Minor In Forensic Science - Background
Forensic science is the application of the scientific method to the investigation of the violation of criminal and civil laws and to the apprehension and prosecution of violators. Forensic science is based on the guiding principle that when two objects come into contact, there is a transfer of trace evidence. This transfer may lead to the identification of the people or objects involved in a crime as well as a description of what occurred during its commission. Forensic science has involved almost every known scientific discipline and art. The Department of Criminal Justice has offered a sequence of courses in the field of forensic science for many years. Students majoring in criminal justice and other majors have taken these courses as electives and have expressed interest in the department offering a formal minor in the area.
The courses offered in the Forensic Science minor are designed to familiarize those individuals majoring in criminal justice or related fields to the methods and techniques currently employed in field so that they have a working knowledge and understanding of the technical world of this fascinating discipline. This minor is not designed to train individuals to be forensic scientists, which requires extensive education in biology, chemistry and physics including graduate level studies and specialization. A minor in Forensic Science would be beneficial to those graduates in criminal justice who pursue careers in the criminal justice system at the local, state and federal levels as law enforcement officers, intelligence officers, investigators, criminal lawyers, crime scene technicians, etc. While these individuals may not have full responsibility for analyzing different types of evidence recovered during a criminal investigation, they may be intimately involved in the activities resulting in the investigation, apprehension, arrest and eventual conviction of criminals. It is imperative that these individuals, whether street police or homicide detectives, understand the technical world of forensic science. The demand for having an understanding of forensic science confronts the law enforcement professional all the way from the crime scene to the courtroom:
• Crime Scene: An understanding of forensic science allows for the recognition and interpretation of evidence at the scene. This will help in the preservation and collection of valuable evidence and give the investigator forensic leads before leaving the scene.• Crime Laboratory: An understanding of forensic science allows the investigator to comprehend the results presented in laboratory reports. In addition, this understanding results in better communication between the investigator and crime laboratory personnel. This will assist all individuals involved in obtaining the most information from the forensic evidence recovered from the crime scene.
• The Courtroom: The ever-increasing amount of interest in forensic science by the public creates juries that thirst for the presentation of physical evidence in court. An understanding of forensic science will allow both investigators and attorneys (prosecutors and defense attorneys) to discuss forensic evidence intelligently. He or she will know the value and limitations of forensic science and will be able to convey this to the jury. The jury can then listen to the forensic scientist's testimony with a better understanding of the case.
Modern forensic analysis requires a collaborative and systematic approach to crime-scene investigation and collection of evidence. With the specter of both domestic and foreign terrorist acts on American soil, the role of forensic science has taken on new significance in the investigation of both completed terrorist crimes as well as the prevention and control of future crimes against homeland security. It is very important that programs in criminal justice provide future professionals with a working knowledge of the theory and application of forensic science. The future of forensics is likely to be involved in helping to determine the underlying reasons for crime.