A crime scene is a dynamic workspace fret with challenges and perils. If the crime scene investigator is not careful, then the crime scene investigator can negatively impact the scene and compromise the physical evidence. We had examined before the importance of physical and forensic evidence and how the theory of the Locard Exchange Principle […]
Securing a Crime Scene-common CSI mistakes in the beginning
Contamination of a crime scene is the enemy of truth. Everyone recognizes that the enemy of crime scene investigation is contamination and the altering of important physical evidence. The federal government in the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institutes of Justice, and specifically the Technical Working Group on Crime Scene […]
The Locard Exchange Principle in Forensic Science: The real iTouch
“Every contact leaves a trace” is how the Locard Exchange Principle which is really a hypothesis is summarized. It has been written as follows: Wherever he steps, whatever he touches, whatever he leaves, even unconsciously, will serve as a silent witness against him. Not only his fingerprints or his footprints, but his hair, the fibers […]
Physical evidence is often the most important evidence
In the world of criminal law truth is the gold standard. Who doesn’t want a truthful verdict? Admittedly, absolute truth is often illusive. But how can jurors and judges who were not at a scene, were not eyewitnesses themselves to the event and do not know the credibility or the accuracy of the witnesses called […]
Anecdotal Information vs. Scientific Data in the Courtroom
How many times have we heard in Court the following from an expert: Based upon my training, knowledge and experience, (insert alleged expert opinion) It is perhaps the functional equivalent of the famous line in the American Pie movies (and has about the same value-a comedic line with little universal applicability to you and I) […]
The Importance of Proper Credentials in Forensic Science
One of the major problems in the way that forensic science is presented in Courtroom today is the use of the word “expert” and the very low threshold of what passes for one in court. But first I ask you to imagine. Imagine that you go to a doctor’s office having previously given them a […]
The prosecution is the enemy of good science
The criminal defense attorney is truly not the enemy of forensic science, the prosecution is. That is a pretty bold statement, but it is true. The way that prosecutor’s present forensic science in the Courtroom is the biggest hindrance to the truth. I took the time to go out and attend the 62nd annual conference […]
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