Criminalistics is the application of various sciences to answer questions relating to examination and comparison of biological evidence, trace evidence, impression evidence (such as fingerprints, shoeprints, and tire tracks), controlled substances, firearms, and other evidence in criminal investigations. Some of the forensic science disciplines are detailed under.
Forensic odontology is the study of uniqueness of dentition of all human beings. Also known as Forensic Dentistry, it deals with proper handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence, which is then presented in the interest of justice. The evidence that may be derived from teeth is the age, in case of children, and also identification of the person to whom the teeth belong. This is done using dental records or ante-mortem that is, before death photographs. The other type of evidence is that of bite marks, left on either the victim (by the attacker), the perpetrator (from the victim of an attack), or on an object found at the crime scene. Bite marks have often been found on children who are abused.
Forensic toxicology refers to the use of toxicology to aid medico-legal investigation of death using poisoning. Several toxic substances do not produce characteristic lesions. In such as case, if a toxic reaction is suspected, visual investigation may not suffice. A forensic toxicologist must consider the context of an investigation, in particular, if any physical symptoms are recorded, as also any evidence collected at the crime scene that may narrow down the search, such as pill bottles, powders, trace residue, and any available chemicals. Armed with this information, a forensic toxicologist can determine which toxic substances were present, in what concentrations and the probable effects of those chemicals on the person. Determining the substance ingested is often complicated by the body's natural processes, as it is rare for a chemical to remain in its original form once in the body.
Forensic engineering deals with the causes of failure of devices and structures. It is the investigation of materials, products, structures or components that fail to operate or do not function as intended. A criminal aspect is possible in any investigation but is not always the case as civil cases are much more common. Generally, the purpose of any forensic engineering investigation is to locate cause or causes of failure with a view to improve performance or life of a component. It also involves the investigation of intellectual property claims, especially patents. Methods used in forensic investigations include reverse engineering, inspection of witness statements, a working knowledge of current standards, as well as the examination of the failed component itself. The fractured surface of a failed product can reveal much information as to how the item failed and the loading pattern prior to its failure.
Forensic economics is the study and interpretation of the economic damage evidence that includes present day calculations of lost earnings and benefits, the lost value of a business, lost business profits, lost value of household service, replacement labor costs and future medical care costs. Forensic accounting on the other hand, is defined as the study and interpretation of accounting evidence
Forensic psychology and forensic psychiatry deals with the legal aspects of human behavior. They deal with the application of psychological principles and knowledge to various legal activities involving child custody disputes, child abuse of an emotional, physical and sexual nature, assessing one's personal capacity to manage one's affairs, matters of competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility and personal injury and advising judges in matters relating to sentencing regarding various mitigates and the actuarial assessment of future risks.
Forensic anthropology is the application of physical anthropology in a legal setting, usually for the recovery and identification of the skeletal remains of the dead body whereas Forensic entomology deals with the examination of infesting insects in, on, and around human remains to assist in determination of time or location of death. Forensic evidence is referred to as the scientific evidence collected from a crime scene.
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