Forensic science [2-4] is an area that deals with the application of scientific knowledge to legal situations. As such, it provides a great deal of truth to many legal proceeding. The forensic sciences – forensic chemistry [5-8], forensic biology [9,10], forensic anthropology [11], forensic medicine [12], forensic materials science [13,14], forensic engineering [15], computational forensics [16], among others – are broadly used to resolve civil disputes, to justify and enforce criminal laws and government regulations, and to protect public health. It should be kept in mind, however, that forensic analysis is strongly controlled by the legal constraints which affect both the work implementation and the results. (REF JH INTRO) Forensic science
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Traditional examples of forensic science applications include fingerprints analysis [19] and DNA typing [20], both aiming at the identification of crime victims or suspects/persons-of-interest. However, forensic science methods are beginning to far exceed such applications and often include various analytical methods, such as spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques, have seen tremendous developments. Modern developments are based on multi-disciplinary approaches involving not only physical techniques, but also computational methods. Collection and storage of samples into various electronic databases (e.g., fingerprints or DNA) and the ability of these digital libraries to rapidly screen, analyze, and compare both current and previous samples is extremely important for forensic purposes. In addition, vibrational spectroscopy (based on IR absorption and Raman scattering) [21], internal reflection spectroscopy [22], mass-spectrometry [23] and electrochemistry [24,25] have also been applied for forensic analysis of human or animal hair, fiber, paint and ink, a variety of human body fluids, detection of gunshot residues, controlled substances (e.g., illicit drugs), …show more content…
One particular biochemistry/molecular biology-based area of interest in forensic analysis is forensic serology; this area focuses on the complex task of gathering information regarding the type, age, ethnicity, and/or gender of the sample originator from the biological fluids (blood, saliva, etc.) found at a crime scene [1-5]. Currently, serology employs two main techniques: immunoassay [8] and DNA [9]/RNA [10] analysis. Preliminary steps for these analyses (e.g., identification of human blood vs. other colored spots) can be easily performed on-site, however, supplementary steps often require analytical techniques which entails the use of more specific and complex laboratory equipment as well as highly qualified scientific staff [6]. As a result of the need for specialized training and instrumentation, sample transportation and time-delay are introduced into the investigation, thus increasing the convolution of the investigation in
Traditional examples of forensic science applications include fingerprints analysis [19] and DNA typing [20], both aiming at the identification of crime victims or suspects/persons-of-interest. However, forensic science methods are beginning to far exceed such applications and often include various analytical methods, such as spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques, have seen tremendous developments. Modern developments are based on multi-disciplinary approaches involving not only physical techniques, but also computational methods. Collection and storage of samples into various electronic databases (e.g., fingerprints or DNA) and the ability of these digital libraries to rapidly screen, analyze, and compare both current and previous samples is extremely important for forensic purposes. In addition, vibrational spectroscopy (based on IR absorption and Raman scattering) [21], internal reflection spectroscopy [22], mass-spectrometry [23] and electrochemistry [24,25] have also been applied for forensic analysis of human or animal hair, fiber, paint and ink, a variety of human body fluids, detection of gunshot residues, controlled substances (e.g., illicit drugs), …show more content…
One particular biochemistry/molecular biology-based area of interest in forensic analysis is forensic serology; this area focuses on the complex task of gathering information regarding the type, age, ethnicity, and/or gender of the sample originator from the biological fluids (blood, saliva, etc.) found at a crime scene [1-5]. Currently, serology employs two main techniques: immunoassay [8] and DNA [9]/RNA [10] analysis. Preliminary steps for these analyses (e.g., identification of human blood vs. other colored spots) can be easily performed on-site, however, supplementary steps often require analytical techniques which entails the use of more specific and complex laboratory equipment as well as highly qualified scientific staff [6]. As a result of the need for specialized training and instrumentation, sample transportation and time-delay are introduced into the investigation, thus increasing the convolution of the investigation in