Introduction to Forensics and Criminology

Forensic science is a "hands on" science, often engaged in crime solving at the molecular level. Criminology is a more theoretical practice, seeking to understand the cause of crime, and studying criminal behavior in the context of societal impacts and responses. Criminologists seek to prevent crime, as well as to improve the workings of the criminal justice and correctional systems.

Forensic science utilizes scientific disciplines in relation to specific questions of law. When they are working in the field, forensic scientists seek to establish a positive trace or link between a suspect and a crime scene or victim, by means of physical evidence, such as fibers, textile fragments, tire or shoe imprints, tool or die markings, or materials used to create incendiary devices or to start fires.

Forensic scientists bring an increasingly sophisticated array of tools to their task. They examine physiological evidence such as blood, semen, fingerprints (see "Is Fingerprint Identification a 'Science'"), ear prints, other bodily fluids or cellular materials, and hair samples, taken from the scene or left on the victim, and attempt to generate plausible lists of suspected perpetrators.

Modern molecular biology in the form of DNA analysis has proved a powerful tool (see "DNA Evidence and Miscarriages of Justice", providing powerful evidence to convict, acquit, prove, or even exhonorate.

Forensic scientists identify weapons and ammunition or projectiles by means of ballistics studies and a ballistic database. (See "Does the United States Need a National Database for Ballistic Fingerprints?".)

Forensic scientists also examine questioned documents for authenticity and provenance and use highly specialized techniques and equipment. In "Computer Forensics," the new science of digital forensics is introduced, which involves the systematic recovery of data from digital storage devices such as computer discs, iPods, cell phones, digital cameras, and personal digital assistants, for use in law enforcement.

Criminologists utilize the social, behavioral, and physical sciences as framework for engaging in study of the underlying causes of criminal behavior; they examine the demographics, environmental variables, socioeconomics, cognitive, and psychological precursors to the development of criminal behavior. For an early application of these techniques see "A Comparative Study of the Intelligence of Delinquent Girls."