Different Types Of Forensic Science
The term “forensic” is come from the Latin word “forēnsis,” which means
“the forum”. In Roman times, the forum was the sites of debates to discussed
government issues; it was also a trial court.
Forensic science embraces all branches of scientific disciplines, including
biology, physics and chemistry and applies them to the purpose of law.
It is the essential link that helps to establish link between crime and criminal.
This involves collecting, analyzing, and presenting evidence in order to solve a
crime or successfully convict the offender.
Forensic science is a scientific discipline which helps to recognize, identify,
individualization and evaluation of physical evidence by using principles and
methods of basic/natural science for purpose of administration of criminal
justice system. The word criminalistics is also used
in reference to forensic science.
The traditional disciplines in forensic science include-
1) Toxicology - Toxicology is the study of adverse effects of chemicals
(ex: drugs, alcohol) on the human body, animals and the overall
environment.
2) Biological applications - Its include
I) Serology - The study
of the body fluids. [Medical blood test, Used to type blood (A, B, AB, O etc.)
II) DNA analysis - The biological evidence used for DNA profiling are blood, saliva,
hair, skin, urine, semen and even body remains in burn cases. DNA in human body
is a biological parameter which is unique to every individual. In criminal investigations
it is a commonly used forensic technique.
3) Questioned document examination – It is the branch of forensic science which
focuses on examination of documents, handwriting comparison, study of inks,
typewriter imprints, counterfeiting etc.
4) Chemistry – This branch is used for Identifying compounds, used its application
to law enforcement and used analytical side of chemistry to analyze evidence found at crime scenes.
5) Ballistics - It involves the analysis of any evidence related to firearms
(bullets, bullet marks, gunpowder residue, shell casings etc.) or the motion,
behavior, and effects of projectiles, bombs, rockets, or the like. It is used in
the investigation of crime involving the use of a firearm, to draw inferences
on the exact weapon used, the total distance covered by bullet, velocity, and angle of firing.
6) Latent Print Examination (Fingerprints)
7) Trace evidence – These are the evidence that is found at a crime scene
in small but measurable amounts such as human/animal hair, rope, soil,
fabric fibers, feathers, building materials etc.
8) Pathology - Forensic pathology is the study of the examination of a corpse to
determine the cause of death especially when it is suspected that the death was
not due to natural causes.
9) Odontology - Forensic odontology is the study of bite marks and dental remains
that would be later used as legal evidence in the court of law. Odontology plays
an important part in crime scene investigation and
natural disaster response and recovery.
10) Anthropology - Forensic anthropologists examine the human bodies/skeletons
to identify the individuals and arrive at the cause/manner of death. Cultural
anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, and physical (biological) anthropology
are the sub-disciplines of anthropology.
The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) organizes
the forensic sciences into 11 sections -
Criminalistics
Engineering Sciences
General
Jurisprudence
Digital and Multimedia Sciences
Pathology/Biology
Odontology
Physical Anthropology
Psychiatric and Behavioral Science
Toxicology
Questioned documents
Criminalistics is defined as the application of scientific
methods to recognize, collect, identify, and comparison of physical evidence
from the crime scene and to link individuals, objects, and place through that
evidence. Criminalists are specialize in
specific areas of physical evidence,
Some areas are -
Firearms
(forensic ballistics)
Tool marks.
Controlled
substances
Trace
evidence.
DNA
Fire and explosion debris
2) Engineering and Applied Sciences -
The group of forensic professionals, problem-solvers with a
background in one of the many sub-disciplines of engineering, physics or
chemistry. These experts are called upon in both civil and criminal cases to
investigate things like -
Automobile
collisions
Building
collapses
Product failures
Train
derailments
Explosions
Environmental
contamination
In general category the AAFS recognized specialties in
forensic lab investigation, clinical work, field investigation and education
and research which do not fit into other larger disciplines. These include a
range of focus like –
Radiology
Accounting
Veterinary
services
Consulting
Nursing
Art and
sculpting
Veterinary
services
Management
and administration
“Jurisprudence”
is considered as the philosophy of law. Those practicing this discipline of
forensic science might also be licensed to practice law. Lawyers with knowledge
of forensic science can work for court
systems, law firms, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and even serve
as private consultants. They are sometimes referred to as “forensic attorneys,”
and these legal professionals are also trained in crime scene investigation.
The field of forensics is continuously growing as technology
is changing day by day and the area of digital and multimedia sciences is one
of those ever-changing areas.
Forensic professionals in this discipline examine software
applications, hardware tools and digital files (audio, text, image, video,
etc.) to find and analyze evidences. Digital forensic scientist’s duties are -
They are
analyzing acoustics of a recording
Determining
if a digital image has been altered or not
They find
out what devices connected to a system.
Determining
that if any file have been deleted from a drive or device
Finding a
victim or suspect based on data.
Locating a
remote system or user
Forensic biology experts study organisms or cells of
organisms that related to a crime. This area includes entomology (insects),
ecology, botany (plants), genetics, and microbiology. These specialties help in
a death investigation as
Plant
scientist identifying stomach contents or find hidden graves
Veterinarian
assisting in cases of animal welfare
Entomologist
helping to determine a timeline of insects on body
Geneticist
confirmed the identity of an organism.
Psychologists,
Psychiatrists and other behavioral science experts are contributed in the field
of forensics science through assessing individuals or providing testimony in
criminal as well as in civil cases. They also contributed in the area of
psychological crime scene reconstruction and psychological profiling of
criminals.
The role of
a behavioral forensic scientist is in understanding the Human Nature by
interviewing and interrogating suspects and witnesses to crime is very
important.
11) Questioned document examination – It is the branch of forensic science which focuses on examination of documents, handwriting comparison, study of inks, typewriter imprints, counterfeiting etc.
1) Computational Forensics – Computer forensics, also known as digital forensics or cyber forensics, is the application of investigation of digital data gathered and analysis techniques to gather and preserve evidence from a particular computing device as evidence in criminal cases. Computer forensic investigations recover data from computers and its hard drives to find evidence of misconduct and to solve a crime.
2) Forensic Entomology- Forensic Entomology is the study of the biology of insects and other arthropods such as arachnids, millipedes, centipedes, and crustaceans found at a crime scene to solve criminal cases. Forensic entomology is primarily used for death investigations, find location of an incident, postmortem interval, involvement of drugs or poisons and to determine the time of the infliction of wounds. . Investigators also analyze other factors such as location, temperature, humidity, moisture, geography of the crime scene to determine the time of death.
3) Forensic Astronomy - Forensic astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects, to determine the appearance of the sky at specific times in the past. Mostly it is used to resolve notably issues in art history and other historical problems.
4)Forensic Geology - Forensic Geology or Geo-forensics is the study of evidence relating to minerals, oil, petroleum, soil, rocks and the like materials found in the Earth, used to answer questions raised by the legal system. Forensic geologists combine technology, methods, and personal experience to solve issues involving surface water, groundwater, soil and anything beneath the Earth’s surface.
5) Forensic Seismology - Various methods of seismology are used
to examine and detect underground explosions, especially nuclear explosions. This
science also detects other underground events such as the movement/collision of
icebergs, explosion within submarines, or massive ocean waves.
6) Bloodstain Pattern Analysis - The scientific examination of
the shapes and distribution of patterns of bloodstains found at a crime scene
to reconstruct the events of the crime. Analysts look for the distance from the
blood source to the target and the nature of the force that caused the
bloodshed. They also look for direction of travel and impact angles and the
object(s) that caused the bloodshed.
7) Digital Forensics - Digital forensics is a science
encompassing the recovery and investigative techniques to gather stored data in
digital devices, often in relation to computer crime. Its several sub-fields
based on the type of digital equipment involved are computer forensics, network
forensics, mobile device forensics, forensic data analysis. Digital Forensics
is mostly used in the investigation of cybercrimes. It is associated with
criminal law where the digital evidence recovered is used to counter or support
a hypothesis in the law of court.
8) Forensic Art – It is the presentation of visual information
and these sketches are used to identify, apprehend, and conviction of a wanted
person, make a substantial impact on civil or criminal cases.
Forensic artists work with law enforcement and used art
authentication methods are to detect and identify faking, forgery and copying
of art works, e.g. paintings.
9) Election Forensics – Election forensic utilizes various
quantitative methodologies to verify or determine if election results are
statistically normal.
10) Forensic Accounting / Auditing - Forensic accounting
investigation is also known as financial investigation aids the victims of
fraud or financial crimes. This kind of analysis provides evidence to attorneys
by using intelligence-gathering techniques, accounting, business, and
communication skills in criminal and civil investigations.
11) Forensic Graphology - The study of handwriting on ransom notes, suicide notes, poison pen letters and blackmail demands. The size of writing, the weight of the hand and Slant position of words, all these reflect information about the writer. Forensic graphologists verify the validity of documents such as insurance claim.
12) Forensic Psychology - Forensic Psychology is the application
of psychological theory and practice to the criminal, court and corrections
systems. Psychologists draw conclusions about the personality traits of the
person/criminal and help in criminal profiling.
13) Forensic Archaeology - Forensic archaeology deals with human remains that are severely decomposed. Forensic archaeologist are adept at using a range of techniques, including carbon dating to determine the age of items retrieved during an excavation and to assist the police and investigating officers to identify the site.
14) Forensic Podiatry - Forensic Podiatry is a sub-discipline of
forensic science which deals with the application of specific podiatric
knowledge i.e. an understanding of the abnormalities and diseases of the foot,
ankle, lower body, lower limb anatomy, and musculoskeletal function to examine
foot-related evidence in legal situations. It is particularly helpful in the
investigation of feet footprint or footwear and their traces to analyze crime
scene.
15) Forensic Linguistics - Forensic Linguistics involves the application of linguistic knowledge and methods and insights to the forensic context of law, language, trial, crime investigation and judicial procedure. They examination the forensic texts such as emergency calls, suicide notes, demands of ransom, social media and death row statements
16) Forensic Botany - Forensic botany is the study and examination
of plants their seeds, leaves, flowers, spores, wood, fruits, cell life in
order to gain information for criminal and non-criminal investigations and for
answering other legal questions.
17) Forensic Nursing - Forensic nursing is the application of
nursing sciences; it acts as a bridge between the criminal justice system and
the medical profession. Forensic nurses are involved in crime scene to assist
in investigations involving the victims or perpetrators of sexual abuse, child
abuse, domestic assault, or other types of trauma. They collect blood and hair
samples, DNA, and other evidence.
18) Forensic Optometry – It is the study of glasses and other
eyewear relating to scene of crime and criminal investigations.
19) Wildlife forensic science –It applies to legal cases
involving non-human biological evidence, to solve crimes such as animal abuse,
poaching and trade in endangered species.
20) Forensic geology – It deals with trace evidence in the form
of soils, minerals and petroleum.
21) Forensic dactyloscopy- Study of fingerprints.
22) Forensic microbiology – It is the study of the necrobiome.
23) Forensic meteorology – Study (scientifically) of past
weather conditions for a certain time and location.
24) Forensic limnology – The analysis of evidence collected from
scene of crime in or around fresh-water sources. Examination of biological
organisms can be useful in connecting suspects with victims.
25) Forensic geophysics – The use of geophysical techniques such
as radar for detecting objects hidden underwater or underground.
Students have so many sub-disciplines to choose in the field
of forensic science and it offers a limitless number of career paths.
MR. DEEPAK PAWAR has been working as Finger Print Expert / Police Officer in Finger Print Bureau , Delhi Police at New Delhi since 2001 . He is the senior most Finger Print Expert , attending / visited several scene of crime and solved many crime cases .He has passed M.Sc (Chemistry) and he is the Member of International Association of Identification . He is the Member of Delhi Police welfare association . He is supervising the Forensic , New Delhi District , Mobile Crime Team . He is one of the Expert in the Special Investigation Team held for investigation of important cases . He has been giving fingerprint proficient training to Delhi Police personnel's . He has been Presented / giving lectures on topics related to forensic science . He is also making examination paper of Finger Print proficient course . He is awarded with Police Medal by MHA and Delhi Police.