1
|
Why teach crime scene management to forensic university students? Sci Justice 2022; 62:735-739. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
2
|
Roux C, Bucht R, Crispino F, De Forest P, Lennard C, Margot P, Miranda MD, NicDaeid N, Ribaux O, Ross A, Willis S. The Sydney declaration - Revisiting the essence of forensic science through its fundamental principles. Forensic Sci Int 2022; 332:111182. [PMID: 35074711 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Unlike other more established disciplines, a shared understanding and broad acceptance of the essence of forensic science, its purpose, and fundamental principles are still missing or mis-represented. This foundation has been overlooked, although recognised by many forensic science forefathers and seen as critical to this discipline's advancement. The Sydney Declaration attempts to revisit the essence of forensic science through its foundational basis, beyond organisations, technicalities or protocols. It comprises a definition of forensic science and seven fundamental principles that emphasise the pivotal role of the trace as a vestige, or remnant, of an investigated activity. The Sydney Declaration also discusses critical features framing the forensic scientist's work, such as context, time asymmetry, the continuum of uncertainties, broad scientific knowledge, ethics, critical thinking, and logical reasoning. It is argued that the proposed principles should underpin the practice of forensic science and guide education and research directions. Ultimately, they will benefit forensic science as a whole to be more relevant, effective and reliable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claude Roux
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
| | - Rebecca Bucht
- Forensic Laboratory, Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, Finland
| | - Frank Crispino
- Laboratoire de Recherche en Criminalistique, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada
| | - Peter De Forest
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, USA
| | - Chris Lennard
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Australia
| | - Pierre Margot
- Ecole des Sciences Criminelles, Université de Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Niamh NicDaeid
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, University of Dundee, UK
| | - Olivier Ribaux
- Ecole des Sciences Criminelles, Université de Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | | | - Sheila Willis
- Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, University of Dundee, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ristenbatt RR, Hietpas J, De Forest PR, Margot PA. Traceology, criminalistics, and forensic science. J Forensic Sci 2021; 67:28-32. [PMID: 34396524 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
There is a serious issue within the forensic science community, which even extends outside of the field. The role of the scientist in the investigation of crime has been increasingly confined to the laboratory, which has been accompanied by the conflation of the terms forensic science and criminalistics. This unfortunate situation has been festering for years. To make matters worse, the era of the proactive, problem-defining, criminalist (generalist) is waning, and possibly over. Present-day "criminalists" are treated as little more than reactive, protocol-constrained, laboratory technicians, with few, if any, consequential crime scene roles. In most cases, these "criminalists" merely respond to routine requests from prosecutors and police. The absence of science at the front end of forensic investigations, i.e., the scene, has resulted in biased, ineffective, inefficient, and/or erroneous outcomes with immediate and long-term societal impacts. To disentangle this imbroglio, we propose the use of another term, traceology, which has seen limited use worldwide except in the field of archaeology. With respect to criminalistics, this term has been previously proposed by Margot (20-21). Traceology is an historical science, dealing with the examination, analysis, and scientific interpretation of event traces (signs or remnants) of earlier activities. In this commentary, we define and redefine familiar, but ambiguous, terms and concepts with the hope of recapturing the essence of criminalistics (32), which we suggest is best termed traceology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ralph R Ristenbatt
- Forensic Science Program, Eberly College of Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | | | - Peter R De Forest
- Department of Science (Professor Emeritus of Criminalistics, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pierre A Margot
- Ecole des Sciences Criminelles Police Scientifique (Professor Emeritus, Université de Lausanne (UNIL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Airlie M, Robertson J, Krosch MN, Brooks E. Contemporary issues in forensic science-Worldwide survey results. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 320:110704. [PMID: 33581657 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Forensic science continues to be openly challenged and criticized. The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of forensic workplaces and the perceived current and potential future issues from forensic scientists via a detailed survey. An online survey was designed and disseminated to forensic practitioners and researchers worldwide. 544 participants from more than 20 countries took part in the survey. Participants personally rated ten forensic disciplines with subjective methodologies, responded on a five-point Likert scale to 22 statements that addressed subjectivity and objectivity, validation and proficiency testing and error and bias and answered demographic questions relating to their workplace type, level of experience and qualifications. Participants also commented freely on forensic issues specifically important to them. The purpose of this paper is to provide the survey results and consensuses captured on several key issues. Overall participants believed forensic science must be valid and reliable and supported development of objective methodologies, validation and further investigation into the application statistics, use of error rates and implications of cognitive bias. Participants raised consensus concerns with the provision of expert evidence and other broader issues. This information and understanding from the forensic front line are essential for forensic science moving forward to best address current challenges and criticisms not only of forensic evidence for the court but for applications of forensic science beyond the courtroom.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Airlie
- University of Canberra, National Centre for Forensic Studies, Faculty of Science and Technology, 11 Kirinari Street, Bruce, ACT, 2617, Australia; Forensic Services Group, Queensland Police Service, Level 4, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia.
| | - James Robertson
- University of Canberra, National Centre for Forensic Studies, Faculty of Science and Technology, 11 Kirinari Street, Bruce, ACT, 2617, Australia
| | - Matt N Krosch
- Forensic Services Group, Queensland Police Service, Level 4, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Brooks
- University of Canberra, National Centre for Forensic Studies, Faculty of Science and Technology, 11 Kirinari Street, Bruce, ACT, 2617, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Harrison M. Optimising engagement between forensics & policing: Avoiding the dialogue of the deaf. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 321:110605. [PMID: 33640779 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Forensic science is increasing in the scale and scope of available or emergent capabilities to aid criminal investigations. Concurrently, investigations are increasing in complexity, with disciplines such as forensic ecology having an input into police work. The many specialisms comprising forensic ecology are helping authorities to counteract the trans-national and inter-jurisdictional criminal operations which are driven by global interconnectedness and the Internet. These factors, when combined with a rise in public oversight, and the media's unrealistic expectation that all crimes are solvable, produce a challenging environment for police investigators. This paper explores the author's experience of effective communication between police investigators and forensic practitioners and reflects on an emergent consultancy model of engagement. This option presents a change in the police operating environment, often with improved investigative outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Harrison
- Charles Sturt University, Australia; Law Enforcement Adviser International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), Initiative on Forensic Geology (IFG), Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Casey E, Zehnder A. Inter-regional digital forensic knowledge management: needs, challenges, and solutions. J Forensic Sci 2020; 66:619-629. [PMID: 33156519 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Increasing demand for digital evidence in criminal investigations is driving decentralization of forensic capabilities closer to the crime scene. Law enforcement agencies are struggling to keep pace with technological developments, cybercrime growth, and scientific advances. In federated environments, digital forensic knowledge and practices vary widely across regions. To reduce delays, wasted resources, missed opportunities, mistakes, and misinterpretations, there is a pressing need to balance the democratization of digital forensic capabilities with knowledge management and sharing between decentralized regions. There are multiple forms of knowledge to be managed, including procedural, technical, investigative, scientific, behavioral, crime analysis, and forensic intelligence. In addition, there are multiple knowledge producers and consumers, including police investigators, digital forensic practitioners, criminal intelligence analysts, attorneys, and judges. Knowledge management becomes even more challenging when multiple interdependent regions are involved, speaking different languages. Taking all of these factors into consideration, this work presents an inter-regional knowledge management solution for improving the quality, consistency, reliability, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and return on investment of digital forensic capabilities. The basis of this work is a community-driven initiative of Swiss regional police authorities. Interviews were conducted with 15 digital forensic units to determine their current knowledge management practices and needs. The results were then generalized into a prioritized set of requirements for inter-regional digital forensic knowledge management that may be applicable in other countries. These requirements were used to evaluate knowledge management platforms, and one was selected. Implementation, operations, and maintenance challenges of an inter-regional digital forensic knowledge management platform are discussed.
Collapse
|
7
|
|
8
|
Wilson LE, Gahan ME, Lennard C, Robertson J. Case study – crown prosecution of a British citizen for the extraterritorial murder of Sergeant First Class Randy Johnson, United States 2nd Cavalry Regiment. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2019.1637939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E. Wilson
- Australian Government Department of Defence, Defence Science and Technology Group, Australian Embassy, Washington, DC, USA
- National Centre for Forensic Studies (NCFS), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - Michelle E. Gahan
- National Centre for Forensic Studies (NCFS), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - Chris Lennard
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - James Robertson
- National Centre for Forensic Studies (NCFS), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mousseau V, Baechler S, Crispino F. Management of crime scene units by Quebec police senior managers: Insight on forensic knowledge and understanding of key stakeholders. Sci Justice 2019; 59:524-532. [PMID: 31472797 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
What do policing leaders think and know of forensic science? Beyond crime scene investigators or detectives, how do police senior managers perceive the role, utility and limitations of forensic science? Very few empirical studies have addressed the issue. Forensic scientsts should be concerned about the perception that law enforcement senior managers have of their discipline for two reasons. First, strategic and financial decision-makers are obviously key players in the overall administration and provision of forensic science, either as a supervisor, money provider or as a customer. Second, literature has highlighted that other actors involved in forensic science underestimate the scope and possibilities offered by forensic science, hence limiting its exploitation and potential. Following interviews with 18 police senior managers from Quebec (Canada), this study shows that they generally restrict forensic science to a reactive discipline whose role and utility is to identify offenders and support the Court. This understanding of forensic science, like that of many others including a significant share of forensic scientists, differs from the perception of other police activities in modern law enforcement agencies where proactive action is sought. Considering these findings and the growing body of literature which calls for forensic science to connect more tightly with policing and security, we advocate a more extensive education of police leaders regarding the scope of forensic science.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Mousseau
- School of Criminology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; International Centre for Comparative Criminology (ICCC), Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Forensic Research Group (Laboratoire de recherche en Criminalistique), Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Simon Baechler
- Forensic Research Group (Laboratoire de recherche en Criminalistique), Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada; Forensic Science Service, Police Neuchâteloise, Neuchâtel, Switzerland; School of Criminal Justice, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Frank Crispino
- International Centre for Comparative Criminology (ICCC), Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Forensic Research Group (Laboratoire de recherche en Criminalistique), Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada; Département de chimie, biochimie et physique, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wilson LE, Gahan ME, Lennard C, Robertson J. Why do we need a systems thinking approach to military forensic science in the contemporary world? AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2018.1515248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. E. Wilson
- Defence Science and Technology Group, Australian Government Department of Defence, Canberra, Australia
- National Centre for Forensic Studies (NCFS), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - M. E. Gahan
- National Centre for Forensic Studies (NCFS), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - C. Lennard
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - J. Robertson
- National Centre for Forensic Studies (NCFS), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wilson LE, Gahan ME, Lennard C, Robertson J. Developing a strategic forensic science risk management system as a component of the forensic science system of systems. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2018.1510032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. E. Wilson
- The Australian Government Department of Defence, Canberra, Australia
- National Centre for Forensic Studies (NCFS), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - M. E. Gahan
- National Centre for Forensic Studies (NCFS), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - C. Lennard
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - J. Robertson
- National Centre for Forensic Studies (NCFS), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Affiliation(s)
- Claude Roux
- Centre for Forensic Science, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Olivier Ribaux
- School Of Criminal Justice, Faculty of Law, Criminal Justice, and Public Administration, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Frank CRISPINO
- Forensic Science Research Group, Department Of Chemistry, Biochemistry And Physics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Wilson LE, Gahan ME, Lennard C, Robertson J. The forensic intelligence continuum in the military context. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2018.1459839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. E. Wilson
- Australian Government Department of Defence, Defence Science and Technology Group, Canberra, Australia
- National Centre for Forensic Studies (NCFS), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - M. E. Gahan
- National Centre for Forensic Studies (NCFS), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - C. Lennard
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - J. Robertson
- National Centre for Forensic Studies (NCFS), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Walsh SJ. Australasian forensic science summit 2016: the external future context and the case for change. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2017.1383572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon J. Walsh
- Specialist Operations, Australian Federal Police, Canberra, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wilson LE, Gahan ME, Lennard C, Robertson J. A systems approach to forensic science applied in the military domain. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2017.1309064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. E. Wilson
- Australian Defence Collage, the Australian Government Department of Defence, Canberra, Australia
- National Centre for Forensic Studies (NCFS), Faculty of Education, Science, Technology and Mathematics (ESTeM), University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - M. E. Gahan
- National Centre for Forensic Studies (NCFS), Faculty of Education, Science, Technology and Mathematics (ESTeM), University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - C. Lennard
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - J. Robertson
- National Centre for Forensic Studies (NCFS), Faculty of Education, Science, Technology and Mathematics (ESTeM), University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Mireault C, Ouellette V, Décary-Hétu D, Crispino F, Broséus J. Potentiel criminalistique de l'étude du trafic de drogues au Canada à partir des données collectées sur les cryptomarchés. CANADIAN SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCE JOURNAL 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/00085030.2016.1189229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
17
|
Roux C, Talbot-Wright B, Robertson J, Crispino F, Ribaux O. The end of the (forensic science) world as we know it? The example of trace evidence. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 370:rstb.2014.0260. [PMID: 26101285 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2014.0260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The dominant conception of forensic science as a patchwork of disciplines primarily assisting the criminal justice system (i.e. forensics) is in crisis or at least shows a series of anomalies and serious limitations. In recent years, symptoms of the crisis have been discussed in a number of reports by various commentators, without a doubt epitomized by the 2009 report by the US National Academies of Sciences (NAS 2009 Strengthening forensic science in the United States: a path forward). Although needed, but viewed as the solution to these drawbacks, the almost generalized adoption of stricter business models in forensic science casework compounded with ever-increasing normative and compliance processes not only place additional pressures on a discipline that already appears in difficulty, but also induce more fragmentation of the different forensic science tasks, a tenet many times denounced by the same NAS report and other similar reviews. One may ask whether these issues are not simply the result of an unfit paradigm. If this is the case, the current problems faced by forensic science may indicate future significant changes for the discipline. To facilitate broader discussion this presentation focuses on trace evidence, an area that is seminal to forensic science both for epistemological and historical reasons. There is, however, little doubt that this area is currently under siege worldwide. Current and future challenges faced by trace evidence are discussed along with some possible answers. The current situation ultimately presents some significant opportunities to re-invent not only trace evidence but also forensic science. Ultimately, a distinctive, more robust and more reliable science may emerge through rethinking the forensics paradigm built on specialisms, revisiting fundamental forensic science principles and adapting them to the twenty-first century.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claude Roux
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Benjamin Talbot-Wright
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - James Robertson
- National Centre for Forensic Studies, University of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Frank Crispino
- Département Chimie, biochimie et physique, Laboratoire de recherche en criminalistique, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, et Centre international de criminologie comparée, Canada
| | - Olivier Ribaux
- Ecole des Sciences Criminelles, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|