth or falsity of some statement achievable” (32). While it is easy for one to list out the semiotics of deception, the truth is that they need to be taken in conjunction with the context and a multitude of different variables which makes the process of detecting deception and crime itself tremendously difficult. In fact, Vrij highlights how one of the biggest problems with training for lie detection is that there is difficulty in teaching the trainee as to which specific cues that they should be looking out for that are diagnostic as opposed to non-diagnostic (171). This posits one of the challenges with semiotic forensics and highlights an important future direction—the interpretation of signs and semiotics.

The relationship between the signifier and the signified requires such a multidisciplinary approach because not every cue in lie detection is diagnostic and focusing on the non-diagnostic ones may lead the investigator astray. This is further challenged and mediated by the combination of different cues based on different contexts that the investigator needs to address at the same time. Within an interview setting, Carl may have been more effective to catch and detect the lies of Frank because interview settings can introduce different interview styles that elicit different responses from the alleged criminal (Vrij 174). However, this again demonstrates the difficulty for the investigator who is encountering a criminal or interviewing potential witnesses because they are not conducted in such a close environment. The study of forensic semiotics in the second order allows the audience to gain an understanding of such difficulties and perhaps providing motivation in future as to how law enforcement officers could respond more effectively to deception.

The second difficulty of crime detection as highlighted by the film is addressing the social aspects of criminology or the criminal justice system as a whole. The depiction of crime on popular media is one of the main ways of engagement from second order forensic semiotics where it extends beyond just the ontological processes of the detective as had been highlighted by Danesi but also a commentary on the social aspects of the criminal justice system as an important mediator of how criminals are caught (143). This is an extension of how the detective is often seen to be not playing by the rules as they use unorthodox methods to investigate the crime or potentially being in conflict with their superiors (Danesi 143). The conflicts that could be seen in the movie are the loss of confidence from Carl’s superiors as Frank was able to evade capture multiple times over the past few years. While Carl does not entirely use unorthodox methods to try to capture Frank, but he is determined to fly to Europe as well as being portrayed as one of the lead detectives to have caught onto Frank or is more educated than his colleagues in aspects relating to forgery and financial crimes.

However, the more important commentary that is being made by the movie is how there are inherent flaws within the criminal justice system due to the mediation by social and bureaucratic processes. Frank is often portrayed as the outsider compared to his colleagues because his knowledge of financial crimes is more advanced, especially as when his colleague mocks him for spending so much time studying cheques and forgeries. This can be seen when the colleague said “Carl, for those of us who are unfamiliar with bank fraud…You know, you want to talk to my wife, she’s the one balances the checkbooks at our house” (Spielberg 44:30).

References

1. Danesi, Marcel. Signs of Crime: Introducing Forensic Semiotics. De Gruyter Mouton, 2014.
2. Vrij, Aldert. “Why professionals fail to catch liars and how they can improve.” Legal and Criminal Psychology, vol. 9, 2004, pp. 159-181.
3. Tzanelli, Rodanthi, et al. “’Con Me If You Can’: Exploring Crime in the American Cinematic Imagination.” Theoretical Criminology, vol. 9, no. 1, Feb. 2005, pp. 97–117, doi:10.1177/1362480605048945.
4. Presser, Lois. “Criminology and the Narrative Turn.” Crime, Media, Culture, vol. 12, no. 2, Aug. 2016, pp. 137–151, doi:10.1177/1741659015626203.
5. Spielberg, Steven, director. Dicaprio, Leonardo and Tom Hanks, Performer. Catch Me If You Can. DreamWorks Pictures, 2002.
6. Dooely, Brendan. “The Emergence of Contemporary Criminology: An Oral History of Its Development as an Independent Profession.” Crime, Law and Social Change, vol. 66, no. 4, 2016, 339-357.

The term criminology was formulated in (1885 by Raffaele Garofalo) who was an Italian professor. According to Edwin Sutherland and Donald Cressey, criminology is a body of knowledge regarding crime as a social event also its an action, toward the breaking of laws. Moreover, there is also argument whether criminology is a science or not( between Edwin H. Sutherland and Donald Cressy). Criminology relates to science because criminals commit crime due to the environment or because of their genetics.

Criminology has wide implications for society, and affects many aspects of our lives and therefore wider knowledge on causes and prevention of criminal behaviour can positively contribute to individual lives and to society more holistically. Albert Bandura’s social learning theory clearly demonstrates the role of imitation and role models in influencing our behaviour (1). This can then be linked to Sutherland’s differential association theory, to explain offending behaviour as a product of our environment and exposure to pro-criminal attitudes and how our interactions and associations with others play a significant role in the type of behaviour we chose to display (2). Additionally, exploring Skinner’s operant Conditioning theory highlighted the role of consequences of behaviour and how this can either weaken or strengthen actions (3).

Such theories emphasise the role of the environment in shaping our behaviour however, it is important to take an electric approach to gain a better understanding of causes of specific actions be it prosocial behaviour or criminal behaviour therefore, criminology is science and has an affect on individuals and this has a negative or positive impact on the society. Additionally, researching Raine’s ( Brain abnormalities in murderers indicated by positron emission tomography 1997) work, on neural explanations of criminal behaviour opened a new way of thinking to why people become criminals. His work focuses on neural abnormalities where he found an 11% reduction the volume of grey matter in the prefrontal cortex of criminals compared to a control group.

One way that, criminology is a science because the biological theories of crime emphasises a general way to evaluate a problem rather than examining a problem by guessing or paranormal way. Ibn al-Haytham (965-1039), developed a biological way that explains crime and criminal behaviour of an individual also, the scientist Iraqi-born wrote a book about explanation of how and why the problem is a issue and the affect on the individuals behaviour. (4). The scientific method in the hard or natural sciences has been used to analyse and solve issues to explain how social problems develop and has an affect on an individuals such as crime and criminality and to understand difference between criminal and non-criminal individuals.

The biological approach also emphasises that criminology is a science. Hans Eysenck believed that the biological theory explains the difference between criminal and non criminal behaviour of an individual, he argues that criminal behaviour happens because of their choices and biological genetics. Hans Eysenck (5) found three dimensions which were called personality traits. These personality traits helps someone understand if an individual is likely to commit crime. The first personality trait was called extroversion-introversion, this dimension is found in everyone it explains how social and shy or quiet an individuals is. Extroversion is also stability of inhibition and excitation which demonstrates how someones brain work and how it starts taking action and stopping it from doing something therefore if an individual wanted to commit crime their brain first get in to alert and want to do it however there’s also other side of the brain, which is inhibition which helps the idea settle down and delay the action happening which will make an individual have second thoughts of doing the crime. However, the choice is always up to the individual, they will make a choice of that two balanced thoughts whether its right or wrong. The second personality trait is neurotics helps an individual to express their feelings and emotions. The research that H. Eysenck made demonstrates that people with neuroticism is more like to be relaxed or nervous therefore a lot of people are more likely to agonise from the nervous disorder. People that fells in to neurotic category is more likely to use their thoughts and emotions to control their actions therefore sympathy nervous system has big impact on their behaviour. If an individual is nervous and fearful they will be more less likely to commit crime because, their emotions will take over their brain and not make to action happen. Additionally the last one is psychoticism ( Hans Eysenck 1966). H. Eysenck added the third trait later, depending on he’s research there was also people that didn’t fall in to other traits such as, aggressive or lonely people. They are more likely to commit crime because they will have problems with controlling their anger and lack of communications with other people therefore they will have nothing to lose. They will risk everything and do an inappropriate behaviour.

In conclusion, Hans Eysenck’s ( 1966) trait approach theory emphasise that criminology is a science, which is scientifically proofed. If an individual has a criminal act, this will happen because of their genetics and personality. As H. Eysenck explained that personality traits has important part of an individual’s actions. Also, a criminal behaviour can be encouraged by psychoanalytically this demonstrates the experiences from the individual’s past which will affect on their behaviour in a positive or negative way.

We are familiar with what is called the Scientific Method; it has been in existent for some years. It is factual that during the course of human history scientists and mathematicians because of the rudimentary basics they were able to follow the method, even though they were rarely acknowledged and hardly tracked the Method precisely. Scientific Method was initially invented by an Italian doctor know as Francesco Redi in the late 17th centuries, it was the experiments he did that refuted the impulsive generation of maggots on rotting garbage. It was through his experiments of those maggots that appeared to mysteriously form on rotting meat, but it would be through hypothesizing that this was proven not to be true. The Scientific Method is the standard process that scientists are expected to follow when conducting experiments, in order to try to construct a dependable, reliable, and non-arbitrary picture of our surroundings.

In order to follow the Scientific Method, one would need to be strict and stick very closely to a order of conducting tests. The one thing that the scientist need to do first, would be that the scientist has to detect the phenomenon of importance. What happens after that is the scientist has to offer a premise, or thought in which the experimentations would be founded around. With that there must be a repeat of the experimentation, because the hypothesis could prove to be incorrect or are it could actually turn out to be a theory. If the hypothesis is confirmed to be incorrect, the scientist would have to reformulate his or her thoughts and come up with another hypothesis, and the experiment would have to commence over. This process will have to be repeated till a theory is produce. It would then be called a theory in the making which is called a conclusion.

What will be brought out in this paper and it will be shown just how observation and description of a phenomenon or a group of phenomena is done. Also Formulation of a hypothesis or hypotheses to explain the phenomena, why it’s important for the use of the hypothesis to predict the existence of other phenomena, or to quantitatively predict the results of new observations and the performance of testing of predictions by several independent experimenters. A famous scientist once said, clever people like smart attorneys can come up with a very good explanation for a incorrect point of view.

The scientific method which will be shown here will attempt to minimalize the effect of partiality or prejudice in the experimenter when testing a hypothesis or a theory.

A primary stage involved in the scientific process is the observing and explanation of a phenomenon or a group of phenomena. The forensic examiner must notice an occurrence or situation. How this scientific process phase connects to forensic science would be, for instance, in a crime scene examination concerning ballistics. The observation would be of a specific bullet imprint in a surrounding. Maybe the defense in the situation would increase in their legal argument that the offender could not possibly have killed the victim given the point of entrance and point of exit wounds or the kind of bullet involved. The forensic examiner on the specific case may have the responsibility of arguing this claim. Young (2017)

Forensic ballistic investigation in criminal cases is not restricted exclusively to ballistics, rather includes blood-stained pattern examinations as well linking missile. Science should be, about the facts. Truth in its theoretical, divine or metaphysics forms is vital, but science deals only with experiential certainty. The scientific process has demonstrated itself over time to be a dependable way to reach an actual, quantifiable, apparent certainty. Past events, by their nature of being in the past, have passed from actual to abstract. All that is in the past is now in the form of retention or record, if it is in any form at all. To reach the certainty of past events, mainly truth that is actual, calculated, or experiential, the anamnestic information must not be disregarded or diminished. It must be joined with the explanations made at the crime sight, in the crime test center or in the post-mortem suite. Young (2017)

The scientific technique without change to allow for past events will only cause inaccuracies. Inaccuracies of this nature lead to prejudice. Those of us in the legal and forensic science communities should never allow this kind of prejudice or permit it to happen. The Shaken Baby Syndrome is one instance of how a incorrect use of the scientific technique from past events can lead to years upon years of errors and prejudices. There are many other instances that could be mentioned, but this paper is limited to a certain amount of words. With all the time that has lapsed there is no divinity way of determining just how to estimate the prejudices brought about by perplexed science. Some prejudices in time may be resolved, but regrettably most will not. It is my hope that forensic scientists, police officers, the legal community, and others who systematically investigate events from the past will uniformly embrace the change of the scientific process for past events: the forensic scientific method. Young (2017)

A hypothesis is used to explain a phenomenon or predict a relationship in communication research. There are four evaluation criteria that a hypothesis must meet. First, it must state an expected relationship between variables. Second, it must be testable and falsifiable; researchers must be able to test whether a hypothesis is truth or false. Third, it should be consistent with the existing body of knowledge. Finally, it should be stated as simply and concisely as possible. Allen (2017)

Formulating a hypothesis requires a specific, testable, and predictable statement driven by theoretical guidance and/or prior evidence. A hypothesis can be formulated in various research designs. In experimental settings, researchers compare two or more groups of research participants to investigate the differences of the research outcomes. These participants are randomly. Allen (2017)

An example of this would be: if I eat more vegetables, I would lose more weight faster. The result would be this. Direct effects of the intervention would be found for the change in the body weight (b=-3.84, R2=0.074), fruit/vegetable intake (b=2.00, R2=0.083), and (EBI) eating behaviors mediated scores (b=7.15, R2=0.229) (ps < 0.05). The treatment group to weight change path was not statistically significant (b=-0.673, R2=0.208) when fruit/vegetable intake change and EBI score change were specified as intervention mediators in the model. The total indirect effect was 3.17 lbs. indicating that the indirect paths explained 82.6% of the total effect on weight change.

Previously it was mention that the scientific method tries to minimalize the effect of the scientist’s prejudice on the outcome of an experiment. When testing a hypothesis or a theory, the scientist may have a partiality for one result or another, and it is significant that this first choice not bias the outcome or their clarification. The greatest fundamental error would be to mistake the hypothesis for an explanation of a phenomenon, short of carrying out experimental testing or rule out information which does not back up the hypothesis. ‘The Scientific Method “Hypotheses, Models, Theories, (2019)

Preferably, the person that is doing the experiment will be open to possibility that the hypothesis is right or wrong. From time to time, a scientist may have a strong conviction that the hypothesis is correct or incorrect, or feels internal or external weight to get a precise outcome. In that case, there may be a mental propensity to discover something incorrect, such as methodical effects, with information which do not back up the scientist’s anticipation, while information which does agree with the anticipation might be checked more carefully. The object lesson here would be that all information has to be handled in the same way. ‘The Scientific Method “Hypotheses, Models, Theories (2019)

Another common error could arise from the failure to calculate quantitatively methodical mistakes and all mistakes. There are countless instances of detections which were misused by experimenters whose information contained a new phenomenon, but who explained it away as a methodical background. On the other hand, there are numerous instances of so-called new detections which later shown to be due to methodical mistakes not accountable for by the discoverers. In an arena where there is vigorous testing and open interaction amongst associates of the scientific community, the prejudices of people or groupings might stop, as experimental tests are reiterated by other scientists that may have other prejudices. There are other kinds of experimental formats that have other bases of methodical mistakes. Over a period spanning a variety of experimental tests typically at least numerous years, a consensus grows in the public as to which experimental outcomes have stood the test of time. ‘The Scientific Method “Hypotheses, Models, Theories“(2019)

The final step in this entire process of scientific method of course is the performing of the experiments. There are many testers and as such they are all trying to predict by doing their own independent experiments, therefore trying to come up with their own predictions. What this means is whether or not their hypothesis will be reinforced by the results they come up with, because once the testing has been conducted and predicted and results attained, the hypothesis is now considered to be believable. The test must be a control testing implemented by more than a few self-governing alchemists/ scientist. It is the job of the examiner or the scientists to contrast and or control because the repetition aspects of these testing are critical. Within these final stages of testing there should be an attempt of numerous testing times on numerous subjects. It is imperative in doing so in the last stages so that it may be determine that the outcome is not merely coincidental, but rather intentional and undeniable. Schafersman (1997)

Forensics science is crucial in the request to law and permitted questions as fairness is hinging on unwavering and precise outcomes. Luckily, science and technology have greatly enhanced in recent years to decrease the number of flawed accusations and judgments for the not guilty. But on the other hand this same control is for more stretching in that a criminal or perpetrator is just about certain to be arrested given the probability that minuscule strands of traced evidence is practically always located at the scene of a crime. Schafersman (1997)

Striving for brilliance is oftentimes convoyed by misfortune, because one cannot rely on one thing more than it does the other, like the research within itself are testing that will be the determining factor in reality. This was a known fact when G.A. Magnini, openly declared that Galileo’s observations showed that Jupiter had satellites, therefore he proved this was incorrect. Schafersman (1997) Although the scientific revolution emerged gradually, Galileo’s ideas were able to be traced to the thirteenth century. Galileo’s (2009)

Forensic science is at a crossroads. There is an ongoing recognition that the law do require for forensic feature-comparison method to be done, in order for it to be consider as scientifically valid and dependable before it might be used in the court of law, this certainly can only be carried out by being satisfied by an actual empirical testing. There are several forensic regulations, like latent-print examination, clearly establish that a genuine empirical testing has been done and that it is possible and can help drive change for the better. There must be a generation of forensic scientists prepared and enthusiastic to embrace a fresh, empirical method including black-box studies, white-box studies, and technology expansion efforts to transform subjective approaches into unbiased approaches.

Reference

1. Allen, M. (2017) Hypothesis Formulation – SAGE Research Methods Retrieved from https://methods.sagepub.com reference the-sage-encyclopedia-of-community
2. Galileo Galilei: Biography, Inventions & Other Facts | Space (2009) Retrieved from https://www.space.com 15589-galileo-galilei
3. Schafersman, S. D. (1997). An Introduction to Science Retrieved from
4. https://pbisotopes.ess.sunysb.edu esp files scientific-method
5. The Scientific Method “Hypotheses, Models, Theories, and (2019) Retrieved from http:// https://bscdesigner.com Executive’s Toolkit
6. Young, Dr. T. (2017) Forensic Science and the Scientific Method – Heartland Retrieved from http://www.heartlandforensic.com writing forensic-science-and-the-scientific

Forensic science defines numerous scientific methods employed across different fields of investigation where cases of crimes are established. It applies multiple classes or categories of experimental techniques such as DNA extractions for analysis purposes, physical matching, blood spatter analysis, and chemical analysis, among other areas of interest. An applicable scientific technique is, however, dependable on the type of branch of forensic science. Forensic science has been divided into different classes of branches, each one of them providing essential needed services of interest in investigation practices. Some of the main branches include forensic biology, forensic chemistry, anthropology, dentistry, and forensic behavioral sciences. Forensic biology applies across different classes of biological techniques that enable experts to develop and obtain essential investigative reports in crime scenes. It uses biological techniques where DNA analysis as a method of interest is made viable. Additionally, forensic biology applies other scientific techniques and methods such as blood spatter, where bloodstain is investigated for interpretation purposes (Georgiou et al., 2020). Blood spatter provides investigators with essential investigative information that collectively tries to manage and provide evidence about numerous incidents. The historical backgrounds of each branch shared are dated back in the early years. The essay broadly analyses one branch of forensic science, which is forensic biology, by explaining the concept of the branch and historical development of the same branch.

Forensic biology covers the branch of interest selected in this assignment. It involves the application of biological techniques to associate individuals’ identifications as connected to different investigative purposes. The history of such a specified branch and other branches started in the early years right from 1248. It was the first written account of the technique connected to medicine and entomology used in the identification of crime issues and to solve criminal cases. It was first written in China and translated to other numerous languages to support investigative and criminological practices that needed a point of equality.

In the 1800s, another author over the same popularized scientific techniques and methods in crime detections through an entire idea of a fictional character (Georgiou et al., 2020). The different technologies used in the investigative approaches follow different approaches numerous scientists developed to identify or provide evidence that aids in the court decisions regarding various classes of crimes. Forensic biology may include a medical examiner, specialist, which comprises of entomologists or psychologists who are in the frontline of managing individuals based on psychological grounds to provide evidence about crimes.

Forensic biology since then has covered classy categories of investigative practices such as homicide, sexual assault, child moles, assault or battery, burglary, death investigations, controlled substances, and criminal fraternity, among other areas of interest. Each of the mentioned parts actively involves forensic biology as one of the methods of forensic science identified or selected. Each unit employs a varying technique that helps in an entire process of investigative reports.

Forensic biology history has involved or used numerous biological evidence such as semen, blood samples, saliva, hair, tissue, and epithelial skin cells where each sample collectively helps in management or investigative practices. Blood historical has been used in the extraction purposes of the DNA analysis as connected to crime and evidence practices. The historical backgrounds of forensic biology have covered various classes of investigative methods that have gone further to other areas such as fingerprinting and uhlenhuth tests essential in determining and associated body antigens species to manage and provide evidence. History of the same has been developed exponentially since previous decades that has marked several improvements in the field of forensic investigations. The historical development in the forensic biological has been reportedly increasing with each decade introducing a new approach that is market historically.

In the context of development, forensic biology over the decades has been developed significantly. Over this section, the assignment covers essential areas or parts of the forensic biology; the suggests or shows a developmental pattern of this method of interest, which is forensic biology. Some of the areas of biological techniques of interest include DNA, uhlenhuth test, and fingerprinting. DNA covers one of the methods of forensic biology that identifies shreds of evidence around criminological practices. The was first introduced in 1984 (but started in 1869), where DNA analysis has been made viable in the context of investigative practices the provide the necessary evidence (Georgiou et al., 2020). The method was developed in those early days by one of the scientists called Jerry was made an entire approach or process useful.

The specified or mentioned branch of forensic biology has been developed following scenarios where the first person who established was in a position to distinguish patterns in the genetic arrangement of genes in the region that made the investigative of the identification process viable. It employed an entire idea of the genetic code that has been increasingly used across different medical fields in the majority of cases that needed identification or evidence. DNA as a technique of the forensic biology developed further to DNA as the basis of the heredity where the same idea of identification has evolved efficiently since then and made an entire concept of the identification viable.

In the 1920s, a series of experiments was established with advances in the DNA method accounts for or explains the historical development of forensic biology (Georgiou et al., 2020). Again, several transforming principles, such as the nucleic acid was determined with Oswald Avery, where he attempted or tried to destroy various components of the cell. Each advancement made in the contest of the DNA marked an essential historical and developmental pattern of forensic biology. The whole approach was competed or established by Jerry, where he confirmed various profiles of the DNA in the context of identification purposes. It explains the development approach of the forensic biology where DNA analysis is one of the methods.

Fingerprints cover another biological technique of forensic biology that explains the historical development of the branch of interest. It was one advocated by William, where he suggested an approach that involved identifications of criminal shreds of evidence using fingerprinting methods. It happened in the early years of the 1800s that thumbs were made the basis of the patterns of identifications. Since then, the approach which substantially contributes to forensic biology has grown (Georgiou et al., 2020). Several individuals, such as Juna, actively contribute to the development of the biological technique that has enabled an entire approach of forensic biology to improve. Every single method or technique within a whole idea of forensic biology accounts for the development of the branch of interest, which is forensic biology.

To sum up, forensic biology is one of the branches of forensic science that has been selected over in this assignment. It involves several numbers of approaches such as DNA analysis and fingerprinting, among other techniques where the development in each method explains the development of the branch of forensic science selected.

Discovery and development of forensic genetics took a long time and required a lot of field practice. After the discovery of the ABO blood types, scientists start to use blood groups in identification for forensic genetics. In 1910, the French criminologist Edmond Locard proposed the Locard’s exchange principle and stated that “every contact leaves a trace,” which laid the foundation for modern forensic science (1). In 1953, the discovery of the double-helical structure of DNA enabled the start of forensic genetics research at the molecular level (1). Deoxyribonucleic acid is the basic and fundamental element in almost all life forms. In 1984, Sir Alec Jeffreys, a British geneticist studying inherited diseases, discovered DNA’s ability to individualize humans (2). The use of DNA in forensic sciences relies on the fact that every person has its own unique DNA, except for monozygotic twins. Testing techniques are mostly built on parts of DNA that can make differences among different individuals. The locations that make differences among individuals are called polymorphisms and referred as markers in forensic genetics. Forensic genetics uses genetic markers for identification. The development of genetic markers has gone through four major stages characterized by the use of morphological markers, cytological markers, biochemical markers and molecular markers (1).

Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)

Testing techniques were developed over the years with new findings in the area of forensic genetics. One of the first techniques used for identification was Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) is a difference in homologous DNA sequences that can be detected by the presence of fragments of different lengths after digestion of the DNA samples in question with specific restriction endonucleases (3). Technique involves digestion of the DNA sample with restriction endonuclease enzymes. After the digestion, fragments are separated according to their sizes using gel electrophoresis. After gel electrophoresis, denaturation of the DNA takes place. Southern Blotting process can be used after denaturation as explained in Figure 1.

The number of repeats affect the length of the resulting DNA. Scientists use this technique by comparing the lengths of the strands for identification. This technique was replaced with new ones because the process was extremely time consuming.

Variable Number Tandem Repeat (VNTR) Analysis

The other technique used for identification is Variable Number Tandem Repeat (VNTR) analysis method. A variable number tandem repeat (or VNTR) is a location where a short nucleotide sequence is organized as a tandem repeat and is called a minisatellite. This tandem repeats mostly show difference in length among people. Basic explanation of this technique is to amplify the DNA with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), digest it with restriction enzymes that cut around repeated parts of DNA. After the digestion process, gel electrophoresis technique is used to see the bands from all of the DNA. Southern Blotting method is used for the selection of the bands that represent the variable number tandem repeat alleles. Since this number of repeats in each person is different, it can be used for identification. Figure 2 represents an example of Southern Blot DNA fingerprint. In Figure 2, Locus A is a tandem repeat of the motif GC and the four alleles with two (A2), three (A3), four (A4), five (A5) repeats are shown (5). Locus B is a tandem repeat of the motif AGCT and the two alleles with two (B2) and three (B3) repeats are shown (5). Individual #1 is heterozygous at Locus A (A2 / A5) and homozygous at Locus 2 (B2 / B2: note that this genotype gives a single-banded phenotype in the fingerprint) (5). Individual #2 is heterozygous at both loci: (A4 / A3 and B3 / B2) respectively). The two individuals are distinguishable at either locus (5).

Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Analysis

Nowadays, most frequently used and worldwide technique for identification in forensics rely on short tandem repeats (STRs). A Short tandem repeat is called a microsatellite which has 2 – 7 base pair length repeats. Short tandem repeat numbers are also varying between each individual making this technique useful for identification. The difference between the Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and Short Tandem Repeat (STRs) is that the restriction enzymes are used in RFLP. PCR is used in STR. Variability of STR regions allows making a discrimination between one DNA profile and another. In STR analysis, sequence specific primers are targeting STR loci and amplification is done by PCR. For separation and detection of DNA fragments, gel electrophoresis or capillary electrophoresis (CE) can be used. Y-STRs are short tandem repeats that are found on the Y chromosome. Y-STRs are used for sex identification in crime scenes which have mixed male-female samples, paternal identification and family searches.

Main advantage of STR analysis is their high allele diversity. The most polymorphic STRs have a high discriminating power (probability that two randomly selected individuals have distinct genotypes) and low probability of match (probability that two randomly selected individuals have identical genotypes) (7).

The main disadvantage of this analysis is that STR analysis is comparable meaning that there has to be reference samples to compare. If there is not a reference sample to be compared, the other option is to search DNA databases of suspects. In Unites States national DNA database is called Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). CODIS has DNA profiles obtained from crime scene evidences.

Another disadvantage comes in such situations when evidences from crime scenes are very degraded and it is very difficult to obtain a reliable data for evaluation. In face of such difficulties using traditional STR markers protocols in some situations, various researches have allowed the use of genetic predictions of externally visible characteristics (EVCs) to be of assistance in police investigations, in both tracking suspects and identifying victims (7).

DNA Phenotyping

Certain variations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA can cause amino acid substitutions and these substitutions can alter the functional properties of proteins that are translated. Functionally altered proteins can consequently be expressed as distinct phenotypes that can make the visible characteristics of a person. A lot of studies have been conducted by scientists in order to obtain information about an individual’s physical features from DNA extracted from a blood drop or hair strands. In these studies, it is concluded that there are certain polymorphisms associated with skin, hair and eye color, facial forms, height, and baldness. Even though, in some cases these information may not be taken into account as definitive forensic evidence, they can be very leading for an investigation. Forensic DNA Phenotyping is mostly used for investigations which has no known suspects or in missing person cases.

Eye Color

Color difference between individuals has a pattern just like the pigmentation of hair or skin. The amount of melanin and number of melanosomes in the outer layer of iris define the color difference. One of the first phenotyping tools developed and validated was the Irisplex System8 consisting of six SNPs distributed among pigmentation genes (HERC2, OCA2, SLC24A4, SLC45A2, TYR, and IRF4) (7). According to the studies, these tool accomplished to distinguish between brown and blue eye colors with more than 90 percent accuracy. This tool did not show high accuracy in Asian populations. This information is suggesting that it is necessary to conduct more studies that should be focused on different populations. Another disadvantage on this topic is intermediate eye colors. Prediction accuracy of these eye colors are lower when compared to the blue and brown eye colors.

Hair Color

Two types of melanin are responsible from the difference of hair color in people: Eumelanin and pheomelanin. If the amount of eumelanin is high, color of the hair tends to be darker and if the amount of eumelanin is low hair tends to be lighter. For example, in the case of red hair pheomelanin amount is higher than eumelanin. First model based on 22 SNPs made for prediction has the 81%–93% accuracy for each hair color category (7). A new system made in 2013 (HIrisplex System) , encompasses markers from MC1R, HERC2, OCA2, SLC45A2, KITLG, EXOC2, TYR, SLC24A4, IRF4, ASIP, and TYRP1 genes and, even though it has fewer markers than the model previously created by Branicki et al, it can reach similar accuracy values (75%–92%) (7).

Skin Color

Skin pigmentation is a complex pigmentation type since skin colors are responses to to the intensity of ultraviolet radiation in different regions of earth. This complexity is making the mapping studies hard for scientists. One of the major problems with skin color phenotyping is that it is not applicable for different populations across the planet. A global prediction model was created taking into account three (light, dark, dark–black) or five (very pale, pale, intermediate, dark, dark–black) skin tones, obtaining prediction accuracies ranging from 83%–97% for the three-category scale to 72%–97% for the five-category scale (7).

Introduction

Toxicology is a field of science that helps people to understand the harmful effects of hazardous chemicals, substances, or other materials, can have on people, animals, and the environment. Toxicology is referred to as, “Science of Safety” because as a field it has evolved from a science focused on studying poisons and adverse effects of chemical exposures, to a science devoted to studying safety.

A number of crimes involve toxins entering the body, such as poisoning, driving under the influence, and using illegal drugs. Detectives and criminal investigators seek help from forensic toxicologists to get the answers they need when they suspect a chemical substance is related to a crime.

Toxicologists study the presence and effects of toxins on living creatures, unusually humans. They may work for environmental organizations, as well as government and law enforcement agencies.

The term forensics means ‘of or having to do with a question of law.’ Forensic toxicologists are simply toxicologists who utilize their knowledge within legal matters.

The ancient Greeks were perhaps the first society to advance what we now recognize as when they studied toxins. The Greeks developed an extensive knowledge of poisons, as well as their effects, their signs, and their symptoms. This new knowledge base led ancient investigators to recognize previously undetectable murders due to poisoning.

Great advances have been made in all scientific disciplines since ancient times, and the ability to detect toxins has evolved significantly. Today, forensic toxicologists play a crucial role in solving crimes and helping to determine the causes of death.

Job Description

Forensic toxicologists are responsible for investigating various substances to help solve crimes or detect unlawful contamination of the environment, food, or water supply. This includes:

Analyzing samples from bodily fluids and tissues to determine the presence or absence of harmful or hazardous chemicals

Gathering and examination specimens for dangerous or unhealthy contaminants in food or the environment

Providing expert testimony in the court of law

Working with medical examiners and coroners to help establish the role of substances related to the cause of death

In the law enforcement sphere, forensic toxicologists might work for criminal justice agencies, police departments, or government labs. They might look for poisons and toxins such as alcohol or drugs. Sometimes, the toxicologist’s conclusions are the primary determinant in deciding whether a crime was committed.

What They Do

Forensic toxicologists typically perform scientific tests on bodily fluids and tissue samples to identify any drugs or chemicals present in the body. Working in a lab, a forensic toxicologist performs tests on samples collected by forensic pathologists or by crime scene investigators during an examination.

Educational Requirements

Forensic toxicologists must complete, at the bare minimum, a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, toxicology, chemistry, clinical chemistry, or a related field. Although many forensic toxicologists seek graduate degrees in the field.

Experience Required

In addition to earning an academic degree, you usually need to complete additional training for certain forensic science careers that require specialized skills. For example, police officers undergo physical conditioning and learn about professional conduct and ethical standards at state-sanctioned academies. Federal law enforcement officers complete rigorous training through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center or a military station.

Regardless of your career goals, you should incorporate apprenticeships and internships into your academic preparation. These hands-on experiences allow students to build skills and cultivate professional relationships. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, over 91% of employers prefer applicants with industry-specific work experience.

Licensure and Certification

Expert licensure and certification are general requirements for any forensic science careers, especially for advanced positions demanding a more technical skillset. Professionals usually pursue a master of forensic science programs to improve their career progression possibilities.

Required Skills

Patience, efficiency, and focus to gather results under pressure. Ability to follow procedures to achieve accurate, and reliable results. Superior written and verbal communication skills, as they may be called upon to provide courtroom testimony.

If you enjoy laboratory work and find analysis appealing, you might enjoy working as a forensic toxicologist. Although the work can be repetitive and redundant at times, it’s also interesting and extremely important.

Salary

The average salary for a forensic toxicologist is about $75,000 annually. But, that could vary depending on location, type of industry, the difficulty level of work projects, and experience in the field.

Salaries for forensic toxicologists can vary widely and depend on one’s work location and employer:

Median Annual Salary: $59,000 ($28.37/hour)

Top 10% Annual Salary: $94,000 ($45.19/hour)

Bottom 10% Annual Salary: $34,000 ($16.35/hour)

Job Duties & Type of Work

Toxicologists work in laboratories to perform tests on samples collected by crime scene investigators. Their jobs involve testing for the presence of illegal drugs, prescription drugs, poisons, alcohol, and other poisons when poisoning or drug overdoses are suspected.

Job Benefits & Job Drawbacks

Although a career in toxicology can be rewarding and pays reasonably well, there are some disadvantages to the job as well. Extended education, twenty-first-century toxicologists need one or more graduate degrees. Risks, working as a toxicologist entails some risk, long hours in a Lab and limited Possibilities for Advancement.

In addition, working out in the field visiting crime scenes may also require extended or unusual hours. Expect to work 40 to 60 hours a week, as you manage a heavy workload under harsh deadlines. Hours need to be flexible, as forensic toxicologists are expected to be on call to collect and analyze evidence.

References

1. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2020, from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/
2. Work. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2020, from https://work.chron.com/
3. AGCAS & Graduate Prospects Ltd, Agcas, & AGCAS & Graduate Prospects Ltd. (n.d.). Toxicologist. Retrieved January 20, 2020, from https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/toxicologist
4. Salary Comparison, Salary Survey, Search Wages. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2020, from https://www.payscale.com/Salary Comparison, Salary Survey, Search Wages. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2020, from https://www.payscale.com/
5. Wood, C. S., Weis, C. P., Caro, C. M., & Roe, A. (2016, September 16). A practice analysis of toxicology. Retrieved January 20, 2020, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273230016302653#fig1
6. Writers, S. (2019, August 8). Find the Best Online College or University for You!: BestColleges. Retrieved January 20, 2020, from https://www.bestcolleges.com/
7. Writers, S. (2018, October 18). 2018-2019 Bachelors in Forensic Science Programs Guide. Retrieved January 20, 2020, from https://www.bestcolleges.com/features/forensic-science-degree-programs/
8. Hexavalent Chromium Factsheet – National Institute of … (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2020, from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/materials/hexavalent_chromium_508.pdf
9. Roufa, T. (2019, May 14). What Kind of Jobs Can You Get in Criminal Justice and Criminology? Retrieved January 20, 2020, from https://www.thebalancecareers.com/criminal-justice-and-criminology-careers-974797
10. Career Readiness Resources. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2020, from https://www.naceweb.org/
11. Writers, S. (2019, April 23). The Best Online Masters in Forensic Science Programs of 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020, from https://www.bestcolleges.com/features/top-online-masters-in-forensic-science-programs/
12. Career Readiness Resources. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2020, from https://www.naceweb.org/

Introduction

Forensic Science is the study of civil and criminal law, which can be broken down into many categories. Forensic Odontology is specifically important because teeth are composed of enamel, one of the hardest biological substances in the human body, they are very well protected by soft tissues in the body, for example, the tongue (PMC 2018). Teeth can also survive immersion, decomposition and direct heat in excess of 1000 degrees Fahrenheit (PMC 2018). Forensic Odontology is used to solve many cases and help identify the victims of many crimes, including the “Charred Remains” case of arson.

On July 6, 1991, in Vancouver, British Columbia the body of 30-year-old Mary Lynn Breeden was discovered in a garbage bin, burning hours away from turning into ashes in a gasoline fire. She had been last seen at an after-hours night club, the night before being discovered (Dawn). Mary Lynn Breeden was found eventually, by a working janitor, as a small charred figure. Investigators had to get creative because most DNA that could have been useful in identification or linking the crime to a suspect was lost in the extreme heat of the fire. The case of Mary Lynn Breeden was the first-time tooth pulp had been used to convict a suspect. Along with Forensic Odontology, the Forensic Image Analyst team would assist in the conviction of 25-year-old suspect Chris Cruz (student and model) to the grizzly crime (“Charred Remains”).

Methods, Solutions and Scientific Concepts

Upon further investigation to determine the cause of death, evidence found included .22 caliber hollow point bullets in the brain that caused multiple fractures to the face and skull (“Charred Remains”). Pathologist Dr. Laurel Gray was able to determine that Mary Lynn Breeden had been shot in the head before death and therefore, died as a result of gunshot wounds (Still). Extensive amounts of blood were found when a close analysis was done indicating that Mary Lynn had been alive when shot due to quantities of blood located in the brain. Breeden’s body was identified by dental records. After close examination of the charred body, and its remaining teeth, dental records for Mary Lynn were compared to the sample. Both had a rare condition called Mesiodens, as discovered by Dr. Larry Cheevers who is a Forensic Odontologist working the case (“Charred Remains”). Mesiodens is a rare condition where an extra tooth exists in the gums, for Mary Lynn’s case it was the top two front teeth (“Charred Remains”). In Cruz’s car, bloodstains were discovered, but with limited DNA from Lynn Breeden’s body, Dr. David Sweet was keen on using the tooth pulp extracted from remaining teeth, as a reference sample to attempt to associate Chris Cruz to the murder (“Charred Remains”). Immediately after Lynn Breeden’s death, a woman identified later as Tonya Forrester attempted to clear out Mary Lynn Breeden’s bank account but was denied by the bank when asked for identification (Dawn). Upon closer investigation of the CCTV from the bank, the Forensic Image Analyst team noticed a glare in the window, a person, later identified to be Chris Cruz through the processing of the photo to remove glare (“Charred Remains”).

Evaluation of Methods

The case of Mary Lynn Breeden was incredibly accurate in the identification of DNA and connecting the suspect, Chris Cruz to the murder. Firstly, hair was not a viable source of DNA due to the temperature at which the body burned. Hair would have been very useful, because hair would have linked the remains to a victim along with her past use of cocaine, “hair is nourished by blood flowing through capillaries located close to the hair root. Drugs present in blood diffuse through the capillary walls into the base of the hair and become permanently entrapped in the hair’s hardening protein structure. As the hair continues to grow, the drug’s location on the hair becomes a historical marker for delineating drug intake” (Saferstein 2020). Furthermore, the skull being studied by pathologist Dr. Gray showed evidence of a .22 caliber weapon being used (Still). This generated an idea of the cause of death and a possible suspect. The skull could have also been useful for Forensic Anthropologists to study and determine the sex of the victim and descent. In this case, the skull would have been discovered to be of Caucasian descent after studying the eye orbits, frontal plate, and nasal cavity. Blood eventually became valuable not because it was found on the victim, but a potential suspect had the remaining piece of this forensic puzzle. Investigators became weary of Chris Cruz, and the blood discovered in and on his car, as they needed to find a way to associate him with the crime. Forensic Odontology was used, and tooth pulp was extracted as a sample along with the evidence of blood (jacket covered in blood with playboy bunny necklace in pocket) found in Cruz’s car (Ogilvie). Thin Layer Chromatography showed a clear result of the tooth pulp matching the DNA in the car. The Rf values had lined up with the tooth pulp extracted and a sample of blood found in the car, leading to a match being made. The main limitation in the “Charred Remains” case was the lack of DNA left behind, but investigators were able to work past this.

Societal Impacts and Legal Ramifications

The case of Mary Lynn Breeden is drug influenced as both her and Chris Cruz were heavily involved in the drug scene, specifically cocaine. Crown Counsel Richard Cairns explained that this was a murder for money (Ogilvie). Cruz’s goal was to clear Mary Lynn’s account of the $4,500 she had, making it a planned and deliberate crime, ‘“He was ready to kill Mary-Lynn Breeden when she fell into his grasp”’(Ogilvie). The use of cocaine is considered highly taboo and the gateway to not only other drugs but the possibility to commit a crime. Some long-term effects of cocaine use as described by Health Canada include erratic or violent behaviour, cocaine is considered a highly addictive and dangerous narcotic (Canada 2018). If cocaine had not been in the systems of both Mary Lynn Breeden and Chris Cruz, this crime would have been extremely unlikely to occur. In court, the jury recommended that Chris Cruz would serve 18 years before being eligible for parole. Crown Counsel Richard Cairns explained, ‘“In the car, he had all the instruments necessary … He had the tire iron, the .22 gun, the gasoline container and bolt cutters, and he knew the location of the dumpster . . . was that just a fluke?”’(Ogilvie). Finally, Chris Cruz was sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for 18 years, convicted on first- degree murder (Newswire).

Conclusion

After close analysis of the case regarding Mary Lynn Breeden, it can be determined that her murder was drug-fueled and could have been easily avoided. This case leaves a historical marker in Forensic Science as tooth pulp was extracted and used for the very first time. It is applaudable that with such little DNA and lack of storyline that the team involved, was able to come to a conclusion and serve Chris Cruz his sentence.

Bibliography

1. PMC, Europe. “Dental Color Measurement to Predict DNA Concentration in Incinerated Teeth for Human Identification.” Europe PMC, 25 Apr. 2018, europepmc.org/article/MED/29698524.
2. ‘Bank Photo of Woman Gives Police New Lead in Slaying of Pub Waitress: [4* Edition].’ The Vancouver Sun, Jul 16, 1991, pp. B10. ProQuest, http://ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/docview/243426661?accountid=15182.
3. Hanna, Dawn. ‘Woman Tried to Clear Out Account of Murder Victim; Woman Attempted to Clear Out Account of Dumpster Victim (5*): [4* Edition].’ The Vancouver Sun, Jul 15, 1991, pp. B1. ProQuest, http://ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/docview/243427868?accountid=15182.
4. Still, Larry. ‘Woman Died from Gunshot Wounds, Pathologist Says: [FINAL Edition].’The Vancouver Sun, Nov 08, 1993, pp. B2. ProQuest, http://ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/docview/243239454?accountid=15182.
5. Newswire. ‘Life in Prison for Vancouver Man Who Killed Woman, Burned Body -.’Times – Colonist, Nov 20, 1993, pp. 1. ProQuest, http://ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/docview/345494724?accountid=15182.
6. Ogilvie, Clare. ‘`Murder for Money’: [Final Edition].’ The Province, Nov 03, 1993, pp. A10. ProQuest, http://ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/docview/267489249?accountid=15182.
7. Ogilvie, Clare. ‘`Shark, Predator’ Convicted of Murder: [Final C Edition].’ The Province, Nov 12, 1993, pp. A12. ProQuest, http://ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/docview/267482591?accountid=15182.
8. “Charred Remains.” Medstar Television, 1997.
9. Saferstein, Richard. Criminalistics: an Introduction to Forensic Science. Pearson, 2020.
10. Canada, Health. “Government of Canada.” Canada.ca, Government of Canada, 30 Nov. 2018, www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/controlled-illegal-drugs/cocaine-crack.html.