When judging the innocence of those accused during a criminal justice trial, do you focus on the forensic science aspects of the hearing? Do you understand what the forensic expert is dictating, or do you simply nod along as they explain what they believe the evidence signifies? Used with the intention to correlate criminal investigations and scientific techniques, forensics became a division of science that specializes in analyzing criminal cases. It has a wide range of disciplines, expanding from DNA laboratory analysis to hair and fingerprint pattern analysis. However, it may not be completely reliable because some of its branches, such as examining hair or soil, may not provide the most solid information. This means that these test conclusions
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In fact, “the term “forensic science” is used with the recognition that some of these activities might not have a well-developed research base, are not informed by scientific knowledge, or are not developed within the culture of science.” (NCJRS, 2009) Consequently, utilizing forensics as the main reason to accuse someone of a crime can lead to false trials where the wrong person is convicted and possibly sentenced for life or to death. This can truly ruin people’s lives, as they will potentially lose their families, their jobs, and their homes. Therefore, the Innocence Project was created to accurately represent the falsely accused through using DNA tests and falsifying previous evidence that may have been used. It already falsified 349 cases where the wrong person was identified as the culprit. Based on my research, I believe that the criminal justice system does not fairly represent the innocence of individuals, due to its reliance on forensics and …show more content…
This gave rise to many forensic branches, such as arson testing, hair analysis, and semen comparison. However, the most powerful tool with the most potential proved to be DNA testing. This is a technique that can link people to the crime scene through matching and interpreting remaining bodily fluids. However, it also revealed that innocent people have been declared guilty of crimes they were not involved in. Two of the main factors about why this occurs is eyewitness misidentification and the science itself. A huge portion of crime scene analysis is evaluating arson, meaning that the investigators attempt to find the origin of the manmade fire through the leftover marks (Rigby, 2013). However, it is revolved around examining patterns and making assumptions based on the expert’s experience. To prove whether the assumption made by certain patterns were accurate, fire investigators, John Lentini and John DeHaan, conducted a study to test the effects of different fires. In the first part, they used a liquid accelerant to generate a fire- but it created the same pattern as an arson fire. Then during the next part of the study, they realized that the window cracks made from rapid heating, due to the usage of flammable liquid, can also be
In fact, “the term “forensic science” is used with the recognition that some of these activities might not have a well-developed research base, are not informed by scientific knowledge, or are not developed within the culture of science.” (NCJRS, 2009) Consequently, utilizing forensics as the main reason to accuse someone of a crime can lead to false trials where the wrong person is convicted and possibly sentenced for life or to death. This can truly ruin people’s lives, as they will potentially lose their families, their jobs, and their homes. Therefore, the Innocence Project was created to accurately represent the falsely accused through using DNA tests and falsifying previous evidence that may have been used. It already falsified 349 cases where the wrong person was identified as the culprit. Based on my research, I believe that the criminal justice system does not fairly represent the innocence of individuals, due to its reliance on forensics and …show more content…
This gave rise to many forensic branches, such as arson testing, hair analysis, and semen comparison. However, the most powerful tool with the most potential proved to be DNA testing. This is a technique that can link people to the crime scene through matching and interpreting remaining bodily fluids. However, it also revealed that innocent people have been declared guilty of crimes they were not involved in. Two of the main factors about why this occurs is eyewitness misidentification and the science itself. A huge portion of crime scene analysis is evaluating arson, meaning that the investigators attempt to find the origin of the manmade fire through the leftover marks (Rigby, 2013). However, it is revolved around examining patterns and making assumptions based on the expert’s experience. To prove whether the assumption made by certain patterns were accurate, fire investigators, John Lentini and John DeHaan, conducted a study to test the effects of different fires. In the first part, they used a liquid accelerant to generate a fire- but it created the same pattern as an arson fire. Then during the next part of the study, they realized that the window cracks made from rapid heating, due to the usage of flammable liquid, can also be