Download Forensic Science

Forensic Science
Uses multiple science specialties
The main three are:
Biology
Chemistry
Medicine
Forensic Science also uses…
Physics
Computer science
Geology
Psychology
In Forensic Science…
Forensic scientists examine objects,
substances (including blood or drug
samples), chemicals (paints, explosives,
toxins), tissue traces (hair, skin), or
impressions (fingerprints or tidemarks)
left at the crime scene. The majority of
forensic scientists specialize in one
area of science.
What is Forensic Medicine ?
Forensic medicine is
a discipline within
the medical profession
which applies the
principles, techniques and
knowledge of medicine
(including dentistry,
clinical psychology,
biology and chemistry) to
a legal context.
Forensic Medicine uses….
Evidence collected at a
crime scene to uncover such
vital legal information as
1. Cause of death
2. Time of death
3. Evidence which connects
a suspect to a crime, to a
victim, or to the location of
crime.
What is the difference between
“forensic science” and “forensic
medicine?”
Forensic science applies science to law. It
involves the application of highly developed
technologies to uncover scientific evidence of
a crime.
Forensic medicine applies medical science
to legal problems. It is typically involved in
cases concerning blood relationship, mental
illness, injury, or death resulting from
violence.
Forensic medicine uses several
different types of techniques
• Autopsy – earliest technique
• DNA Typing – most recent technique
• Forensic Anthropology
• Odontology
• Testing blood
Did you know?
Forensic medicine was first used in
the late 1700's in the United
Kingdom to determine whether a
death was the result of suicide.
What originated as a very
simple inspection of a deceased
person's body has grown into
the extensive medical field that
we know as autopsy.
Not only was autopsy the
first scientific technique used to
determine the cause of death, it
was also the beginning of
forensic medicine.
DNA typing/ DNA finger printing
Was introduced in the mid-1980s
First described in 1985 by an English
geneticist named Alec Jeffreys
Has revolutionized forensic science and
the ability of law enforcement to match
perpetrators with crime scenes
DNA Typing is used in rape
cases and in many other
types of cases.
DNA typing can be used to analyze
specimens of many types such as semen,
blood, and hair samples of the criminal
found in the victim’s body.
The results can be compared to the
defendant’s genetic makeup and conclusions
can be drawn from the results.
Forensic Anthropology
Forensic anthropology is
the application of the
science of physical
anthropology and human
osteology (the study of the
human skeleton) in a legal
setting, most often in
criminal cases where the
victim's remains are more
or less skeletonized.
Forensic Anthropology
A forensic
anthropologist
can also assist in the
identification of
deceased individuals
whose remains are
decomposed, burned,
mutilated or otherwise
unrecognizable.
Some careers in medical
forensics include:
Forensic Pathologist
Forensic Nurse
Forensic Technicians
Forensic Anthropologist
Medical Examiner
Forensic pathologists,
doctors, nurses, and
technicians use
medical principles and
scientific procedures to
analyze the physical
evidence associated
with criminal
investigations.
To become a Forensic
Pathologist …
It begins with a four year college degree, followed
by four years of medical school.
After medical school, a three to five year residency
training program in general pathology.
After completion of the residency program, the
pathologist embarks on a one year specialty
training program in forensic pathology at a medical
examiner's or coroner's office, usually in a large
city or metropolitan area.
Why would a health care provider
want to work in forensics?
• To discover the cause of a person's death,
injury, or disease
• The pursuit of societal justice
• It is an extremely important roles that
requires a combination of precise scientific
knowledge and a sincere desire to protect
their communities.
What do you need to know about
entering into a career in forensic
medicine ?
• First, a student should carefully weigh his
personal interests and strengths with the
requirements of a successful forensic
medicine career.
• Forensic healthcare professionals enjoy
tedious and complicated scientific
procedures, have an affinity for science and
math, and possess a strong commitment to
creating a safer society through their work.
Obtaining a degree in forensic medicine
will involve intense and advanced
studies of biology, chemistry, physics,
and mathematics.
A potential forensic medicine student can
prepare by enrolling in as many advanced
math and science courses as his high school
offers.
Students will thrive in forensic medicine degree
programs when they have strong foundational skills
in math and science.
What is the job outlook in
forensic medicine?
According to the U.S. Department of
labor, employment opportunities for all
branches of forensics, including forensic
medicine, are expected to grow "much faster
than the average" during the next ten years.
The Department of Labor projection also
notes that employment prospects increase as
the level of the degree rises.
Resources
http://www.answers.com/topic/human
skeleton
http://www.degrees.info/online/health
care/forensic-medicine.html
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online
education-guide/health
medical/forensic-medicine
major.htm
http://www.dna.gov/basics/analysishistory/