Forensic science is the use of science and physical evidence and applying them to law. Forensic science helps establish or exclude a link among physical evidence, the victim/s, the crime scene and the suspect. It often requires the use of logic and highly developed tools and technologies to collect and process evidence to prove or disprove a crime or violation.

History of forensic science
Forensic science has contributed much to the resolution of numerous criminal and civil cases for as far back as the early 12th century in China and England. However, forensic science, also referred to as medical jurisprudence, has a long history, dating back to the famous legend involving Archimedes and his ‘eureka’ moment in about 250 BC, where he disproved a fraudulent claim about a crown that was supposed to be composed of gold by using its buoyancy and density as evidence.

It was in 1807 when Scotland’s University of Edinburgh created the Department of Legal Medicine in order to use a more scientific approach to investigating unnatural deaths. This coroner system was brought to America by the colonists. In 1915, a complete program gave the medical examiner the authority to investigate deaths that resulted from violent means such as suicides, accidents, violence or suspected foul play. Today, forensic science involves the use of highly sophisticated technologies to research and analyze data and evidence.

Forensic comes from ‘forensis’, a Latin word that means ‘before the forum’. The forum was a platform for the ancient Romans where a criminal charge was presented as a case in front of the public. The accused and his accuser spoke before the crowd to explain their sides. Whoever got the best argument won the case. Even then, the presentation of evidence was key to determining which case was stronger.

The purpose of forensic science
Forensic science often requires the use of sophisticated technologies in order to supplement or confirm scientific evidence. Despite the common perception that forensics’ main thrust is in solving criminal cases, it actually has a wide range of practical applications. It is also applied to civil cases where forensic analysis and examination methods may be applied to resolve claims and disputes. Forensic scientists also do not always take the side of the prosecution but also of the defense.

Forensic science also plays a major part in international relations, since it is being used to monitor and record the compliance of many countries to certain international agreements. The Chemical Weapons Convention and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty are two such international agreements where violations may be determined, confirmed or excluded using the tools of forensic science.

Despite its popularity and the high-technology it utilizes, forensic science does not always present the perfect solution. It may not always be the most effective method to solve a criminal or civil case. Some cases requiring forensics work, for example, may often rely on witnesses to identify suspects, provide evidence or offer testimonies. Forensic science often corroborates, disputes or supplements witness testimonies.

Branches of forensic science
Forensic science is an umbrella term that encompasses numerous specializations. Forensic scientists are categorized into the different sciences to which they apply their expertise. These branches include:

Forensic pathology – the branch of forensic science where medical principles are combined with pathology to determine the cause of injury or death for application to any legal inquiry.

Forengsic archaeology – involves DNA and serological analysis for identification by using evidence such as body fluids, blood, hairs, skin and other materials sourced from the human body.

Forensic toxicology – deals with the study of drugs, poisons and other chemicals and their effect on the human body.

Forensic anthropology – deals with the recovery, identification or if necessary, the reconstruction of skeletonized remains.

Forensic entomology – deals with the observation and examination of insects that appear on or in the vicinity of human remains to determine location and time of death.

Forensic odontology – deals with identification based on dental evidence.

Forensic geology – involves the study of trace evidence such as soils, rocks, minerals, petroleum, etc.

Forensic meteorology – deals with the observation and analysis of weather conditions specific to a site.

Criminalistics – probably the most common field of forensic science that involves the use and application of several sciences to examine and compare biological evidence for criminal investigations.

Working in forensic science
Forensic science is applied in conjunction with the justice system. There are six major practice areas in forensics including: technical assistance, academic assistance, crime scene examination, crime scene laboratory analysis, forensic engineering and medical examination. The qualifications for each area differ slightly and preparation involves both academic courses and on-the-job training. To become a medical examiner, for example, a forensic scientist is required to have a medical degree with related undergraduate courses. To work as a crime laboratory analyst, a degree in natural science, especially chemistry, biochemistry or genetics may be necessary. For academic support work in forensic science such as profiling, a degree in psychology is helpful.