Forensic evidence used to Identify Suspects

Forensic evidence used to Identify Suspects

 Forensic Evidence Used to Identify Suspects



Forensic Evidence and Law



February 23,2015












Forensic Evidence Used to Identify Suspects
Since the beginning of the first forensic evidence laboratories, there have been many misconceptions about what forensic science can actually produce in accurately identifying evidence to solve a crime. Solving a crime may still takes years even with modern technologies. Law enforcement officials use the many techniques when identifying evidence at a crime scene. They use techniques as observation, deduction, witnesses, interviews and interrogations along with forensic science evidence in solving crimes. There are many strengths and weaknesses involved in techniques used to identity a suspect but with training and experience, the combination of the human factor and science, cases are solved.
The father of the crime lab, Edmond Locard wrote the “The Locard Exchange Principle”. His famous statement was “Every Contact Leaves a Trace” relates the fact that at a crime there are particles left at the crime that can connect a criminal to the scene. Using this theory, the development of techniques has evolved. Crime laboratories play a major role today in criminal investigations. The well-equipped laboratories have specialized laboratory equipment used to identify evidence from trace elements such as hair, fibers and other instruments to identify paint samples, tire tracks, and DNA. DNA and fingerprinting have become success stories in identifying suspects. DNA give the criminal justice system positive determinations of the identity of a suspect which is unique to each individual except twins. Fingerprinting gives the criminal justice system a suspect but will also give information on the number and types of arrest if the individual is in the automated fingerprint identification system.
Identifying individuals that have committed a crime is just one area for the use of DNA and...

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