Such evidence is given primary status in many, if not all, criminal trials today ranging from crimes of murder to mere vandalism. Yet, despite the ‘heavyweight’ support given to the idea that forensic evidence is irrefutable it is argued by some that forensic science evidence alone should not convict. Arguably the Twentieth Century saw the explosion of science, not only in the area of forensic evidence but generally. Methods and techniques deployed in the gathering of evidence for conviction or acquittal changed at a dramatic pace and as each and every scientific discovery was made an application in Forensic Science was close behind. The gathering of forensic evidence at a crime scene is now paramount.
However the term is now so closely associated with the scientific field that many dictionaries include the meaning that equates the word "forensics" with "forensic science". Forensic science is not just what you see on television shows like CSI but rather the use of actual science to help determine the answer to varied legal questions. There are many different types of forensic disciplines that are used to help police and other officials answer these questions. These include criminalistics, forensic psychology, forensic pathology and others. Criminalistics is the science used to help understand the evidence in crimes.
Throughout history society’s perception of crime and deviance has adapted to fit within the societal model of control. The continual advancement of both medical understanding and technology has also played a major role in how the legal system identifies individuals considered to be criminals. Just as society’s perception and understanding of criminal activities has changed, so too has the criminological theories that attempt to explain it. Today all theories (old and new) are studied in order to assist in the creation of new theories and help determine possibly why criminal behavior is taking place. This paper will compare criminological sub theories such as Anomie, Subculture, Biological, Social Disorganization/Chicago school, Learning, Labeling,
Fingerprinting, Lie Detector Tests, and Bomb Detector Tests Fingerprinting, lie detector tests, and bomb detector tests are three very important tools used by law enforcement in the ongoing fight against criminal activity. All three methods can be very effective in helping to identify and catch people involved in criminal acts. However, they are all used for very different reasons. Fingerprinting is used to identify people, lie detector tests are used to find the truth, and bomb detector tests are used to locate any bombs. Fingerprinting has been serving law enforcement and the government for more than 100 years.
One article stated that: Almost every day photography provides new evidence of its value as a powerful weapon in the war against crime. More and more departments are coming to realize that—even in routine incidents—simple pictures taken with simple cameras can make an impressive difference in Court. Furthermore, police departments are continually finding new ways to use photography, both as a tool for investigation and as a means to record data quickly and accurately (RCMP Website, 2002, paragraph 1,2 ). Before a detailed examination of the crime scene is made or before any items are moved or even touched, the crime scene should be photographed. The photographs should be taken to clearly and accurately depict the actual scene, the path taken by the criminal
Word count : 1700 Criminal victimization and rational theories The classical approach to explain crime has always revolved around examining the personal motivations of offenders for committing crime. However, in the recent past decades researchers have focused not only on offender incentive, but also on the lifestyles and activities of those at risk of being victimized. The following article explores different risk determinants, rational choice and social control theories in an attempt to establish both victim and offender's crime circumstances. Cohen, Kluegel and Land present the opportunity model of predatory victimization perspective as a basic explanatory model for criminal victimization. In order to comprehend why race, age and income have the potential to affect criminal victimization, the authors portray five main risk factors which are: exposure, guardianship, proximity to potential offenders, attractiveness of targets and definitional properties of specific crimes.
FEBRUARY 3, 2013 INVESTIGATIVES METHODOLOGY IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE A crime laboratory - often shortened to crime lab - is a scientific laboratory, using primarily forensic science for the purpose of examining evidence from criminal cases. These labs generally use forensic science to examine evidences. After examination, they provide reports and opinion testimony. The testimony and reports are presented before a court of law. In the U.S., crime laboratories are operated both at public and private levels.
Along with those programs came the NCVS or National Crime Victimization Survey, this survey is a self-reporting survey which victims report their own incidents. Although each are used to record crime for the nation, they each have their own uses and are used differently. The UCR crime reports are used in many ways, they provide law enforcement with date for use in police operations and planning for the future. The news and media also utilize the reports as well to inform the public about crime. Data is recorded by cities, counties, colleges, and states and submitted to the UCR.
Indictable offences are the more serious crimes such as murder, armed robbery, sexual assault, drug trafficking and arson. These offences are tried by a judge and jury in District or Supreme Courts. A preliminary (committal) hearing is held in Local Court before a magistrate to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for a ‘prima facie’ case. The prosecution is required to produce evidence and witnesses. The process of criminal prosecution begins when a person (usually a police officer) lays information before a court or a justice of the peace.
Narrative of Crime Scene Sketches are imperative when it comes to detailing in full the placement of items and or bodies at crime scenes. Usually the sketch is often extremely important and describes in detail what words can’t (Hess & Orthmann, 2010). Police often use crime scene sketches in their investigation. Rough and final sketches detail the physical facts, show the sequence of events, and establish location between objects and evidence at the scene (Hess & Orthmann, 2010). On November 23rd, 2011 a crime scene unit was dispatched to a home on 4875 Butterfly Lane in Syracuse, NY.