Criminalistics and Forensic Sciences: Problems of Differentiation and Integration

Forensic science explores scientific knowledge to clarify legal and legal issues. Since I started in this area of knowledge in mid-2007, my priority has been to create a centre of reference and excellence that would advance forensic science, an area sometimes based on self-taught practices. Along this pathway, I always considered that we were dealing with an articulated set of “Forensic Sciences” and not with a single “Forensic Science”, but I was, at least partially, wrong! This work discusses the competencies of the different forensic subspecialties, seeking to be the starting point for reformulating forensic teaching, research, and public and private forensic activity. It also highlights the concern of offering a certain level of professionalization to forensic science. For this reflection, it was important to follow a path that had its foundations in the study of the historical roots of forensic science, namely the first Portuguese forensic case, to study the revolutionary scientific contribution triggered by the “CSI effect”, to understand in depth the competencies of each of the forensic subspecialties and bring this knowledge to specialized pre- and postgraduate training, to promote innovation through peer review of empirical forensic practices to increase the scientific evidence, the development of certification mechanisms for forensic experts and their respective code of ethics, and to open the doors for artificial intelligence to assist the courts and the opportunity that forensic science represents in the development of other areas of health sciences, life, and social behaviour. Thus, it was born, very unconsciously, a scientific project for the transdisciplinary reformulation of forensic activity, but over time, it allowed me to realize that we can have specialists trained in all its dimensions and plenitude. The pillars for the modernization of this science and, ultimately, the law, which, together with education and health, are the three main pillars of society. Not punishing innocent people, leaving criminals unharmed through scientific evidence, seeking justice, and repairing the damage is the supreme spirit of Forensic Science. Our One Forensics model is now being considered to be implemented by other countries.

This commentary explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in forensic science and its potential implications. The applications of AI in forensic disciplines such as medicine, forensic anthropology, digital forensics, and taphonomy have enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of identification processes and the analysis of digital evidence. However, this rapid advancement prompts critical considerations in privacy, data protection, bias and fairness, and the accuracy and reliability of AI systems. The inherent challenges of the "black box" nature of AI algorithms call for transparency and accountability to maintain trust and uphold the integrity of forensic investigations. Ethical use, legal compliance, interdisciplinary collaboration, education, data integrity, standardization, human oversight, and societal impact, along with sustainability are identified as pivotal areas requiring urgent attention. The discussion underscores the need for rigorous scrutiny, standardized operating procedures, and proactive dialogue to ensure the responsible advancement of AI in forensic science.

Women in Forensics: An international overview

This study presents a systematic review of studies related to murder and criminal investigation, policing, and implications for forensic science application in Nigeria. A literature search was done in the English language, using primary and secondary keywords; such as murder investigation, forensic science, policing, criminal investigation, standard operating procedures guiding murder investigation, and application of forensic science in Nigeria. Four academic databases selected for the study were: SAGE Online, Wiley Online Library, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria earmarked for the study, 16 selected online published materials published between 2012 and 2022 met the predetermined criteria. These articles are either surveys, reviews, case studies, expert opinion materials, or theoretical articles. Central to the findings of these articles is that the application of forensic science in murder investigations in Nigeria is still suboptimal, accounting for lots of cold and unresolved murder cases across the country. In addition, there are other issues such as inadequate legislation governing forensic science application in Nigeria, lack of forensic skills and poor capacity development of Nigerian police, and non-adherence to forensic validated procedures during murder investigations. Gaps identified from these studies suggest a need for research focusing on the importance of suspect forensic profiling, a criminal investigative tool that can aid in narrowing down the suspect pool which has become a perennial problem in Nigeria's justice system as evidenced by the rising number of murder suspects across the country’s penitentiaries. This would make murder investigation more effective and efficient for criminal justice experts.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0788/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

This text provides an examination of the aetiological development of forensic criminology in the UK. It links the subjects of scientific criminology, criminal investigations, crime scene investigation, forensic science and the legal system and it provides an introduction to the important processes that take place between the crime scene and the courtroom. These processes help identify, define and label the 'criminal' and are crucial for understanding any form of crime within society. The book includes sections on: • the epistemological and ontological philosophies of the natural sciences; • the birth of scientific criminology and its search for the criminal 'body'; • the development of early forms of forensic science and crime scene investigation; • investigating crime; • information, material and evidence; • crime analysis and crime mapping; • scientific support and crime scene examination; and • forensic science and detection methods and forensics in the courtroom. The text combines coverage of historical research and contemporary criminal justice processes and provides an introduction to the most common forensic practices, procedures and uses that enable the identification and successful prosecution of criminals. Forensic Criminology is essential for students of criminology, criminal justice, criminal investigations and crime science. It is also useful to those criminal justice practitioners wishing to gain a more in-depth understanding of the links between criminology, criminal investigations and forensics techniques.

Forensic science is integral to enhancing the accuracy, efficiency, and credibility of criminal investigations and legal proceedings. In Bangladesh, where the criminal justice system grapples with issues such as delayed trials, limited resources, and an overwhelming backlog of cases, the application of forensic science presents a critical opportunity for reform. This study explores the current role and potential of forensic science in Bangladesh’s criminal justice system, highlighting key forensic disciplines such as DNA analysis, fingerprinting, digital forensics, and toxicology. Through a comprehensive review of these disciplines, the research underscores their contribution to more reliable investigations, fairer trials, and enhanced public confidence in the justice system. Additionally, the study identifies several challenges hindering the effective implementation of forensic science, including inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of trained personnel, and low public awareness. Drawing on a combination of literature review, case studies, stakeholder interviews, and public surveys, the research evaluates the effectiveness of forensic science in law enforcement and judicial processes. The study proposes a series of recommendations to address these challenges, focusing on modernizing forensic capabilities, capacity-building, and fostering greater collaboration among forensic experts, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary. Ultimately, the study aims to strengthen the role of forensic science in ensuring justice, by improving criminal investigation processes and reinforcing public trust in Bangladesh’s legal system.

Forensic science has become an indispensable tool in modern criminal investigations and the administration of justice. In the Indian legal framework, forensic evidence plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between law enforcement agencies and the judiciary, offering scientific validation in the pursuit of truth. This paper explores the historical evolution, legal provisions, and operational dynamics of forensic science in India, shedding light on its significance in criminal investigations and trials. The study begins with an overview of forensic science and its integration into the Indian justice delivery system. It examines key milestones in the development of forensic practices in India and landmark cases that have underscored their importance in judicial decision-making. The paper further analyzes the legal framework governing forensic evidence, focusing on provisions within the Indian Evidence Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure, alongside judicial interpretations that have shaped its admissibility and reliability. Additionally, the study investigates the role of investigative agencies, including the responsibilities of police and forensic experts, and highlights the challenges faced in the coordination between law enforcement and forensic laboratories. A critical evaluation of technical, infrastructural, and human resource challenges reveals significant gaps hindering the effective utilization of forensic science in criminal justice. The paper concludes by identifying opportunities for reform, advocating for enhanced training, upgraded infrastructure, and robust legal provisions to strengthen the forensic science ecosystem in India. Through this analysis, the study aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, legal practitioners, and forensic experts to address existing challenges and optimize the potential of forensic science in ensuring justice and accountability within the Indian legal system.

‘What is forensic science?’ describes forensic science as the investigation, explanation, and evaluation of events of legal relevance including the identity, origin, and life history, and interaction of humans, materials, substances, and artefacts. A variety of techniques and methodologies, some of which are scientific, are used to describe, infer, and reconstruct events based on the analysis and evaluation of fragmentary physical evidence and other relevant information. From these facts, established to some pre-determined legal standard, the law infers behaviour, motivation, and criminal intent. In short, forensic science answers the central questions in a criminal investigation: who, what, where, when, why, and how?

Forensic chemistry distinguishes itself from other branches of chemical sciences by the necessity to cater to the requirements of both the scientific and legal communities. Its research, application, and presentation are uniquely geared towards meeting the needs of these two domains. Consequently, forensic chemistry research is inherently practical and derived, emphasizing metrology (the science of measurement) and validation. Forensic chemistry has evolved beyond its initial analytical origins and now encompasses a broader range of chemical sciences. As the field expands, established forensic practices are being reevaluated, extending beyond drug analysis and toxicology to encompass diverse areas such as combustion chemistry, materials science, and pattern evidence. Chemistry has been used more and more to help with criminal investigations and forensic chemistry has become an important topic of study for students at all levels of education. The excitement of carrying out chemical tests is increased with the chance to explore a criminal incident. Both educators and students are consistently intrigued by the prominence of chemistry in crime scene investigations depicted in television shows. Fingerprint analysis, a key component of forensic science, has been adapted for every educational level. From elementary school students creating fingerprints with ink to the exciting (and messy) activity of revealing latent fingerprints through dusting, educators have found engaging ways to incorporate forensic science lessons. Superglue, readily available commercially, allows anyone interested to show its capabilities for detecting latent prints. Forensic science or forensic chemistry courses in high school and postsecondary education often include experiments involving the revelation of latent fingerprints. Latent fingerprints are formed when a person touches a surface, leaving behind a nearly transparent chemical residue that mirrors their unique skin ridge patterns. Latent fingerprints are likely to be left on surfaces every time you contact or grab them. To improve the contrast between the fingerprint residue and the surface it has been applied on, many methods have been established. Abundant and resilient, latent prints are unintentionally left behind on the surfaces you touch daily. Specialized techniques can reveal many of these latent prints, highlighting their potential significance in forensic investigations.

Forensic science has been used for justice delivery system since ages. However it started gaining groundin early fifties as an independent discipline and since then it has derived applications from every field ofscience and technology. Today it is well settled and much sought after and ever growing technology forensicsand forensic investigations are fast changing their face as every other day new types of crimes are beingcommitted. To cope up with the demanding nature of this profession, forensic services need up-gradation atevery stage. This paper focuses on the applicability of Forensic science in criminal investigation and the roleit plays in keeping law and order in a society, also throws light on how forensic science is acting as a bridgebetween the medical scientists and legal scientists.

Digital forensic teams and laboratories are now common place within Australia, particularly associated with law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The digital forensics discipline is rapidly evolving to become a scientific practice with domain-specific guideline. These guidelines are still under discussion in an attempt to progress the discipline so as to become as solid and robust in its scientific underpinnings as other forensic disciplines. Influential players, practitioners and observers all agree that rigorous standards need to be adopted to align this science with other forensic sciences. How does one assess the scientific nature of digital forensics with so many independent computing and IT elements combined, and what are the outcomes of each assessment method? Solutions are proposed regularly justifying their use but to date no one international or national standard exists. This paper does not propose a solution but rather explores the concept of Validation and Verification (V&V) with particular respect to digital forensic tools. The paper also explores ISO17025 "General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories" and develops the testing process to satisfy this standard to allow for Australian digital forensic laboratories to be eligible for certification.

AsbtractHumanitarian forensic action, a novel field of application of forensic science, has evolved to assist the humanitarian response to armed conflicts, other situations of violence and catastrophic events. It is discipline framed by International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law and it was shaped up by the early experience of the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team and that of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo in Argentina during the 80s and 90s and later developed by international organizations, including the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Having demonstrated its worth, including for peace‐building, and evolving rapidly, this new field of application of forensic medicine and science needs further development, integration, and research to meet growing needs at global scale.This article is categorized under: Forensic Medicine > Mass Casualty Management Forensic Anthropology > Anthropology in Mass Disaster & War Crime Contexts Forensic Biology > Ethical and Social Implications

The integration of digital evidence, psychological profiling, forensic science, and sophisticated analytical methods in criminal investigations and judicial proceedings is examined in this study. The significance of artificial intelligence and data analytics in case evaluation is also discussed, as is the function of forensic methods, such as DNA analysis, fingerprint identification, ballistics, and others, in establishing factual evidence. To maintain law and order in our society, this study will examine how scientific and contemporary technologies are used in criminal investigations. The issues with investigations, modern sciences, and the fundamentals of forensics in India are also covered.

Technology's incorporation into criminal investigations has transformed the approaches taken by law enforcement organizations and greatly increased their ability to solve crimes. By following their development and analysing how they are used in modern practice, this paper investigates the significant influence that developments in digital technology and forensic science have on criminal investigations. The use of surveillance technologies, digital forensics, and DNA analysis are important topics of discussion because they have all revolutionized the gathering and evaluation of evidence. This paper also discusses the difficulties and constraints brought about by these technological developments, including dependability problems, privacy ethics, and the possibility of digital injustices

Forensic entomology is the study of insects/arthropods in criminal investigation. Right from the early stages insects are attracted to the decomposing body and may lay eggs in it. By studying the insect population and the developing larval stages, forensic scientists can estimate the postmortem index, any change in position of the corpse as well as the cause of death. Forensic odontologists are called upon more frequently to collaborate in criminal investigations and hence should be aware of the possibilities that forensic entomology have to offer and use it as an adjunct to the conventional means of forensic investigation.