The word Forensic refers to ‘Law’. In Latin word Forensic means ‘Forum’. It is the science and application of sciences that matters in the court of law. Forensic Science means using science in solving legal cases or criminal acts.
The Forensic Scientist helps to solve the crimes through the analysis of physical pieces of evidence found at a crime scene. The pieces of evidence found at the victim’s body and the culprit’s body. Then both the pieces of evidence are compared to find the relation between the victim and culprit. This helps in solving the case.
Forensic scientists are also often called on to give opinions in cases in front of the court of law. The scientists specialize in a variety of scientific fields including mathematics, chemistry, biology, and physics. These scientists also specialize in specific areas of forensics. A forensic scientist who analyzes bloodstains for example will not necessarily have the skills required to analyze fingerprints or handwriting or to perform an autopsy.
There are three distinct branches of forensic science:
- Field science,
- Laboratory science, and
- Medical science.
Field scientists are involved in crime scene investigation their job includes collecting possible evidence, preventing the contamination of a crime scene, preventing the contamination of any evidence taken from the scene, and providing an initial interpretation of theoretical reconstruction of a crime.
It helps in assisting the detectives and investigators in the various stations with regards to fingerprinting evidence, collection of DNA photographing, crime scenes photographing, victims, taking statements from victims, taking statements from people, who can assist us at all laboratory.
Scientists specialize in areas of biology, chemistry, or physics. Their jobs will include the analysis of physical evidence such as bloodstains and footprints, document analysis such as handwriting, recognition DNA profiling, and ballistics that is.
The projectile motion of objects such as bullets or bomb fragments, we don’t do any fieldwork as such and so you don’t see is pursuing criminals but our work does contribute to providing a picture for the coroner’s or for the pathologist to determine how the person died and we’re just a small part.
You know in a large team that looks at determining their medical forensic science is an area that involves medical procedures such as autopsies. The examination of bodies after death, analysis of blood samples from a victim or suspect as well as dentistry psychiatry, and psychology well pathology is the medical discipline that deals with the diagnosis of disease.
Forensic pathology is the application of that discipline to the needs of the courts and the justice system so a large part of work is performing autopsies and trying to come to a conclusion about the cause of death and also interpreting injuries.
Forensic science is most often associated with criminal investigations. In the real world, forensic scientists also work within the civil justice system. An example is handwriting examinations performed to determine the validity of a signature. Food manufacturers often use forensic techniques to determine the cause of contamination.
In food products or product failures, environmental authorities may also employ forensic scientists to determine the cause of environmental problems such as oil spills.
Branches of Forensic Science
Forensic science is the study of crime, finding the link between culprit and victims to solve the case and represent in front of the court of law. Forensic Science has various branches to deal with it they are as follows-
- Forensic Biology
- Forensic Chemistry
- Forensic Anthropology
- Forensic Odontologist
- Forensic Pathologist
- Questioned Documents
- Forensic Ballistics
- Forensic Toxicologist
- Forensic Podiatry
- Forensic Linguistics
- Forensic Geology
- Forensic Entomology
- Forensic Engineering
- Forensic DNA Analysis
- Forensic Botany
- Forensic Archeology
- Digital Forensic
- Criminalistics
- Forensic Psychologist
- Forensic Sculpting