, 2005)
In the same way that traditional techniques of criminal identification have enabled law enforcement authorities to establish national fingerprint information databases for the purposes of connecting evidence to possible previous offenders, DNA-based forensic evidence has allowed the creation of similar databases greatly expanding the types of forensic evidence used to increase the security of sensitive facilities and restricted areas.
When combined with the ever-increasing power of modern computer technology to cross reference and match different types of physical evidence, law enforcement authorities have already developed the ability to establish terrorist watch lists incorporating forensic evidence of previous acts of terrorism with uniquely identifying features of perpetrators still at large. The continued evolution of such marriages between criminal forensics and identification techniques will greatly enhance homeland security, both at checkpoints and in terms of tracking the possible whereabouts and activities of persons of interest in connection with possible terrorism.
Popular Media Representation of Forensic Science and Influence on Popular Conception: Popular media representations of forensic science have presented a view of the field that is somewhat inaccurate, simply by virtue of the fact that even with the use of the most advanced technologies...
In particular, television programs like NCIS and its genre take significant artistic license with the scientific principles involved for the sake of popular understanding.
Nevertheless, in all likelihood, such representations actually serve a valuable deterrent purpose by creating the impression that criminal activity is more difficult than ever to perpetrate without eventual arrest and prosecution based on forensic science. In that regard, even scientifically inaccurate media representation of 21st-century forensic principles provides a social benefit beyond the technical limits of its current application.
References
Johns, L.G., Downes, G.F., Bibles, C.D. (2005). Resurrecting Cold Case Serial Homicide Investigations; the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. (Vol. 74 No. 8). Kobalinsky, L., Liotti, T.F., Oeser-Sweat, J. (2005). DNA: Forensic and Legal Applications. Hoboken: Wiley & Sons.
Markey, J. (2007). After the Match: dealing with the New Era of DNA;
The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. (Vol. 76 No. 10). Yost, J., Burke, T. (2007). Veterinary Forensics: Animals Curtailing Crime; the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. (Vol. 76 No. 10).
