Forensics in Forensic Investigations

Forensics is the scientific processing of a criminal investigation. In a forensic investigation, evidence is collected, preserved and analyzed with the objective of solving a crime . Any number of professionals may assist in an analysis of forensics, dependent on their specialty. Forensics is a vital aspect of criminal law and can help determine suspects, convict the guilty, exonerate the innocent, and link serial crimes.

During a forensics investigation, law enforcement officials locate, document, mark and collect any evidence present at the scene of the crime that may help in the investigation. Forensic evidence may include a number of different types of physical proof, such as:

• hairs
• fibers
• skin tissue
• bodily fluids
• fingerprints
• shoe impressions
• and bones

Investigators may take photographs, videos, sketches, and measurements of the crime scene, to ensure a thorough investigation and preservation of evidence.

Once forensics evidence is collected, materials are taken to a forensics lab where the evidence can be analyzed. Often chemical processing, alternate light sources, fluorescent powders and other advanced methods of analysis must be used to examine the data.

DNA recovery from bodily fluids, skin tissue, hair, bones, and more can be very helpful in a forensics investigation . Properly collected DNA evidence can be a highly accurate means of determining suspects in a crime. Fingerprints are also a highly reliable form of forensics evidence when collected properly. In the event that the fingerprints do not produce valuable evidence for a particular crime, they can be entered into the FBI's Automated Finger Print ID System and referred to in subsequent cases. The FBI is one of the largest and most sophisticated conductors of forensic science.

Forensics evidence must be collected at the initial crime scene . If it is not collected at the start, materials may become contaminated and can create inaccurate conclusions regarding the crime.

Forensics is an integral part of any crime solving process. Forensics can:

• determine the guilt of a criminal suspect
• link related serial crimes
• narrow the range of suspects
• determine crime patterns
• and exonerate the innocent.

There have been a number of prisoners and death row inmates who have been freed after the science of forensics allowed proof of their innocence.

To learn more about forensics and how they apply to your case, please contact our skilled criminal defense attorneys for a free consultation .