American Academy of Forensic Sciences

related to the field of forensics. The study of crime scenes and the criminal mind are both fascinating to me. My dad is in charge of safety and security at the Tallahassee International Airport, as well as prior military, so I have been exposed to security, military and law enforcement career fields throughout my life. This exposure has sparked an interest in forensics and has led me to research different careers in the field of criminal forensics. Due to my love of forensics, and my belief…

angles showing that she was used for "target practice". Ballistics was the most used element of forensics in ‘Death on the Nile’ also. Throughout the novel there wasn’t remotely any access to forensics because they were all on a boat. However, they were able to identify the gun that Linnet was shot with. “She was shot. A very little bullet- I should say a twenty-two” (P 189). At this stage, forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Rod Milton concluded a profile of the killer. This was an important step as…

Physical Evidence One of the main types of physical evidence is that of our fingerprints. We carry around our own unique maps of swirls and ridges on our fingertips, thus enabling judges and juries to use fingerprints in deciding our innocence and guilt in a court of law (Sealey, 2016). Fingerprints are the most incriminating type of evidence that can be used in a criminal case. Fingerprints are one of the most reliable forms of identification, because no two people have the same…

Career Narrative: Forensic Science Forensic science technicians sometimes called criminalist or crime scene investigators collect evidence at the scene of a crime and perform scientific and technical analysis in their lab. The scientist generally perform their work inside the forensic or crime lab where they are responsible for comparing and interpreting the physical evidence that was from the crime scene. I feel that I fit personal qualities of a forensic scientist because, I love to solve…

If any piece of evidence is mishandled or altered in any way it should be well documented. If the items are not labeled with the initials of everyone who handled it, the date, or the description and source of the specimen a problem can arise. Keeping a chain of custody allows for the prosecution to make evidence stand in court. This allows for the prosecutor to show that the evidence that is being offered in court is the same evidence that was collected and received. It also allows them to…

The quality and reliability of forensic testing is extremely important to the criminal justice system. If the best evidence is not submitted in court, the guilty may go unpunished or an innocent person may lose their liberty. One system to help address issues surrounding accuracy and quality of forensic testing is accreditation through the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors and its Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB). ASCLD/LAB provides an independent, impartial and objective…

A forensic scientist is the who someone who investigates crimes. He/she gathers and investigates information at the crime scene such as physical evidence from the scene. The evidence he/she gathers can range from fingerprints, footprints, hair, blood, splatter, tire tracks, fibers, chemicals, handwriting, drugs, DNA, and broken or bent objects. In this paper I will inform you on what you need to do to study and become a forensic scientist, costs to study it, where/how you can get employed, if…

Arson and Fire Investigators are a branch of forensic scientists that are called in to determine the cause of a fire. These fires include those started intentionally and those that killed someone. Arson and Fire Investigators take detailed records of their case because they may need them to testify in court. They also take photographs of the scene, interview witnesses and take fingerprints. They collect evidence and consult with police officers and engineers. If they identify the source, they…

technician, crime scene technician, forensic investigator, crime scene analyst, criminalistics officer and more. This job is a rather complex and multi-faceted one, as large number of subspecialties field exists within this profession (2). However, in general, a crime scene investigator is the profession trained to document and collect evidence to proof the crime. In contrast to forensic scientist who handles tests on physical evidences within the forensic laboratory, CSI is the professional…

samples are gathered and tested for genetic clues that ultimately identify or exclude who was present at the time the crime occurred. According to Duncan & Daly-Engel (2006), “Asplen & Friedman indicate ‘recent technological advances have made forensic science extremely important in the criminal justice system.” (p.38) Those advancements are especially helpful to criminal investigation units. Working within a correctional facility affords me the opportunity to see the actual offenders that were…