All About Forensic & Investigative Sciences

Generally, crime scene is a place where the crime occurred. Crime scene reporting is an integral part of investigation and reconstruction. An Investigating Officer normally documents the crime scene with the help of photography, recording, sketching, and notes taking. Measurements for the overall crime scene and the documentation for permanent records, trial review, and crime reconstruction will be taken during crime scene sketching.  Usually, measurement taking is a tedious task and time consuming as well. It requires much effort and several personals involvement. Below, I would like to mention that in one of the study, how successfully I have used mobile applications in IoS, and Android to measure the crime scene and the evidences. This was done in a more sophisticated way and was way easier than the traditional measuring tape method.  The accuracy of smartphone applications for crime scene measurements has not been analyzed widely so far. Previously few works have been

What is Blood Spatter Analysis? Blood Spatter Analysis or Blood Pattern Analysis (BPA) is the examination of bloodstain shapes, locations, and distribution patterns, to provide an interpretation of the physical events that gave rise to their origin. In forensic investigations, it is ubiquitous to encounter blood on the crime scene. This blood can be in the form of a pool, dried stains, spatter, expirated blood, etc. Hence, the investigators are required to understand these bloodstains to interpret the events that have occurred on the crime scene, to create a possible hypothesis of the modus operandi, to identify the type of weapon, the direction of the blow, severity of the injury, applicable forces, etc. This whole interpretation is known as Blood Pattern Analysis or Blood Spatter Analysis. What are the Types of Blood Patterns? There are many classifications given by blood spatter analyst around the world. I will be using the most common here, to make it understand in

Dear All, You must be excited to know, how within fraction of seconds your biometric fingerprint is being recognized and verified. Let it be the attendance system, identity verification system, or for any other purpose. Fingerprint scanners are a real boon in proactive forensic industry. Though everything has its own limitations as well. let us understand how these fingerprint scanner works? Types of Fingerprint Scanners: Fingerprint sensors are commonly used for entry recognition and data security in smartphones and other wearables, as well as in the automotive industry and in smart home applications. The two most common fingerprint sensors in use today are optical sensors and capacitive sensors. Optical Fingerprint Scanner The working of an optical scanner is by pounding a light over the fingerprint placed over the sensor and taking a digital photo. The light-sensitive microchip generates the digital image (in the binary digit form) by looking at fingerprint ri

In past one decade this new domain of forensic science has emerged as a booming career option for the students interested in making their career in forensic science. Even in my 15 years career, I came across this just few years back. So, here we are going discuss about this fascinating domain of forensic science. Basically, it is the application of forensic science, combined with professional nursing experience as it is applied in law enforcement to public or legal proceedings. Moreover, when forensic health care aspects are combined with the registered nurse's bio-psycho-social education in the scientific investigation and treatment of trauma, death, violent or criminal activity and traumatic accidents within a clinical or community institution it is collectively called as 'Forensic Nursing'. What Forensic Nurses do? The forensic nurse acts as an impartial finder of fact; to use scientific principles and methods in identifying, recording, gathering and eva

As the world is expanding enormously, so as the requirements of the population. With these increased requirements, few industries are growing at high demand in public and private sectors such as banks, insurance companies, accounting sectors, and other corporate offices. In one sense, this is an excellent opportunity for forensic science graduates to shape their fantastic careers in these sectors. There are various opportunities available in the corporate world for forensic scientists, however, the requirement is to choose the correct specialization or opt for specific courses after their bachelors or masters in forensic science. As in many of the institutions, the current curriculum is insufficient to enter in the field of corporate, without a proper specialization. Following are some niche, where a forensic science graduate can make their career in the corporate sector. 1. Forensic Accountant/Forensic Auditor: I have already explained this field in detail in my pre

Forensic engineering is the use of engineering knowledge to determine why a machine or structure failed. As per the 'National Academy of Forensic Engineers' it is the application of engineering sciences in matters relating to, or possibly related to, the system of jurisprudence, including alternative dispute resolution. The forensic engineers are using reverse engineering to determine why a structure, material or part failed to perform as intended. Instead, if that failure caused injury, property damage or was connected to some other criminal case, those results can be used as evidence in court. Let us take an example of building collapse, bridge collapse, or plane crash; the forensic engineers are involved in identifying the cause, so that any legal action (if required), can be taken up by the Honorable Court to provide the justice to the society, nation, and/or the injured or the relatives. Then, forensic experts can use their findings in court as evidence. S

What is Forensic Accounting? Forensic accounting uses accounting, auditing, and analytical skills to perform an investigation into an individual's or business ' finances. Forensic accountants are trained to look beyond the numbers to address a situation's business reality. For fraud and embezzlement cases forensic accounting is often used to explain the nature of a financial crime for court.In another scenario, one could ask the forensic accountant to investigate many different types of fraud. Investigation is the process of deciding if criminal matters have occurred, such as theft of employees, securities fraud (including falsification of financial statements), identity theft or insurance fraud. FORENSIC AUDIT's/ ACCOUNTING's goal is to find the audit evidence that is legally acceptable and, in doing so, the company's corporate veil can be disregarded. Any fraud or neglect is considered following points? Is that material for the effect?

Most of us have heard about the term "Truth Serum," also called "Narco-Analysis," which has become one of the prime methods for crime detection or getting the truth from the suspect. Though there are always questions about the accuracy and admissibility of this test in the court of law, however, despite all controversies, it has become one of the widely used methods along with POLYGRAPGY (Lie Detection) and BRAIN MAPPING to get revealed the truth from the accused or the criminal.  What is Narco-Analysis? Generally speaking, it's a kind of psychotherapy performed on a person by administering certain drugs, placing the person in a semi-sleep state. A person can usually lie easily, but in this test the subject's self-consciousness is allowed to sink by intrusion into his nervous system. In such a situation there is an attempt to extract information in the form of hints about the crime as it becomes extremely difficult for the subject to lie unde

The Crime Scene is search for the physical evidences (visible or invisible). There are various types of search methods employed by the investigating officers and the forensic scientists at the scene of crime. The searching methods mainly depends on: Type of Crime (Rape, murder, burglary, theft, etc.) Nature of Crime (Homicide, suicide, or accident) Size of the crime scene (macroscopic or microscopic) Location of the crime scene (indoor, outdoor, combination of indoor or outdoor, or any remote area like underwater, desert, etc.) Complexity of the crime scene  Before deciding the search method, all the investigators and the forensic experts must follow the general guidelines (check list) to observe the crime scene after due recording: 1. Are the doors and windows locked or unlocked? Open or shut?  2. Are there signs of forced entry, such as tool marks or broken locks? 3. Is the house or the crime scene is in good order? If not, do