• Question: Evaluate how science could solve unsolved crimes; what would need to happen? How would evidence need to be handled? Evaluate the benefits and non-benefits of having scientific data and a full-scale report would enhance the crime enquiry.

    Asked by bones to Jamie, Jodie, Kat, Mark, Niamh on 17 Mar 2011 in Categories: . This question was also asked by anon-7006.
    • Photo: Niamh Nic Daeid

      Niamh Nic Daeid answered on 16 Mar 2011:

      Hi Bones

      Thats quite a big question ! Evidence is handled in a very precise way. You have to package items correctly and the type of packaging material used depends on the item (for example you put fire debris into bags made out of nylon which stops an ignitable liquid (like petrol) residues from escaping). Then you need to make sure that the packaging is sealed and labelled at the scene. this is to ensure what’s called the continuity of evidence .. which means that the whereabouts or the item is recorded and known from collection at the scene to presentation at a the court case. Packaging also has to protect the item from contamination or loss of material.

      Scientific evidence can add value to an investigation by providing factual information which may be interpreted in light of the prosecution and defence cases

    • Photo: Jamie Pringle

      Jamie Pringle answered on 16 Mar 2011:

      Hello Bones, you are really keen! Are you an evaluator of the project?!

      Personally for forensic geophysical surveys, they could fairly rapidly survey potential burial areas and pinpoint likely areas for forensic search teams to investigate further. The size of the search area is the main drawback at the moment with present technologies – the major problem with the still open Keith Bennett case on Saddleworth Moor.

      Scientific data and a report should be rigorous, un-biased, stand up in court and be adequately defended by the relevant expert. Im a bit stumped for non-benefits, other than the average jury may not understand the technical elements and would thus need to have a well written summary and eloquent expert.

      Some recent casework using trace evidence and probabilistic methods to suggest links between suspects and crime scenes has also been thrown out – not sure if this was due to the complicated maths or if the defence expert found some holes in the arguments!

    • Photo: Mark Hill

      Mark Hill answered on 17 Mar 2011:

      Hello Bones,

      I will give just one example of advances in science being in conflict with advances in identification of suspects.

      The advances in DNA profiling and identification techniques are fantastic, with more and more sensitive tests becoming available, for smaller and smaller DNA samples. However, with smaller samples being secured and developed must come the greater opportunity for very small quantities of other peoples DNA, investigators, scientists, or other passing members of the public, to contaminate a sample. If sensitivity of testing and profiling are to advance, so must the integrity of all of the people in the evidence chain, in the way scenes are examined and evidence handled. This also includes scene investigation equipment and packaging used in the ‘bagging and tagging’ of such evidence.

      Cold case forensic review is also an issue. Some cases, way before the commencement of DNA profiling, are now being analysed and solved with modern techniques. We don’t know how processes will develop in the future, but the collection and storage techniques and methods today, will no doubt impact upon analysis in the future.

      I hope that this illustrates one point.

      Mark.

    • Photo: Katherine Davies

      Katherine Davies answered on 17 Mar 2011:

      Hi

      In my case, if pupae were collected in previous investigations and unsuccessfully used, we may now be able to obtain an accurate time since death estimate based on the new methods we have developed. This does rely on them being preserved correctly, as putrefaction of samples can affect morphology and RNA significantly, preventing an accurate age estimate.

Comments

  • Photo: bones

    bones commented on :

    Thank you! I’m really interested in working with Forensic Science, so when I heard about this and our topic was Forensic Science I felt really ready for it. I’ve asked like 30 – 50 questions in 2-3 days! So I’m really interested about what you can do. I’m not in to win anything just to learn, again thank you so much!