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| The
Forensic Laboratory |
| The forensic laboratory
is where the essence of forensic science takes place, with one objective
- to deduce all of what is possible from evidence. Thus, there is
the need for multiple departments, personnel and methods of analysis.
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Select one of the following topics to read more:
--> General
locations
--> The
principles
--> The
departments
--> Trace
evidence
--> Chemistry
--> Serology
--> Materials
--> Firearms
--> Photography
--> Others
--> Efficiency
and staff
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| Copyright
2004-2005 Thinkquest Team 00206 |
| General
Locations |
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| Forensic laboratories contain almost
all aspects of forensic science in one place, where skilled scientists
and specialists who focus on specific areas of forensic science work
together to unravel and solve even the most intricate of crimes. Forensic
laboratories are commonly attached to universities so the scientists
who work there can give students studying forensics a first hand experience.
Large police departments may have their own forensic laboratory but
otherwise, forensic laboratories are independently run. |
| Copyright
2004-2005 Thinkquest Team 00206 |
| The
Principles |
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| Forensic laboratories all run following
the same basic rules and regulations. Any item of evidence that enters
the lab must never come into contact with anything that could contaminate
it. Its progression through each of the lab's departments must therefore
be fully recorded so that it can be perused at any time. Once the
sample is in the lab, the most straightforward diagnosis
is always carried out first i.e to verify that the item is really
what it is, before moving onto more expensive, but precise procedures
to discover the evidence the item might hold. Any tests that may destroy
the piece of evidence are carried out last, after all the other tests
have been completed. |
| Copyright
2004-2005 Thinkquest Team 00206 |
| The
Departments |
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| Forensic laboratories
contain the most up-to-date technology and techniques for enhancing
and analysing fingerprints, shoeprints and tyre marks. As specific
methods of analysing evidence at a crime scene are not practical,
the objects are recovered and brought into the lab. Below are some
common units found in many major labs. |
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| Trace
Evidence |
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In most labs, a unit
commonly known as a 'trace evidence unit' forms an area where scientists
look for clues in evidence such as hair, fabric, dust, fibre and skeletal
remains. Refer to the 'Every
Criminal Leaves A Trace' section.
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| Chemistry |
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| A chemistry unit is present
in any laboratory and is used to test samples of blood and urine
for alcohol, drugs and poisoning. Chemistry sets are also used
in the analysis of synthetic materials such medicines, dyes
and stains. Specialists in the area of chemistry also rely on
gas
chromatographs, mass
spectrometers and microscopes to identify chemicals.
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| Serology |
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| The serology unit specializes
in the identification and analysis of bloodstains and other
bodily fluids, as well as DNA sequencing. The most common of
the DNA tests, the polymerse
chain reaction, is now able to be performed in small
laboratories, thanks to advancements in this area, however,
the analysis of mitochondrial
DNA is still only performed in large forensic laboratories. |
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| Materials |
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| Material units are used to identify
and analyse metals, paints, ceramics, soil and wood in an attempt
to trace a crime back to a possible suspect. The biology unit
is in charge of analysing all biological evidence such a seeds
and plants. |
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| Firearms |
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| Firearms units
test weapons to see which weapon made the mark on an object
or wounded or killed a person. To be able to carry out these
tests, firearms specialists study the used bullet cartridges
and use shooting baths to fire weapons, identify the bullet
marks and establish the firing distance. |
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| Photography |
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| Photography plays a vital role
in the forensic laboratory, as photography is used to document
crime scene evidence. Processing resources and dark room services
allow specialists in the area of photography to analyse photographs
and bring the evidence to light. |
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| Others
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| Large labs also have arson
and explosives experts as well as specialists in software, computer
data, files, documents, audios and video recordings. The units
available in different labs will vary from one to the other,
however, the need for certain analyses and the budget of each
lab determines the availability of the departments. |
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| Efficiency
And Staff |
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| Forensics laboratories are extremely
complex and involve up to hundreds of people to ensure everything
runs quickly and efficiently. Staff ensures that evidence is
correctly booked in, prepared and stored, cleans and maintains
the lab, as well as servicing the various technical equipment
and keeping it looked after. Testing results from the evidence
is useful in solving one crime, but when added to a worldwide
database, the evidence can be linked to other crimes that the
suspect may have committed. |
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