Forensic

Although we will be focusing on the forensic sciences that typically take place in a crime laboratory, there are other types of forensic sciences that are specialized and focused on a particular area. In this section, we will briefly take a look at some of these specialty areas. Forensic Pathology/Biology Pathology is a science that deals with disease. Pathologists make use of autopsies to study the tissues and other parts of the human body for diseases. An autopsy is a dissection and examination of the body, often to determine why the person died. Pathologists may study samples like blood, tissue, and urine to identify and learn more about diseases in the body. Forensic pathology is the extension of this specialty to the criminal justice system. Forensic pathology studies sudden, unexplained, and violent deaths by using autopsies to determine the cause of death in an individual. The scientists in this field may work as medical examiners or coroners. One of the tasks that a forensic pathologist might have is to determine the time of death for a body. The medical examiner or coroner may participate in the criminal investigation by evaluating the stage of decomposition in the body. Following a person's death, the muscles of the body relax and then become rigid. Rigor Mortis, as this rigidity is known, occurs within 24 hours after death and goes away after about 36 hours. Liver Mortis also happens soon after death. This condition in the body happens as the blood stops pumping through the body and settles in the parts of the body lowest to the ground. This condition occurs within the first 12 hours after death. Another condition that can help determine the time of death is algor mortis, which is the gradual cooling of the body after death. Forensic pathologists have to consider factors like where the body is, the air temperature, and the size of the body to determine the time of death from its temperature. Forensic Anthropology Forensic anthropology specializes in the identification and examination of skeletal remains. Forensic anthropologists may also be called on to help identify the victims of disasters like fires, explosions, and plane crashes, where bodies may be burned or mutilated in some way. Forensic anthropologists help determine whether bones and skeletal remains are from a long ago burial that has been unearthed or whether they are from a more recent death, that may require investigation. Many have at least some training in archaeological methods. They also examine the bones to see if they can determine what the cause of death was. They use the bones to help determine the sex, race, and age at the time of death for the individual and in some cases, where the individual was from. Some forensic anthropologists may help with facial reconstructions, which can help identify who the person is that the bones belonged to. Forensic Psychiatry Forensic psychiatry focuses on the relationship between human behavior and criminal justice. During the course of a court case, issues of competence (whether someone is competent to stand trial or be executed) and mental illness can play a role. Forensic psychiatrists and psychologists offer insight to investigators, attorneys, judges, and juries about a suspect's mental state and their understanding of the crime committed. These scientists look at the past, present, and future of individuals. For example, they may examine whether the suspect was mentally sane at the time the crime was committed. They may also examine whether an individual is competent during a trial, such as being able to cooperate with their defense. Finally, some forensic psychiatrists examine the likelihood that an offender will repeat their crime for the purposes of probation hearings. In addition, some forensic psychiatrists may create behavioral profiles in order to help law enforcement officials identify and apprehend suspects. Forensic Entomology Forensic entomology uses the study of insects to help criminal investigations. This area is often involved with helping to determine the time of death when the situation where the death occurred is unknown. When decomposition begins, blowflies infest a body, laying eggs that eventually hatch into fly larvae (maggots). The larvae help to consume the body's organs and tissues if left alone. By studying the stage of larvae development and what type of flies and insects are present, scientists can give insight into when the death occurred. Forensic Odontology Forensic odontology provides insight into the identification of individuals through their teeth. In some cases, investigators may only have the skeletal remains, including teeth, of a body. Forensic odontologists look at teeth, their alignment, and other information to help determine who the person was. They can sometimes match the dental remains to dental records of a suspected victim. Forensic odontologists may also provide insight in cases that involve bite marks, analyzing the bite to see whether it matches that of a suspect's. As you can see, there are many different areas that forensic scientists specialize in. Each of these specialties helps the criminal justice system identify crime and the suspects that have committed the crime. This module has introduced you briefly to the world of forensic science. Forensic scientists use science within the criminal justice system. They collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes, give expert testimony, and train others about collecting evidence.