Programs such as CSI, CSI Miami etc are very popular and thoroughly entertaining but they have created what is know in academic and professional circles as the 'CSI effect' i.e. the perception of the near-infallibility of forensic science.
Given that this perception is wide of the mark, we thought it would be useful to investigate the essence of forensic science. What do those working in the field consider the main attributes of forensic science to be? How much importance do they give to these attributes? Do these attributes vary across different forensic science disciplines? What do those studying or thinking about studying forensic science think? What do the public think?
We appreciate that there are no right or wrong answers but we thought it would very useful and interesting to see if any themes develop. To get people thinking about this issue, we put together the following video and we will shortly publishing the views of a number of forensic scientists. However, please note that this discussion is open to all, so why not let us know what you think via the have your say form below.
The Forensic Science Formula Video
Have Your Say
Submissions
Name: Sarah Lee
Job: Crime Scene Analyst
From: Malaysia
Main Forensic Interests: DNA, crime scene investigation
Forensic Science Formula:
"Wherever he steps, whatever he touches, whatever he leaves, even unconsciously, will serve as a silent witness against him. Not only his fingerprints or his footprints, but his hair, the fibers from his clothes, the glass he breaks, the tool mark he leaves, the paint he scratches, the blood or semen he deposits or collects. All of these and more, bear mute witness against him. This is evidence that does not forget. It is not confused by the excitement of the moment. It is not absent because human witnesses are. It is factual evidence. Physical evidence cannot be wrong, it cannot perjure itself, it cannot be wholly absent. Only human failure to find it, study and understand it, can diminish its value."
(Paul L. Kirk. 1953. Crime investigation: physical evidence and the police laboratory. Interscience Publishers, Inc. New York)
Name: Neelam
Job: Student
From: India
Main Forensic Interests: Everything except dead body analysis.
Forensic Science Formula:
"Knowledge, presence of mind, concentration, team work and most important passion."
Name: Naomi
Job: Student
From: USA
Main Forensic Interests: Everything
Forensic Science Formula:
"Evidence never lies."
Name: Joe
Job: Student
From: Ireland
Main Forensic Interests: Ballistic/Explosives
Forensic Science Formula:
50% - Good Scientific Practice
50% - Integrity
"Integrity is just as important as the science because without it the science is worthless. Look at 'scientists' on both sides of any major debate, some will distort the science to prove themselves right rather than to determine what is right."
Name: Ali Raza
Job: Forensic Science Student
From: India
Main Forensic Interests: Document Examination and Fingerprints
Forensic Science Formula:
30% - Common Sense
50% - Skill/Knowledge
20% - Determination & Patience
"Forensics starts where science ends."
Name: Jazz
Job: Student
From: Malaysia
Main Forensic Interests: DNA fingerprinting
Forensic Science Formula:
40% - Interest/Passion
30% - Skill/Knowledge
15% - Thinking
10% - Finding Truth
5% - Satisfaction
Name: Laura
Job: Liberal Arts Math and Science student interested in forensic science and the criminal justice field.
From: Nassau County, NY, USA
Main Forensic Interests: Forensic Anthropology, DNA Analysis, Blood Splatter Analysis, Evidence Analysis, Crime Scene Investigation, Desire to Become An Expert Witness, Anything Science and Law
Forensic Science Formula:
30%- Skill/Education/Tools
25%- Passion/Reason/Will To Find Truth
15%- Interest/Achievements/Self-Satisfactory
10%- Justice/Proving The Criminals Guilty/ Setting Free the Innocent
10%- Accomplishment of Advancement in the Field
10%- Pain
100%- Remember the Victims
Name: Altrisha Robinson
From: Turks and Caicos Islands
Job: Currently studying forensics online
Main Forensic Interests: Forensic Entomology
Forensic Science Formula:
20% compassion
20% teamwork
30% skill
50% stupidity of criminals who help convict themselves more than they know
100% satisfaction of seeing the bad guys get what they deserve
Name: Shashi Kumar
From: Tirunelveli
Job: Student of criminology
Main Forensic Interests: Finger prints
Forensic Science Formula:
20% Skill
15% Analyse
25% Finding truth
10% Understanding
15% Thinking
15% Interest
Name: Victor Manso
Job: Forensic Science student planning to work with the Santa Rosa P.D.
From: New York, USA
Main Forensic Interests: Forensic Geology
Forensic Science Formula:
15% Understanding
20% Interest
20% Skills
30% Will Find Truth
15% Satisfaction
Name: Ruchishree
Job: BSc Student
From: Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Main Forensic Interests: Want to go into forensic science.
Forensic Science Formula:
10% Understanding
25% Interest
20% Tools
10% Skills
30% Will Find Truth
5% Satisfaction
Name: Hui Seong
Job: Technical Support Engineer for Forensic Equipment
From: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Main Forensic Interests: Forensic Document Examination
Forensic Science Formula:
15% Understanding in question document examination
20% Interest
15% Knowledge/skill
40% Tools/equipment
5% The will to find truth
5% Self satisfactory
Forensic Nurse Examiner From New Jersey
Main Forensic Interests: Sexual assault and death investigation
Forensic Science Formula:
10% compassion
15% teamwork
25% skill
50% stupidity of criminals who help convict themselves more than they know
100% satisfaction of seeing the bad guys get what they deserve
The CSI Effect
See following link for more information on The CSI Effect.