Rebecca Walker
Forensic Toxicology
CRJ 311
Dawn George
4/22/2013
History Forensic science is defined as the application of science to the law. There are different types of forensic science, and each plays an integral part in the criminal justice system. Forensic biology usually involved DNA testing and its results. Forensic anthropologists examine human remains that have become skeletons in an attempt to determine how long the remains have been in a location and to try to determine a possible cause of death. Forensic toxicology falls into the category of forensic chemistry. Forensic toxicologists study toxins, drugs, poisons, alcohol, and other things found in the blood or tissues of crime victims or perpetrators. Forensic
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Landsteiner was the first scientist to suggest that these blood types could someday be used to identify the father of a child (Jewish Virtual Library, 2012). Landsteiner received the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the blood types. In 1914, the first mass spectrometer was built by J.J. Thomson (Crime ZZZ, 2012). This machine, once perfected, would become one of the main ways modern toxicologists identify poisons. Frank Lundquist, a scientist from Denmark, developed the acid phosphatase test to identify areas where semen may be present. This test reacts to enzymes present in semen (Crime ZZZ, 2012). It is clear that scientists in the early 20th century realized that toxicology and blood fluids could be used to identify or rule out suspects. However, no methods had been developed yet to utilize these results in an effective and widespread way. All of that would change rapidly in the second half of the 20th century. In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick identified the structure of DNA (Crime ZZZ, 2012). Of course, this would benefit science and police in ways that these two men likely could not fathom at the time. In 1954, R.F. Borkstein invented the first Breathalyzer test to be used in the field to test suspects suspected of driving under the influence (Crime ZZZ, 2012). Borkstein, interestingly, was not a scientist, but rather a police captain who was frustrated with not
Forensic science is defined as the practice of utilizing scientific methodologies to clarify judicial inquiries. The field of forensic science contains a broad range of disciplines and has become a vital aspect of criminal investigations. Some forensic disciplines are laboratory-based; while others are based on an analyst’s interpretation of observable patterns (Kourtsounis, 2009). According to the Innocence project’s website; in greater than fifty percent of wrongful convictions, the use of invalidated or improper forensic techniques played a role in cases; which were later
Forensic Science is the process of finding evidence or material connected to the crime. When a crime is committed, police officers take over and secure the scene so if needed, special investigators can search the area to collect and transport evidence to the crime lab. In addition, forensic scientists work in laboratories, courtrooms, etc. But forensic scientists do not carry a weapon or have the authority to arrest someone, even if proven guilty. They research evidence connected to a crime scene to figure out and uncover who committed the crime. It is often used in cases like airplane crashes, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, crimes committed during the war and cause of sudden death (Funkhouser). Forensic science can
There are many scientists that have contributed to forensic science and one of them is Dr Edmond Locard born in Lyon, France on 13 December 1877 and passed on 4 April 1966. At Lyon, France Dr. Locard took up studies in law and medicine and received his degree in 1902. While doing his studies he also became the assistant of a criminologist by the name of Alexandre Lacassagne who was also at the time a professor. Locard did that until 1910 when he eventually began establishment of his criminal laboratory. Then Locard became the founder and director of the Institute of Criminalistics at the University of Lyons in France after persuading the Police Department of Lyon to provide him with the necessary people and space to establish what later would
Forensic science is the use of scientific knowledge and technology to help solve criminal investigations, and provide evidence that is used in a trial. Any person who helps a lawyer or any kind of law enforcement by testing physical evidence is known as a forensic scientist (Frith 4). Forensic scientist can also be known as forensic science technicians, crime lab analyst, or other titles that may reflect a specific area (Echaore-McDavid and McDavid 28). People who are forensic scientists deal with gruesome scenes on a daily basis, and are at a higher risk of depression than most. Most people in this field love the thrill of solving crimes and catching criminals.
A segment of the Forensic Science in the Criminal equity organization that the vast majority acquainted with these days, however, few individuals know how this particular science came to be. Overall, legal science is intended to utilize experimental standards to clarify obscure parts of a wrongdoing. Through the utilization of uncommon tests and lab gear that permits researchers to recognize decisively different parts of a bit of confirmation in an illegal behavior. On the off chance that you occupied with finding out about how this procedure came to fruition, you have to peruse the recorded data underneath. Here is a brief history
DNA fingerprinting was discovered by Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys from the University of Leicster. After spending time studying molecular biology in Amsterdam with Dick Flavell, Jeffreys moved to the university and set out to “marry the new
DNA was only gaining momentum in 1980, when Sir Alec Jeffreys discovered something that would change our world, DNA Profiling. DNA profiling is the use or extraction of human cells to be profiled. Whether they are fresh or dried-out, the cells can be tested. (Suzanne Elvidge, “Forensic Cases: Colin Pitchfork, First Exoneration Through DNA”) Sir Jeffreys first started the process of discovering genomics ability to advance our society by applying this to different types of DNA. By doing so, Jeffreys discovered that there are billions of variations in DNA sequences. In fact, the human body has 10 million different sites at which one person’s DNA sequence can vary from another’s. (University of Leicester, “The Science Behind Genetic Fingerprinting”) Jeffreys’ discovery then allowed for DNA profiling to be used in the United Kingdom, where Sir Jeffreys conducted his research. With the research and testing performed in Europe, DNA profiling was now applicable in the United States. Detectives such as Joe Horgas took advantage of this
Forensic and DNA casework has been a major player in catching these cold blooded killers. Since most investigators have to work from clues, they rely on these sources to lead them in the right direction. Many findings such as, blood, weapons, hair, or any source of DNA can help put the puzzle pieces of these cases together. This has solved many cases, and is a strong piece of evidence in the judicial system.
The work of these four people led to a complete restructuring of the beliefs of the scientific community regarding genetic information. Their initial word led to further work which encompassed their hypothesis of how DNA replicates itself. From this work came the modern technologies of DNA fingerprinting and sequencing.
After doing their job in he crime scene, the evidence they took will be taken to the forensic scientist. Crime scene investigators will look at the photographs and connect their theories based on the crime that occurred. The forensic scientists will also examine the victim’s clothes, while the medical examiner will analyze the victim’s body for more clues and evidence that they may find and they will all be doing this in the crime lab. The things they may find could be hair, fiber, semen, blood, another person’s DNA, bruises and many more. After the forensic scientists
Forensics is the use of scientific tests conducted on evidence that is used to aid a criminal investigation. Forensics is so important because without it either the wrong person could go to prison or the police could not arrest anyone, leaving the criminal to remain at large. Forensics allows insight into multiple factors that help catch the criminal behind the crime. Factors like DNA and fingerprinting are the very first piece of evidence to be looked at in an investigation to catch the killer. If the forensic scientists mix something up or misses what they are trained to look for, then they can do a lot of harm to a case. Forensics provides that very important physical evidence that will help the police catch the killer and bring that needed closer for the loved ones of the victim.
DNA or the fingerprint was discovered in 1984 by Alec Jeffreys. One of the good thing about DNA is that it can lead the investigators to the right suspect for the crime. The DNA proves who the suspect with fingerprints
Forensic science is a broad term that refers to the use of science or technology in a court room environment. Forensic science plays an important role in modern popular culture; the police procedural is highly dependent upon cutting-edge forensic science. Moreover, many people are aware of the impact of DNA testing on the modern criminal justice landscape. However, forensic science actually predates many modern scientific advances; almost as long as there have been controversies, there has been some type of forensic science.
While DNA profiling is still considered to be fairly new , the analysis of the human genetic variation began more than a century ago with the discovery of the human ABO blood group. Karl Landsteiner realized that these variations in humans could be used to solve crimes. ABO could be used to exclude suspects, but police needed something that could definitively point the finger at a suspect. In 1984, Alec Jeffreys discovered hypervariable loci, also known as minisatellites. He discovered that the
Forensic science borrows from a number of sciences which include: physics, Biology and chemistry. It therefore involves examination of a wide spectrum as compared to any other method of investigation. Due to the wide spectrum of investigation and evidence analysis the method offers; it ensures that the results are accurate and can be used in the court of law to make a decision. The method establishes the existence of a crime, the connection between the crimes and the