1 - A Summary of Forensic Technology

Forensic Science is the term often used to describe the science used at crime scenes. The science of forensics is growing all the time, and there are new innovations being brought into the forensic world every day. Forensics uses many different types of technologies, from computer systems that store informational files on past convicts to specialized equipment used to test DNA. The world of solving crimes is still developing even today, and soon enough will be mainly technologically based. Specialized and new forensic programs are being introduced at universities and colleges, and TV productions, like Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) are publicizing the modern technology used in investigating crime scenes.
Toxicology (the branch of science concerned with the nature, effects, and detection of poisons), entomology (the branch of zoology concerned with the study of insects), and anthropology (the science of human zoology, evolution, and ecology) are all common tools used to connect suspects to crime scenes, make timelines, and finally sentence felons. Forensic processors, analysts, and field workers all use some sort of technologic devices. For example, if a hair that is found at the crime scene that is different than that of the victim’s, the forensic field workers take it into evidence and get an analyst to test for the unique DNA. Not only the machines that are used to extract relevant DNA strands from the hair follicle, but also the computer system called CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) – used to store DNA profiles of individuals convicted of sex offenses and other violent crimes, such as homicide – is very technological.
From fraud and corporate theft, to other crimes such as murder, computers are now playing a large role in decoding criminal puzzles. Without these programs, systems, and tools, solving crimes and convicting people would be very difficult.