Abstract
This paper examines the use of forensic science in police investigations through the example of the JonBenet Ramsey murder case. The paper describes that forensic evidence is widely used by investigators in homicide cases, in order to gather clues from available physical evidence. It illustrates through the JonBenet case that apparently insignificant pieces of evidence found through forensic methods can help in pointing out possible suspects when no other tangible proof is available.

From the Paper
"JonBenet Ramsey murder took place on Christmas night in 1996 but even after more than five years of investigations, no charges have been levied and no indictment has been made. During the initial investigations too, it was clear that police and other investigation agencies did not have ample evidence to find out who the real killer was, even though fingers were pointed at several people including the Ramsey family members. Due to insufficient tangible evidence, crime-investigation branches were forced to take help of forensic testing, something which many view with skepticism. Forensic evidence refers to detailed analysis of things found at the murder scene including apparently vague and elusive pieces of evidence such as hair, fingerprints, body fluids, handwriting etc."

Tags:dna, fingerprint, physical, evidence, science, police, handwriting, proof

From the Paper
"Crime Scene Investigation

Crime scenes contain the forensic evidence required to apprehend dangerous criminals. The proper collection and processing of physical evidence is of primary importance to most police investigations. Evidence can not only establish the fact of the offense and identify the perpetrator, it may even lead to a conviction. Unfortunately though, poorly conducted crime scene investigations can somet
imes either destroy evidence or render it useless.

The primary responsibilities of the initial responder to a crime include the following: (1) to preserve life; and (2) to control suspects and witnesses. Once these two objectives have been achieved, the initial responder should focus their attention on protecting the crime scene. The importance of preserving the ..."

Abstract
The article outlines the development of forensic science over the past 50 years and its growing contribution to crime solving. It also presents some case studies of court cases and deals with the roll of forensic evidence in the courtroom. The author points out that until DNA testing was introduced in the early 1980s the main form of forensic identification was fingerprinting which is not accepted by all as valid evidence.

From the Paper
"Though forensic science has been aiding police work for a long time, it is only in the last two decades that it gained any real prominence. With better technologies being adopted by police departments worldwide, forensic evidence stands a better chance of entering formal investigations. But while these technologies have helped accentuate the significance of forensic science, they have also played a dominant role in discrediting forensic evidence. For example finger printing which is the oldest form of forensic evidence is widely being considered part of junk science that should be kept out of the court. Similarly no case involving DNA matching as primary evidence has ever made it to the Supreme Court in the United States."

Tags:fingerprint, DNA, innocence

Abstract
Criminal identification procedures in the 21st century is an ever-changing and remarkable endeavor that has become something that law enforcement has been leaning towards for some time now. This essay entails how DNA testing and advance fingerprinting has taken law enforcement into the next century.

From the Paper
"The criminal identification process is a long, but unique way that our justice system strives to make sure that individuals are not mistaken for crimes committed in an act of an offense. For example; DNA based identification is a topic that either excites people, or strikes fear into them. In the past, DNA identification systems were looked upon with much skepticism and took much criticism due to the inaccuracy in its predictions."

Tags:future, forensics

Abstract
This paper discusses the importance of forensic science to policing and criminal investigations, court processes, and security efforts. It then explains the accuracy of the media representation of forensic science and how the media influence popular opinion in justice-related issues.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Importance of Forensic to Policing

From the Paper
"Forensic science is a science made use of for the intentions of the law, and offers unbiased scientific evidence for use in the in a criminal investigation, courts of law, and a trial. Forensic science is a range of topics, illustrating mainly from chemistry and biology, but also psychology, social science, geology, and physics. Forensic science examples are the use of gas chromatography to categorize detained drugs, odontology practitioners to provide information to help identify a victim's remains that is unrecognizable, and DNA profiling to help classify a murder suspect from a bloodstain or hair obtained at the crime scene (Standfordshire, 2007)."

Tags:dna, media, criminal, investigation, court

Abstract
This paper discusses how hairs and fibers are used in forensic research. The author explains the properties of hair, and how knowing the many varieties can help in solving a crime. Similarly, the author provides charts of various fibers and explains how a scientist can utilize this information.

From the Paper
"You brush up against countless people and surfaces over the course of a day. Each one leaves remnants of the contact- including fibers and hair. You pick hairs off of your clothing, clean a hairbrush, or cut loose threads from a garment; all these tiny items can be identifiable in virtually any situation. In the cases of violence or struggle, large transfers of both take place; an attacker pulls a victim's hair out, a victim grabs at an attacker's shirt and rips it, getting fibers under his or her nails, etc. Each piece of this minute evidence provides a means of identification and the ability to solve a crime."

Tags:crime, fibers, hairs, forensics

Abstract
This paper relates that, although a gun culture in Britain lags far behind other countries, especially the United States, there has been a steady and disturbing increase in gun related crimes. Next, the author uses British government statistics and external academic studies to support this claim; however, the author warns that one must be careful not to exaggerate this increase as inadvertently has been done by the media. The paper stresses that gun crimes in Britain are mostly confined to geographical areas and demographic groups that display societal dysfunctions and problems, which lead to gun crimes.

From the Paper
"Alternately, powder pattern deposits approach the question of evidence gathering from a different perspective and as a consequence allows for different benefits to be derived. The firing of a gun results in various powder deposits leaving the gun itself. As such, if a gun is fired at a target that lies in close proximity then the powders that are omitted can land on the target itself. The powders themselves can consist of one or all of a variety of different substances including nitrate, lead and gunpowder and may be burned or unburned."

Tags:progression statistics, inner cities, media coverage, social factors

Abstract
This paper lays out how DNA has become a vital tool is criminal investigations. Areas that are discussed are how even with the smallest drop of blood it can link a suspect to a crime. The paper shows how the use of DNA database evidence also assists in solving old crimes by linking a suspect. As the technology continues to change DNA will be extracted from many other areas such as even fingerprint oils. DNA testing has accomplished a great deal in opening up new sources of forensic evidence, its full potential to identify perpetrators and exonerate people falsely convicted has yet to be realized.

From the Paper
"First developed in England in 1985, DNA testing takes advantage of the fact that, with the exception of identical twins, the genetic material of each person is unique. DNA is the chemical deoxyribonucleic acid, which carries the genetic code of each human's body, the genetic blueprint we inherit from our parents. DNA, while not actually a part of saliva, urine, perspiration or tears, is found in one place, the nucleus of cells. Since these cells are found in all bodily fluids, tissue and hair, DNA is an omnipresent residue that trails us wherever we go. These physical properties of DNA have made it an important tool in fighting crime."

Tags:biological, crime, criminal, evidence, fbi, forensics, investigations, justice, police, victims

Abstract
This paper investigates the forensic science of criminal profiling. It gives a brief introduction of its history and first use, then explores how effective it has been in solving crimes. Arguments against its use are presented, and a conclusion on how to enhance its usefulness is also included.

From the Paper
"When it comes to solving crimes, law enforcement agencies use numerous tools, resources, and people to aid them in their search for answers. One rather new resource comes from the field of forensic science, and more precisely from the field of forensic psychology. Law enforcement agencies use forensic psychologists to construct certain characteristics about a criminal who commits a certain crime; the characteristics are then formed into a criminal profile (offender profile in the United Kingdom). The law enforcement agencies then use these profiles to help identify, apprehend, and prosecute the criminals. This paper will examine criminal profiling to see whether or not it is an accurate and truly useful resource in the ever-evolving fight against crime."

Tags:offender, police, detective, convict, fbi, science, arrest, justice

Abstract
The paper discusses how the contribution of a positivist methodology to criminology cannot be underestimated and how the very name criminology did not become common until the 1890?s and the rise of positivism. It looks at how the work of Cesare Lombroso established a new method of conducting criminal inquiry even though the work of Guerry and Quetelet on French crime statistics and social data had already introduced a positivistic approach into the study of crime especially with regard to the social links with criminal behaviour. It also explores how the work of the Italian School of Criminology (scula positiva) with people like Enrico Ferri used the methodology that Cesare Lombroso introduced but applied them to different areas of inquiry. It shows how this multi-factor scientific approach allowed the science of crime to develop and become an internationally recognised academic field and encouraged people all over the world to try and search for causal links between crime and various factors like poverty and education levels.

From the Paper
"The work of Lombroso was new and radical but what is more important to the development of positivism and its subsequent influence on modern criminology were the methods that he employed in his study. The scientific methods he used revolutionised the study of crime, his new model of approach sought to identify, categorise and measure differences between criminals. Lombroso published his findings in 1876 in L?Umo Delinquente (The Delinquent Mind) and his work and methods gave rise to a new international movement. The Italian School of Criminology (scula positiva) emerged and took the methodology of Lombroso and expanded upon them. The work of people such as Enrico Ferri according to David Garland, "showed a considerable diversity and eclecticism." The "French School" focused mainly upon the sociological and environmental determinants of crime and the "German School" included the study criminalistics and the development of new forensic techniques."

Tags:durkheim, lombroso, poverty, education