Forensic Science - Accuracy and Inaccuracy, Sometimes!

Criminal scene investigation has always had its pattern, a few things changes, though, it reminds static, true. The forensic science changed the modern methods of investigation, which became more dynamic and thorough. It is not a piece of cake to solve a murder case; or any criminal case in particular. One must be aware of that; there are issues which must be taken into consideration such as increasing judicial reviews of science and technology in the courtroom and the specter of terrorism and reasons of mass destruction with which first respondents forensic scientists and medical examiners will handle with.

Every criminal case investigation requires professional form and many disciplines to work cooperatively to achieve a common goal – case solving. The science technology becomes a critical element. Its whole potential must be used to comprehend the complexity of the crime and help to save lives. The police investigators are responsible for identifying witnesses, suspects and victims of a crime. Their task is to clear innocent people from suspicion, ultimately bring wrongdoings to justice. It clears the potential danger of committing a crime again and prohibits another innocent group of people to become a victim. Just for a brief moment, sometimes.

The proper use of science and technology help the police in their daily work. The techniques taken into account are discussion on professional ethics, expert witness testimony, health and safety issues at the crime scene, forensic DNA testing, forensic databases, forensic science to solve a terrorist acts.

The use of forensic science depends on the various factors and crime scene; the forensic practitioners must be acknowledged and familiar with; forensic experts must be familiar with the work of the police investigators, prosecutors are obliged to know the scientific and technological issues of the case. The quality both the police and forensic experts provide must be of a high quality, reliable and timely.

The value of forensic science applied to the criminal justice system is immerse and crucial; it is based on quantitative information which can be developed to show that even the smallest token in forensic results represents significant value to overall police work. The law governs and protects the development of the crime investigation. Case Law and Federal Rules of Evidence are being used to protect defense attorneys in a criminal cases in an attempt to alter the reliability of ''pattern evidence'' which are fingerprints, hand-writing, footwear, bite marks. Courts are allowing these challenges because of changes in their views of science.

None of the crimes would have been quickly solved if it hasn't been for the public forensic science institutions which provide adequate resources to assist crime labs and medical examiners offices. Time and effects effectively try to fight the crimes of all sorts, by implementing new techniques and means, it became to be accurate – a national forensic science commission developed well-organised public policy. The expert witness in the courtroom gives the whole case an underpinning. It mustn't be underestimated or ignored. Verbal communication skills, technical expertise, create a successful expert witness.

An ethical conduct is a very important one, One once said ''There is no way to make a wrong thing right!''. Dishonorable conduct happens, unfortunately on and on and it includes planting evidence at a crime scene to point to a defendant, collecting evidence without a warrant, falsifying laboratory examinations to enhance the prosecution's case, ignoring evidence at the crime scene, reporting on forensic tests, not actually done to misguide and deceive, or reporting such tests are unnecessary, fabricating forensic opinions based on invalid interpretations, examining physical evidence when not qualified to do so, using unapproved methodologies, failing to inform others; superiors, colleagues etc.

Wrongdoings are categorized accordingly to the case and manner, some of them are criminal in nature so-called felonies that could result in prison terms. Others stand for negligence, unethical conduct. The consequences of the conduct are considerable. Mistakes and wrong-judging are inevitable, as humans, we are subjects to mistakes.

Every scientific expertise must be certified by particular authorities, the good examples are fingerprint investigation and crime scene investigation. Nonetheless it is important to look at other bodies such as questioned documents, toxicology, dentistry, pathology, anthropology and psychiatry. Certification of forensic scientists focuses on quality, credibility, a degree of peer standardization and customer confidence. Proficiency testing need not to double blind; it can be blind, declared, reanalysis, inter-laboratory, ''round robin''. Unfortunately some of them are ignored until horrid revelation bring them notice.

Failure to provide an adequate outlook of a crime enhances inconsistency and unnecessary gaps at the very onset of the investigation. For that reason the quality and timely work have a price tag and consequences.

Bibliography:

1. Criminal Investigations – Crime Scene Investigation. 2000
2. Forensic Science. 2006
3. Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation. 2012.
   Acknowledgments
4. https://www.politie.nl/mijn-buurt/politiebureaus/05/burgwallen.html and a Chief Inspector – Mr. Erik Akerboom                                          ©