ANNA MARIE V.

MIRANDA

BS CRIMINOLOGY 3A-2

1. How do you define forensic science in your own understanding?

 I encountered the word "Forensic Science" in Ma'am Gina S. Millamina in the subject
of Forensic Photography if I am not mistaken. But it is not discussed very well
because we didn't focus on it. In my own understanding and based on what I have
remembered, the word "Forensic Science" is the application of science in law. In
other words, applying the knowledge and technology of science to the definition and
enforcement of laws. Through forensic science, it can help us to find out, determine,
or identify who is or are the criminal or criminals. How did I say so? Let's have an
example to have a better explanation. Ben killed Dino using a knife. In his haste to
escape so that no one can see him, he left the knife beside Dino. Upon the arrival of
the investigators in the crime scene, Noel (one of the investigators) carefully dusts a
knife for fingerprints. As the black powder is spread across the knife, a faint
fingerprint begins to appear. Noel carefully lifts the print and takes it back to the
laboratory. When the fingerprint is entered into the computer, a possible match is
identified, and Ben is picked up for questioning. When Ben is asked how his
fingerprints could have ended up at the crime scene, he confesses to the murder.
With that example, we saw how the forensic science really important in finding,
determining or identifying criminal or criminals. In other words, forensic science
plays a very important role in solving crimes.

2. Make a comparison at the time that there is no forensic science from the time that
there is no forensic science from the time that forensic science is discovered and used.
 Imagine you are in court, accused of a crime that you know you didn’t commit. Now
imagine a scientist takes the stand and starts explaining to the court how your DNA
is on the murder weapon. Forensic science is nothing short of a technological
success story it is possible to detect and identify forensic traces at greater levels of
resolution and accuracy than ever before, and we can capture, retain and search
more data than at any other time in history. How did I say so? I will based my
explanation on what Sir Romeo Caloza discussed in our last meeting where in, there
are 336 have been exonerations since forensic identification such as DNA has been
introduced to the 1980. With that, I can say that if the forensic identification such as
DNA was not introduced in 1980, that 336 cases are not yet enlightened, cleared or
solved up until now. Or in other words, the progress of the case or cases is or are
slow because it takes a long time to find out, determine or identify the person who
 committed the crime or should I say the criminals. As what they have said, forensic
science is that piece without which the puzzle of a criminal investigation is
incomplete. Or in other words, the application of forensic science, criminals can
never be convicted (just like before that there is no forensic science) unless an
eyewitness is present.

3. Select three scope of forensic science that you think it is very important. Why?
 There are Ten Scopes of Forensic Science and these are the following: Forensic
Biology or DNA, Forensic Odontology, Controlled Substances, Forensic Toxicology,
Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Pathology and Medico-legal Death Investigation,
Impression and Pattern Evidence, Trace Evidence, Cyber Forensics and last but not
the least Ballistics. For me, the three important scopes of forensic science are
Forensic Odontology, Forensic Pathology and lastly, Forensic Anthropology.
Let us first discuss the first scope that I think it is very important scope in forensic
science which is the Forensic Odontology. Forensic Odontology is a branch of
forensic medicine dealing with teeth and marks left by teeth (as in identifying
criminal suspects or the remains of a dead person). So, this is vital for me especially
when a victim can’t be identified by any other means or when a culprit bites a
victim. Since teeth have distinct patterns, the marks left behind can identify a
suspect or victim. Next, the second scope that I think it is very important scope in
forensic science is the Forensic Pathology. Forensic Pathology is pathology that
focuses on determining the cause of death by examining a corpse. From the
definition itself this is very important to find out cause of a death (by performing
autopsies), especially when it is suspected that the death was not due to natural
causes. And lastly, the third scope that I think it is very important scope in forensic
science is the Forensic Anthropology. Forensic Anthropology is the examination of
human skeletal remains. This is also very important to determine the identity of
unidentified human remains, interpret trauma, and estimate time since death.

4. Identify and explain other forensic science that you think would be useful in identifying
criminals.
 I think the other forensic science that would be useful in identifying criminals is the
Forensic Entomology. Forensic entomology is the science of collecting and analysing
insect evidence to aid in forensic investigations. Its main application is in the
determination of the minimum time since death in cases of suspicious death, either
by estimating the age of the oldest necrophagous insects that developed on the
corpse, or by analysing the insect species composition on the corpse. In addition,
toxicological and molecular examinations of these insects may help reveal the cause
of death or even the identity of a victim, by associating a larva with its last meal, for
example, in cases where insect evidence is left at a scene after human remains have
been deliberately removed. Some fly species can develop not only on corpses but on
living bodies too, causing myiasis. Analysis of larvae in such cases can demonstrate
the period of neglect of humans or animals. Without the appropriate professional
collection of insect evidence, an accurate and convincing presentation of such
evidence in court will be hampered or even impossible.