Forensic science plays a vital role in law enforcement and solving crimes. Technological progress in the 20 th and 21 st centuries have made forensic more reliable and advanced, making it an important component of crime resolution in the contemporary criminal justice system. Using scientific methods, forensic science investigates crime and examines evidence through DNA and fingerprint analysis, facial recognition, and digital forensic, which have led to the development of new forensics techniques. Advancements in forensic science are continuous, with new techniques being introduced each day in the advent of technology.
Forensic Science Contributions to Policing and Criminal investigations, Court Processes and Security Efforts
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The role of forensic science in criminal justice and legal is critical and is often overlooked. In criminal investigations, forensic science was initially used mainly in homicide and rape cases, but it is now being used to help in investigations of different crimes, including robbery, burglary, fraud, drug trafficking, and vehicle crimes (Ali, 2017). Without forensic science, the criminal investigation is incomplete. Law enforcers collect physical and digital evidence, all of which must be analyzed forensically in order to establish facts that are used in the courts. Additionally, forensic science is important in criminal profiling. Criminal profiling dated back to 1888 and was originally adapted and used by the FBI (Ali, 2017). Criminal profiling through forensic science involves an in-depth analysis of the crime scene, analysis of the incidence, which helps investigators to link an offender to the crime. Through criminal profiling, forensic scientists and investigators are able to narrow down suspects by determining a criminal's personality and behaviors.
In court processes, forensic evidence helps in solving cases. Forensic evidence is used in the exoneration and conviction of offenders. The use of forensic science in judicial proceedings dates back to early Rome (Ali, 2017). The legal system widely recognizes the role of forensic evidence in a criminal offender's trial because the use of scientific techniques minimizes chances of court biasness or injustice (Ali, 2017). An individual’s testimony in court can be subjective but forensic evidence is different as it is dependent on science which is objective and does not lie. A judge or jury can use forensic evidence in determining whether a case warrants a hearing or not. Forensic evidence provides crucial information to investigators, juries, and judges, which they use in determining whether the accused is guilty or not. The accuracy and objectivity of forensic evidence in court proceedings ensure adherence to the rule of law, and it can be used to ensure fairness in judicial proceedings.
Integrating forensic evidence in intelligence operations reduces, deters, and disrupts criminal activities leading to increased security. Through forensic intelligence, security agencies are able to effectively address the issues of security in a country. Forensic intelligence involves prior gathering and use of information in criminal inquiry to detect, prevent, investigate and prosecute crimes. Forensic data in crime analysis helps identify patterns and trends related to criminal activity, providing actionable intelligence that can be used to deter crime (Ali, 2017). Integrating forensic data into crime analysis and intelligence processes can be effective in ensuring security by various agencies through crime prevention. The forensic intelligence approach at the federal and state level enables law enforcers to detect crimes in advance, deterring crime. In the US, various departments are collaboratively using forensic intelligence to deter crimes such as terrorism and other criminal activities. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Intelligence Community, among other security departments, have increased their use of forensic science in their security efforts.
Media Representation of Forensic Science
Media exposure has brought forensic science into the public limelight through fact-based and fictional programs. The media's airing of different crime programs has created a certain level of forensic awareness to the public. Most crime-based programs show how evidence is used in criminal convictions, which has created knowledge among Americans regarding the use of forensic science in the criminal justice system (Hatter, 2020). The media representation of forensic science shapes the perceptions of viewers on the topic as well as the criminal justice system. The mainstream media and online platforms focus more on creating entertainment-based programs by incorporating elements of forensic science and the criminal justice system. The fictional shows may thus create some misconceptions regarding forensic science. Fact-based shows are based on actual crimes, and they play a crucial role in educating members of the public on forensic science. However, the production and editing of such shows can create misconceptions and biasness that can misguide the perception of the public in regard to forensic evidence. The media representation of forensic science may not be very accurate but is crucial in creating awareness for the public.
The media plays a key role in agenda-setting and in influencing the perception of people in relation to crime and justice. People discuss and form opinions on justice according to what they have been informed by the media. The media, through agenda-setting, can determine how people view justice in the country regardless of whether the media's representation is true or not (Hatter, 2020). The media edits fictional crime programs, and the media representation of crime through such programs distorts justice perception among members of the public by exaggerating crime which increases the public's fear of crime. Wrong media representations create a misconception about justice and the overall criminal justice system. On real crimes, the media may only air crimes that are newsworthy and which are likely to attract huge public viewing, especially violent crimes (Hatter, 2020). Therefore, the media has the capacity to inform the public regarding justice, increase fear of crime among public members, and create a distorted perception of crime and justice.
The Influence of ‘CSI’ Effect on the Judicial Process
The ‘CSI’ effect is the belief by the prosecutors and law enforcers that crime programs are influencing the jurors’ courtroom expectations which makes it difficult for them to convict defendants or win cases. Incased crime programs by the media have created a CSI effect which has resulted in idealizing forensic science producing irrational optimism in the juror's mind (Klentz et al., 2020). Jurors expect to see forensic evidence in every case, even those that do not require such evidence. The demand for more forensic evidence by the jurors has interfered with the judicial process making it difficult to prosecute defendants. The CSI effect has made 21 st -century jurors expect forensic science to be included in every trial, which does not always reflect on the reality of the case.
The CSI effect also has some positive impacts on the judicial process. The CSI and other crime shows have increased the jurors' knowledge on the use of scientific evidence in trials. Those who watch CSI shows have more legal knowledge compared to those who do not watch such shows (Klentz et al., 2020). Jurors with such knowledge know the relevant evidence to expect in a specific case. Increased awareness among the jurors positively impacts the criminal justice system and helps to solve cases fairly.
References
Ali, A. (2017). RoleofForensicScience.pdf - See discussions stats and author profiles for this publication at https\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/335378929 Role of: Course Hero . RoleofForensicScience.pdf - See discussions stats and author profiles for this publication at https\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/335378929 Role of | Course Hero. https://www.coursehero.com/file/76883733/RoleofForensicSciencepdf/.
Hatter, S. C. (2020). How Crime-Based Media Affect Perceptions of Crime, Race, and Fear of Crime . ScholarWorks. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/8617/.
Klentz, B. A., Winters, G. M., & Chapman, J. E. (2020). The CSI Effect and the impact of DNA evidence on mock jurors and jury deliberations. Psychology, Crime & Law , 26 (6), 552–570. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316x.2019.1708353
