¶ … forensic science considered a historical science? In your opinion, does this make it inferior to non-historical sciences (i.e. experimental sciences)? Why or why not?
Forensic science is considered a historical science because the theories and assumptions it has constructed about criminal behaviors reflect the biases of the eras in which they were constructed to some extent and cannot be tested like a scientific hypothesis about a natural law like relativity. While the classical theory of crime was heavily influenced by Enlightenment theories of rationality, sociologically-influenced theories such as strain theory and social disorganization theory reflected the 20th century emphasis on the influence of outside social influences upon an individual's propensity for criminal behavior. This does not make forensic science inferior to the natural sciences. All social sciences are more subjective in their nature than physics, chemistry, and to a lesser extent biology because of researcher bias and the fact that they are studying human nature and society, which cannot be subjected to perfectly-controlled experimental conditions.
Q2. Post-Mortem Interval (PMI). In your opinion, which of the phenomena used to calculate the PMI is most reliable? Why?
Q3. In the explosion that took place at the Murrah building in Oklahoma City, it was determined that ANFO was the explosive used. In your opinion, why would someone use this as an explosive? Why wouldn't the perpetrators have used dynamite or nitroglycerine? What could have been done to the truck containing the explosive to maximize the damage to the building?
ANFO is an industrial explosive most often used in mining and quarrying because it is relatively safe to handle until the time it is mixed. This may be one reason it was selected for the Oklahoma City bombing, along with the fact that it…
Forensic Sciences in the USA and the United Kingdom Over the last two decades, the forensic science has assisted in producing valuable evidence that has contributed to a successful conviction and prosecution of criminals and exoneration of innocent citizens. Typically, an advanced in forensic science and DNA technology have been a great assistance for law enforcement agency for an identification and prosecution of criminals. In the United States and the
Forensic Science: Its Relevance Within the Criminal Justice System Forensic science has, since its inception, had an impact on a number of fields, including education, health, law enforcement (the criminal justice system), to name but a few. Of these, the criminal justice system can be rightly considered the greatest beneficiary of forensic science (Fantino, 2007). Thanks to technological advancement and increased public awareness, all aspects of the justice system today including
Picture a place where criminals could roam freely, detectives, and police officers went about gathering evidence the same way that they do now, except the one main difference is that they do not use science. Without the use of scientific analysis, you would not have a lot of useful evidence that you could use to convict someone of a crime. Criminals could get away with everything from common theft to
(Bartelink, Wiersema & Demaree, November 2001) (Croft & Ferllini, November 2007) (Jones, January 2008) Actual cut marks in bones are often found on rib bones, or within skulls, and often postmortem dismemberment done near the time of death creates tell tale signs of such trauma on the skeleton, often at the joints. The new emphasis in law enforcement and forensics in general to solve old murders or locate and identify
But on the other hand, a reader who is also interested in the subject doesn't have to necessarily enjoy the idea of decomposing human corpses - or have really thick skin - to get educated regarding the forensic science / anthropologic value of this book. Being a student in Forensic Anthropology in fact makes it easier to get through the potentially offensive parts of the book, because there are many
Using forensic medical evidence in court It is a requirement by the International law for all states to carry out investigations for all allegations of torture and bring to book the culprits. The victims of such torture also need to be compensated adequately by the state. Many torturers perform their heinous acts in the dark, and try to conceal all possible evidence, but still aim at inflicting as much pain as
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