Forensics - Introduction

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Forensic science has been around for nearly 900 years. By definition, forensic science is the application of science to law in events subject to criminal or civil litigation. More commonly, it is applied to the investigation of criminal activity. Investigators turn to forensic scientists to discover additional evidence that requires specialized training to analyze and interpret.
Types of evidence that investigators look for include: fingerprints, palm prints, and footprints shoe prints fibers from clothes blood spatters DNA samples from hair, skin cells, blood, saliva residue from accelerants gunshot residue on hands and clothing bullet casings tool marks (marks left on a bullet by a gun when fired) insect and mold growth in a body as well as body temperature bullet residues around bullet holes pattern of gunshot residue spray gunpowder burns
Experts believe that forensic science will continue to evolve and provide exciting ways to help solve crimes. The current focus is to eliminate as many potential errors as possible from the analytic techniques to strengthen their use in investigations.