Forensic Scientists

-are usually university trained professionals who work in their field of speciality and lend their skill to legal

investigations.

Forensic science is not a specific branch of science – it is a general term for many disciplines used in crime

scene investigation

Forensic Biologists

• Look at the genetics of those involved in the crime• Look at blood types and DNA to

match suspects to evidence

Forensic Chemist

• Analyses substances found at the crime scene.• They will identify what a substance was use

eg: what sort of explosive or what drug was used.

• If they suspect poisoning they will engage a Toxicologist or Chemist to identify the poison.

Forensic Odontology

•These scientists investigate dental evidence found at the crime scene.•They help to identify unknown corpses.•Often called to scenes where there are mass causalities.

Forensic Pathologist

• These investigators are licensed Pathologists in charge of examining bodies to determine things such as: The cause of death, wounds and injuries• Carries out the Post Mortem (medical

examination to determine how the person died)

Forensic Anthropologist

- Help to identify decomposed, burned or unrecognisable bodies

- Work often with only skeletal remains- Analyse age of bones from their markings

which helps to establish the time of death and possible cause

Forensic Psychiatrist

• Medically trained doctors who evaluate a person’s mental state at the time of the offence and during the trial.

• They can be called upon to give a psychological assessment regarding the care for prisoners and mentally ill offenders.

Forensic Psychologist

• NOT medical practitioners• They perform counselling and therapy for

depression, relationship breakdown and grief• Assist with child custody disputes and child

abuse• Can advise judges on the defendants/victim’s

state of mind

Computer Forensics• This investigator ceases computers, office

workstations, CD’s, laptops and any significant electronic device from a crime scene or which may form part of a crime scene

• They look at data storage and processing equipment to determine if it has been used for illegal or unusual activities

Forensic Entomology

• A Forensic Entomologist studies the life cycles of insects eg: flies which feed on corpses

• They can determine if a body has been moved to another location based on the insects found at the scene.

• Botanists can use their knowledge to investigate evidence such as plants, seed and soil to place a suspect at the scene o f a crime.

• Soil from a different location could be found in a boot print at the scene or a pollen grain in the soil might be traced back to plant from the suspect’s garden.