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Forensics vs Forensic Science

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If you bring up forensics in a conversation, those involved will often start thinking of scenes from the television show CSI (Crime Scene Investigation). It’s synonymous with scouring crime scenes for minute clues to help criminal investigators create leads in various cases.

Because of the misunderstanding that’s developed about criminal investigations and forensics, many don’t realize that there is an acute difference between forensics and forensic science.

Currently, forensic science gets shortened in most discussions to “forensics.” The word “forensic” actually relates to debates, and comes from the Latin word “forensis” or “of or before the forum.” This concept became most prominent in ancient Rome where both the accused and the accuser involved in a judicial case had to advance their arguments in front of a public forum. This led to the usage of the term “forensics” for both public debate and the presentation of legal evidence.

This concept of “evidence” is what has caused it to run parallel and merge with forensic science. As the judicial system evolved, so, too, did the evidence that was required in cases. No longer was it a matter of verbal debate; instead other forms of evidence were necessary. The concept, that being “forensic” or “before the forum” still holds true. The only thing that has changed is the type of evidence that’s being presented.

While some modern dictionaries will actually merge the two and provide similar or identical definitions, they are quite separate by origin and practical application.

The term forensics refers to public debate which includes the presentation of evidence and rhetoric. Forensic Science is something different. It deals specifically with the gathering, identification, research, and scientific interpretation of evidence to determine such things as who was involved in a crime.

In addition to confusing the terms forensics and forensic science, people often mistake forensic science for criminalistics. However, it’s important to keep these terms in context too. Forensic science involves any discipline that can be applied to evidence. Criminalistics is just one of the subdivisions of forensic science.

Some of the disciplines that fall under the umbrella of “forensic science” are:

-Computer Forensics
-Forensic Accounting
-Forensic Audio Engineering
-Forensic Linguistics
-Forensic Pathology
-Forensic Psychology
-Forensic Engineering
-Criminalistics

Criminalistics itself is the scientific discipline which brings together various natural sciences such as biology and chemistry to the examination, identification, and comparison of certain types of evidence. Criminalists deal with biological evidence including DNA and bodily fluids, trace evidence such as fibers, hair, and soil, and impression evidence such as fingerprints and tire tracks. They also are involved with ballistics, drug analysis, crime scene photography and reconstruction.

As you can see, the forensic sciences deal specifically with the research and examination of evidence so that such evidence can be admitted to and used within the legal system. Forensics on the other hand should be viewed not as the science behind the evidence, but as the presentation and use of the research once it’s completed.

Audible Forensics offers audio transfer and forensic audio services. Its sister company TransDual Forensics provides criminal justice and forensic transcription and translation services in both English and Spanish.

What is Forensic Science?

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Forensic science has a very high profile on TV and across the media in general. This profile includes both real world references to forensic science in such programs as The First 48, and fictional references to forensic science most notably in shows such as CSI, CSI Miami etc.

However, despite this very high profile, the question “What is Forensic Science” is an extremely common search engine phrase (Google, Yahoo, MSN, Ask etc).

What this shows, I think it’s fair to say, is that many people have a general idea of what forensic science is but they would struggle to come up with a definitive definition. The following information is presented with this very much in mind.

Forensic

From the Latin ‘Forensis’, meaning forum, specifically the Imperial Court of Rome.

Science

The systematic formulation of knowledge based on observation, experiment & induction. Science is organized knowledge (Immanuel Kant).

Forensic Science

Forensic science is really just science used in court
(Allan Jamieson, Director of the Forensic Institute, Edinburgh, UK)

Any science, used for the purposes of the law, is a forensic science. (American Academy of Forensic Sciences)

In essence then, forensic science is the application of scientific knowledge in a legal context.

Sources of Scientific Knowledge

There are many sources of scientific knowledge applied in a legal context. These Include:

Chemistry
Pathology
Toxicology
Dentistry
Anthropology
Engineering
The Forensic Scientist

By definition, a person who applies scientific knowledge in a legal context is a forensic scientist.

If you would like to find out more about the fascinating world of forensic science, you can do so by visiting the website http://www.all-about-forensic-science.com

Having worked as a lecturer in psychology in the UK, I recently moved to sunny Spain with my family, where I now work as a distance learning tutor and research dissertation supervisor.

Since 2000, I’ve been involved in collaborative research with teams of forensic scientists in the UK, US and Canada.

Keep right up-to-date with the world of forensic science by reading the forensic science blog.

The All About Forensic Science Blog

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/expert/David_A_Webb/34119

Study For A Forensic Science Degree Online

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Television programs like Cold Case Files and CSI have prompted an increase in the publics fascination with forensic science. What is not generally known, however, is that forensic science is a field that involves much more than is shown on television. Everyone knows that forensic scientists work in an area of law and are responsible for examining evidence to solve crimes. But they do more than work in labs, testing samples of DNA. Forensic scientists also visit crime scenes, study the crime locations, and are witnesses in court cases.

Sometimes, these scientists can make mistakes if they dont follow established procedures, which include keeping exact files on the evidence in a case. In some cases, these mistakes can have a negative impact on innocent lives. Several individuals have been sentenced to death on the basis of expert forensic evidence and testimony. Later on, it was discovered that these people were innocent, and the real criminals were apprehended. In these cases, science save an innocent life, and the courts could provide justice. Recently, over eleven individuals were released from a Chicago jail after new forensic evidence showed they were innocent. These people had already spent years in jail as a result of mistakes made in the legal system.

You can get a degree in forensic science online in just a few years. To earn a degree, you need to have a previous degree in biology, physics, chemistry, or physical science in order to register. Some online colleges require a minimum of a bachelors degree in one of these subjects before you can begin courses in forensic science. If you want to find a degree program in this field you should consult organizations such as the American Board of Criminalistic-ABC, American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors-ASCLD, National Forensic Science Tech Center-NSFTC, International Association of Forensic Science, and International Association for Identification-IAI and International Society for Forensic Genetics, and International Association for Identification-IAI and International Society for Forensic Genetics.

Degrees in forensic science may cover budget analysis, forensic accounting, working in a morgue or hospital, studying DNA, or working with computers. There are many areas in which you can work after getting a forensic science degree. Computer forensics involves investigations of evidence by tracking information via computer technology. It is a new field, but expertise in this area increases daily. Computer forensics involves extracting data from various media and presenting the evidence collected to the courts. This field uses extensive software programs and applications. The FBI, CIA, and other law enforcement agencies use forensic science with computers to resolve their cases.

An online forensics degree requires more work and specific background education than other online degrees, but if you want an exciting career with many opportunities and a chance to make a difference, do not let this keep you from pursuing on online degree in forensic science.

To find more advise about medically related qualifications visit http://medicalassistantssite.com

The Rewards of a Forensic Scientist Career

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There is no doubt that forensic scientist careers are a lot of fun, stable, existing and it is also a known fact that opportunities with regard to this field are only growing. Although there has been a terrible downfall in the economy of the world, forensic scientists have definitely managed to find a lot of success. This is an exciting field which offers many opportunities.

If you are looking to pursue a career in this field you need to be sure of doing the right thing to get there.

First things first, it is necessary to get a degree in order to find a suitable job in the field of forensic science. It is possible to get a degree possible anywhere, although it is very suitable for one to attend a traditional college for the same such as going to a university. It is also possible for one to get a degree by considering online education and sometimes this maybe the best option. Through this method it is possible to take classes sitting at home and do this according to your schedule, this way the fee is also considerably lesser. The best part is employers do not differentiate between the non traditional and traditional education at all. The kind of jobs achieved through a degree in forensic science are too many, the forensic scientist careers are extremely varied. The traditional duties and jobs of a forensic scientist may include:

* Examination and finding fingerprints by being a fingerprint technician

* Analyzing the DNA data

* Performing autopsies by being an autopsy specialist

* Supervision of a forensic scientist team

* Finding the firearm discharge or otherwise ballistics reporting.

There have been many television shows portraying forensic scientist and thus making many people thing that there is just a single title for such scientists. As a matter of fact, the people who work in the forensic departments tend to have many titles as well as wear different hats such as

* Forensic Psychiatry

* Forensic Dentistry

* Forensic Toxicology

* Forensic Pathology

To sum it all up, it is just as simple to conclude that forensic scientist careers are many and easily available. If you are looking to establish a career or even remake your existing career you need to ensure that you investigate all the jobs in connection to forensic jobs and hence the opportunities are easily available such as kick starting a career through a traditional college setting or through online education.

 

 

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