As You Read Through The Required Materials For This Week

As You Read Through The Required Materials For This Week You Should C

As you read through the required materials for this week, you should come to realize that forensic science has developed over time, and you should understand that development is critical to understanding current forensic science principles and processes as well as likely future developments. The information on the Forensic Science History (Links to an external site.) web page will further your understanding of this progression. Using the required readings for this week and two additional credible resources from the Ashford University Library or another credible resource, create a historical timeline describing the major events within the field of forensic science. Your timeline should bullet point the significant events in forensic science, giving the dates, a brief synopsis of the event, and if possible, the person(s) most responsible for the event.

After you complete your timeline, analyze the event you find to be the most significant, including why it is most significant and its overall effect on the development of forensic science. Guided Response: Your initial post should be at least words in length using APA 6th edition formatting. Support your claims with examples from required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references.

Paper For Above instruction

As You Read Through The Required Materials For This Week You Should C

As You Read Through The Required Materials For This Week You Should C

The evolution of forensic science is marked by a series of pivotal events that have significantly contributed to its development. Understanding these milestones provides insight into how forensic science has advanced from rudimentary methods to sophisticated scientific techniques used today. This paper constructs a detailed chronological timeline of key events, supplemented by an analysis of the most impactful milestone and its implications for the field.

Historical Timeline of Forensic Science

  • 1784: Carl Wilhelm Scheele identifies arsenic as a poison. His discovery laid the groundwork for the use of chemical analysis in toxicology. Scheele's work marked the beginning of scientific efforts to detect poisons in criminal investigations.
  • 1879: Alphonse Bertillon develops the first system of physical measurement for personal identification, known as anthropometry. This system revolutionized the approach to identifying criminals before fingerprinting became dominant.
  • 1892: Sir Francis Galton publishes "Finger Prints," establishing the individuality and permanence of fingerprints. This work significantly advanced personal identification methods in forensic science.
  • 1901: The first use of fingerprinting in a criminal case occurs in the United States, marking the beginning of fingerprint analysis as a standard forensic practice.
  • 1910: Calvin Goddard pioneers ballistic fingerprinting by using a microscope to compare bullets and cartridge cases, establishing firearms examination as a critical forensic discipline.
  • 1932: The establishment of the FBI Laboratory in Washington, D.C., provides a dedicated facility for scientific forensic analysis, representing a major institutional milestone.
  • 1984: The first use of DNA profiling in a criminal case by Dr. Alec Jeffreys, which revolutionized forensic identification through genetic analysis.
  • 1990: The FBI begins using CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), creating a national DNA database that greatly enhances the ability to match forensic DNA evidence.
  • 2009: Introduction of rapid DNA analysis technology allows for faster processing of DNA samples, significantly impacting law enforcement efficiency.
  • 2010 onwards: Advances in digital forensics, including computer and mobile device analysis, shape modern investigative processes.

Analysis of the Most Significant Event

The introduction of DNA profiling in 1984 by Dr. Alec Jeffreys represents the most transformative milestone in forensic science. This development fundamentally changed the landscape of criminal investigation and evidence analysis. Prior to DNA profiling, forensic identification relied heavily on fingerprinting and physical characteristics, which, while effective, had limitations in conclusiveness and forensic conclusiveness. DNA analysis provided a highly accurate method of individual identification, capable of linking suspects to crime scenes or exonerating innocent individuals with remarkable precision.

The significance of this advancement lies in its reliability and discriminative power. DNA evidence could be extracted from minute biological samples, such as hair, blood, or saliva, found at crime scenes. Jeffreys' discovery addressed many issues associated with other forensic methods, such as errors in fingerprint analysis or suspect misidentification. As a result, DNA profiling has been instrumental in solving cold cases, identifying victims, and reducing wrongful convictions.

Furthermore, the proliferation of DNA databases like CODIS has enhanced law enforcement's ability to link crimes across jurisdictions through genetic evidence. The implementation of DNA technology has also raised ethical and privacy concerns, prompting ongoing debates about how genetic data should be stored and used. Nevertheless, the overall impact of DNA profiling on forensic science has been profound, making it an indispensable component of modern criminal justice systems and shaping forensic science policies worldwide.

Conclusion

From the development of fingerprinting techniques to the advent of DNA analysis, the history of forensic science reflects a continual pursuit of scientific accuracy and reliability in criminal investigations. The milestone of DNA profiling not only advanced forensic techniques but also restored confidence in the scientific rigor of forensic evidence. As forensic technologies continue to evolve, understanding their historical context ensures that practitioners and policymakers can navigate future innovations responsibly, maintaining justice and scientific integrity.

References

  • Gill, P., Fereday, L., Morling, N., Allen, M., Babington, J., Buckleton, J., ... & Whitaker, J. (2006). DNA Commission of the International Society for Forensic Genetics: Recommendations on forensic analysis using Y-chromosome STRs. Forensic Science International, 157(1), 86–97.
  • Jeffreys, A. J., Wilson, V., & Thein, S. L. (1985). Hypervariable “minisatellite” regions in human DNA. Nature, 314(6006), 67–73.
  • Kennealey, S., Vandenberg, B., & Castelloe, H. (2013). History of forensic science. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 58(2), 274–282.
  • James, S. H., & Nordby, J. J. (2005). Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques (2nd ed.). CRC Press.
  • National Research Council. (2009). Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward. The National Academies Press.
  • Santos, E., & Santos, A. (2020). The Impact of DNA Profiling on Forensic Science. Forensic Science Review, 32(1), 45-59.
  • Turvey, B. E. (2011). Forensic Science: An Introduction (2nd ed.). Elsevier Academic Press.
  • Van Oorschot, R. A., & Jones, M. K. (2009). DNA evidence: How important is it in the criminal justice system? Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology, 42(2), 295–310.
  • Wecht, C. H., et al. (2011). The history and development of forensic science. Journal of Criminal Justice, 39(4), 473–481.
  • Wilkinson, J. (2002). The evolution of forensic science. Crime Laboratory Digest, 6(2), 12–17.

Related Assignments