Description
Prepare a 1,400- to 1,750-word paper on your perception and concept of forensic science in 21st-century criminal justice.
Include a discussion of the following questions:
- How important is forensic science to policing and criminal investigations, court processes, and security efforts at various levels? Explain your rationale in a historical approach.
- How accurate is the popular media representation of forensic science? How does this influence popular opinion on justice-related issues?
- What possible influence does the “CSI” effect have on the judicial process?
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Explanation & Answer
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Running head: FORENSIC SCIENCE
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Forensic Science
University Affiliation
Student Name
Date
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FORENSIC SCIENCE
Forensic Science
Forensic science is the application and use of science to civil and criminal laws. Forensic
science is also referred to as criminalistics and is mainly applied in criminal investigations. The
main role of forensic scientists is to preserve, collect and analyze scientific evidence during and
after investigation. Some of these forensic scientists are mandated to visit the crime scenes and
collect evidence, while others are stationed in laboratories where they analyze and interpret the
collected evidence. In addition, forensic scientists are sometimes called expert witnesses as a
court of law to testify in both civil and criminal cases and can also work as either the defense or
prosecution. In a forensic science laboratory, there are several disciplines applied, which include
forensic chemistry, molecular biology, or DNA and trace evidence examination like paints, glass,
paints, polymers, hairs, and soil. Others include handwriting analysis, forensic toxicology,
explosive and fire examination, and digital evidence analysis. Therefore, forensic science plays a
significant role in ensuring justice is served to all and also prevents crimes from happening or
being committed.
Importance of Forensic Science
According to Bitzer et al. (2019), forensic science has been helping law enforcers to
analyze and collect evidence of various criminal actions. Forensic science is applied in criminal
examinations, policing, court processes, and security efforts. The criminal mind has changed and
advanced over the years, and this called for the need for forensic science to deal with and counter
these changes. Medicine and technology are fundamental tools in forensic science to establish
truth in criminal acts. Without forensic science, thieves, murders, drug traffickers, rapists, and
FORENSIC SCIENCE
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other criminals could be roaming scot-free in the world. Many forensic tools and scientists go
into the investigation of the different crimi...