By: Carl Walker
The science of forensic investigation has been around for hundreds of years. In the past hundred years however, Forensic investigation has developed and the progress that has been made is astounding. The art of forensic investigation is used every day on crime scenes throughout the world. A forensic investigation refers to the investigation of a crime scene. A crime scene investigator reconstructs the crime scene, analyzing evidence and carefully documenting each one of their findings. If only one piece of evidence is documented incorrectly, it could put the whole criminal case in jeopardy, potentially setting a criminal free to run the streets.
Crime scene investigators are specially trained members of the police force. They are the first people on a crime scene, and only they can release any property or information once the investigation is completed. There are different types of forensics that fall into the category of forensic investigation. The most simple of type of forensics is fingerprint. This is when a crime scene investigator gathers finger print evidence from a crime scene and analyzes it to get a finger print match.
Perhaps the most recognized form of forensic investigation is DNA testing. This testing is done by testing physical evidence such as secretions or blood from a crime scene and testing it to determine if it belongs to the victim. It doesn’t, the sample will reveal certain genetic markers including the blood type of the unknown person. In cases such as assault, robbery, rape and murder, an experienced crime scene investigator is critical. They are trained in what to look for and how to test the evidence. Even the smallest piece of dust or a single hair can yield a wealth of information to a trained investigator. A single hair found at a crime scene can literally tell the investigator if they are looking for a male or female, or if the hair belongs to an animal.
A trained forensic investigator can take a half eaten apple and use the bite marks as identification, sort of like finger prints, thus catching a criminal who thinks that he or that they got away with a criminal act. A forensic investigator not only investigates murder scenes, their services are also used to detect forgeries by handwriting analysis, and testing water for purity.
Performing a forensic investigation is a long and complicated process. Every inch of a crime scene needs to be processed, starting with collecting finger print evidence from every inch of the crime scene. Once the finger printing is done, the more tedious task of collecting every bit of dirt, dust, paper, clothes, fluid samples and everything else that is on the scene. Often, it takes weeks to process an entire crime scene.
