Suggested Forensic Science Research Topics

Suggested Forensic Science Research Topics

The following research topics were collected from various forensic scientific working groups and their publications, the National Academy of Sciences publication, the National Institute of Justice website, and personal solicitations
by the CSDIAI Science and Practices Committee. Funding for research is available through various sources including the National Institute of Justice[http://www.nij.gov/funding].

Accuracy & Bias:

1. The effects of contextual bias in forensic examinations, and the quantification of that error. [NAS Publication]
2. Develop studies to measure and understand the influence of bias during the application of the ACE-V method. [SWGFAST]
3. Blind Verification - Determine if or when blind verification is an effective quality assurance measure. [SWGFAST]
4. Determine the accuracy of friction ridge comparison conclusions in adjudicated cases. [SWGFAST]
5. Examiner Consistency - Develop additional or refine existing tools to improve consistency in the interpretation of friction ridge images, feature selection, and decisions in ACE among examiners. Develop tools to assist the examiner measure the quality of friction ridge impressions during the analysis stage. [SWGFAST]
6. Develop additional or refine existing studies to measure the impact of various factors that result in examination errors, and suggest practices to reduce them. [SWGFAST]
7. Further explore the cognitive processes friction ridge examiners use when performing examinations. [SWGFAST]
8. Develop additional or refine existing studies on how aspects in vision science, such as form and color blindness, affect an examiner’s ability to conduct friction ridge examinations. [SWGFAST]
9. Research other psychological or physiological conditions that may affect an examiner’s ability to conduct friction ridge examinations. [SWGFAST]
10. Assess the effectiveness of various friction ridge examination quality assurance measures (e.g., percentage of casework that is technically reviewed, frequency of proficiency testing, instrument and equipment calibration and maintenance, and frequency of reagent testing). [SWGFAST]
11. Develop additional or refine existing statistical or probability models regarding friction ridge examination. [SWGFAST]
12. Conduct additional studies regarding the objective measure of quality and quantity of friction ridge detail required to conclude whether two or more simultaneous impressions originated from the same source. [SWGFAST]
13. Establish and mandate standards for procedures, terminology or range of conclusions for the collection, examination or testimony of footwear and tire track examiners. [SWGTREAD]
14. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis:

• research in human error and contextual bias
• proficiency testing in bloodstain pattern analysis and the establishment of protocols for bloodstain pattern analysis methods and practices [SWGSTAIN]

Certification & Accreditation:

1. Compare the performance of certified and non-certified friction ridge examiners. This assessment may include quality assurance measures such as accuracy of conclusions, competency and proficiency testing, existence of standard operation procedures, and adherence to those procedures. It may also take into consideration factors such as hiring qualifications for practitioners, training and continuing education, workloads, and compensation. [SWGFAST]
2. Compare the performance of accredited and non-accredited friction ridge examination service providers. This assessment may include quality assurance measures such as accuracy of conclusions, competency and proficiency testing, existence of standard operation procedures, and adherence to those procedures. It may also take into consideration factors such as hiring qualifications for practitioners, training and continuing education, workloads, and compensation. [SWGFAST]
3. Develop a comprehensive standard training program for latent and tenprint examiners that incorporates SWGFAST documents and can be implemented on a national scale. [SWGFAST]
4. Status of Tenprint Identification Agencies - Assess the status of tenprint operations within identification agencies regarding issues to include hiring standards, training, workloads, and compensation. [SWGFAST]

AFIS:

1. Creation of baseline standards / common interface for AFIS interoperability: baseline standards —to be used with computer algorithms— to map, record, and recognize features in fingerprint images, and a research agenda for the continued improvement, refinement, and characterization of the accuracy of these algorithms (including quantification of error rates). [NAS Publication]
2. Using large AFIS databases, conduct a study that measures the likelihood of finding close non-matches based upon the location within a fingerprint and specificity of these features and their arrangements. Furthermore, assess the ability of the examiner to discriminate these close non-matches. [SWGFAST]
3. Automated Distortion Recognition and Compensation in Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) - Develop additional or refine existing distortion recognition and compensation tools for use in automated fingerprint identification systems that increase reliability and accuracy. [SWGFAST]
4. A statistical analysis of minutia in specific locations within latent prints, utilizing the AFIS system. [contact Roy Marzioli]

Chemical Processing & Laboratory Analysis:

1. A comparison processing techniques that are available for bloody prints, and their pros and cons (fixing of LCV, hazards, multiple steps, destruction of surfaces): specifically, comparison testing of LCV to Amido Black. [Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Forensics Laboratory]
2. A critical analysis of lighting techniques: ALS vs. laser, LED flashlights vs. incandescent bulbs [Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Forensics Laboratory]
3. Sequential processing of evidence containing bloody fingerprints [Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Forensics Laboratory]
4. Conduct additional research to determine if there is a reliable and accurate process to measure the age of friction ridge impressions. [SWGFAST]
5. Effects of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Exposure on Latent Print Residues -Develop additional or refine existing studies regarding the effects of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear exposure events on latent print residues. [SWGFAST]
6. Develop additional or refine existing method(s) for the detection of latent prints on human skin. [SWGFAST]
7. Develop additional or refine existing research regarding the composition of latent print residue. [SWGFAST]
8. Persistence of Skin and Reproducibility of Level 2 and 3 Level Detail - Further assess and develop additional studies on the reproducibility and persistence of Level 2 and Level 3 detail. Persistence relates to variations in the same friction ridge skin over an extended period of time, considering external impacts (e.g. environmental changes, occupational exposure, aging and chemotherapy or other medical treatment) Reproducibility relates to the extent of variations among multiple impressions of the same friction ridge skin. [SWGFAST]
9. Develop additional or refine existing chemical, physical, or spectral imaging processes to enhance friction ridge detail based on the specific substrate or composition of latent print residue. [SWGFAST]
10. Compare existing chemical, physical or spectral imaging processes to determine which produce the highest quality and quantity of latent prints per substrate, to include the cost per application and ease of use. [SWGFAST]
11. Develop additional quality control standards for use in reagent testing. [SWGFAST]
12. Superimposed Friction Ridge Impressions - Explore means to determine the chronology of the placement of superimposed friction ridge impressions. Develop additional or refine existing tools to separate superimposed friction ridge impressions. [SWGFAST]
13. Assess the discriminating strength of friction ridge skin features such as cuts, lacerations, abrasions, scars, creases, warts and blisters in friction ridge examination. [SWGFAST]
14. Controlled substances:

• More sensitive detection tools to use at crime scenes.
• Improved tools and techniques to identify controlled substances, including emerging “designer drugs,” and evolving manufacturing techniques for existing drugs.
• New, faster and more efficient tools and techniques to analyze controlled substances in the laboratory. [NIJ]

   15. Digital evidence

• Mobile and Cellular Device Forensics Tools
• Digital Evidence Investigative Tools
• Digital Evidence Analysis Tools
• Digital Forensic Training
• Digital Forensics Standards and Capacity Building [NIJ]

   16. Impression and pattern evidence can help link a suspect or tool to a particular crime scene. New or improved techniques to identify, collect, analyze and preserve impression and pattern evidence would greatly aid the forensic community. NIJ funds the following impression and pattern evidence research:

• Studying the effects of time and environmental factors, such as weather damage, on forms of impression evidence.
• Investigating unique characteristics that may distinguish one type of impression evidence to the exclusion of all others (e.g., what characteristics make a fingerprint unique).
• Developing sophisticated tools to take precise physical measurements of evidence.
• Improving the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network. [NIJ]

17. Questioned Documents

• More efficient, highly sensitive techniques to analyze documents while preserving them.
• Computer - based methods to analyze handwriting and verify signatures.
• Approaches that expand the scientific basis of questioned document examinations. [NIJ]

18. Trace Evidence

• The development of new tools and techniques to detect, collect and preserve evidence from crime scenes.
• Instruments that decrease the time and labor needed for trace evidence analysis.
• New approaches and enhancement of current approaches to interpreting trace evidence data [NIJ]

19. Firearms -Determine the degree to which firearms - related toolmarks are unique or even to quantitatively characterize the probability of uniqueness. Assessing uniqueness at, say, a submicroscopic level, though probably technically possible, would be extremely difficult and time consuming compared with less definitive but more practical and generally available methods at the macroscopic level. [SWGGUN]

20. A survey of sequential processing techniques of different agencies and a quantitative measure of their efficiency. [Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Forensics Laboratory]


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CSDIAI Science & Practices Committee 2011
Hillary Moses
Doug Coleman
Stephanie Souza
Freddie Moore

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Forensic Psychology Major Requirements

Forensic Psychology Major Requirements

The Forensic Psychology major is designed for students who are interested in the relationship between psychology and the criminal justice system. The mission of the Forensic Psychology major is to enhance students’ understanding of individual behavior, in terms of its biological, cognitive, social and emotional components and their interaction, and its effects on the broader community. Students will learn to employ an empirical approach to understand human behavior. The major prepares students for a number of careers and graduate work in psychology,social work, law enforcement, or other criminal justice professions.

Prerequisite: PSY 101, which does not count toward the 40 credits required in the major

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Forensic Psychology - Criminal Profiling Guide

Forensic Psychology - Criminal Profiling Guide


 Profiling Definition

The first task of profiling is estimating the psychological and sociological characteristics of a criminal. The reader may be familiar with this practice from film and television– movies like Silence of the Lambs and Seven have prominently featured this type of profiling. Criminal investigators use evidence collected from the crime scene, the nature of the crime, the location of the crime scene, and the type of victims being targeted as clues to identify the profile of the offender. For example, when law enforcement was searching for the Green River Killer (later identified to be Gary Ridgway) in Washington State, they suggested that he was a white male with a history of dysfunctional relationships with women. They were proven correct.

Once the criminal is apprehended, the next step is to determine further, specific information about him or her. Items in the offender’s possession and interviews with acquaintances can provide excellent background information. After further information has been ascertained, an interview process can begin based on the information gathered about the criminal.

History of Profiling

One of the first and most high-profile cases of profiling was the attempt by Scotland Yard to find the identity of Jack the Ripper. Doctor Thomas Bond, one of the most celebrated physicians of Victorian London, had, in his capacities as a police surgeon, examined the bodies of the victims. He surmised that the killer was in all likelihood a quiet, eccentric, neatly dressed, middle aged man.

As psychology and sociology developed as academic disciplines in the early 20th Century, their innovations were incorporated into the practice of criminal profiling. Freudian concepts like the Oedipus complex, subconscious drives, and repressed desire all made their way into the vocabulary of criminal investigators.

In 1972, the Behavioral Science Unit was established at the FBI headquarters in Quantico, Virginia. This marked the beginning of profiling as a science, with Howard Teten, Robert Ressler, and Patrick Mullany leading the charge. Forensic psychologist Richard Walter did much to refine the method of profiling in the ‘70s and ‘80s. In 1985, the FBI began the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (Vi-CAP), a massive database of unsolved crimes that can help investigators establish links between crimes. Since then, collaborations between agencies and extensive research of criminal psychology has contributed to further development of criminal profiling.

Criticisms

The practice of criminal profiling is not without criticism. This criticism comes from disparate sources, including both within and outside law enforcement as well as both within and outside the psychological community.

One of the most persuasive criticisms of criminal profiling is that, while rooted in established practices of psychology and sociology, there is little empirical evidence suggesting that criminal profiles are actually applicable to reality. Indeed, there have been many very public instances of profiling failing to correctly predict the nature of an offender. For instance, the Beltway Sniper in the DC metropolitan area in 2002 was predicted to be a solitary middle aged white male. In reality, the sniper was actually two young black males. Some elements of profiling are less controversial in this regard; few people question that a serial killer’s murder of multiple people in a short time span in distant locations indicates a high degree of mobility.

Another suggestion, famously made by journalist Malcolm Gladwell, is that profiling seems more accurate in retrospect. Profiles often are loaded with vague, impressionistic statements that could apply to broad ranges of people. Furthermore, when profiles made during the investigation are compared to the actual profile of the offender, we selectively look at the characteristics that the offender actually possesses.

A third suggestion is that profiling reinforces the notion of a “criminal mind,” when there is little evidence to suggest anything of the sort. Rather, most more and norms of a society are highly variable, so consequently there is no basis on which to suggest the profile of an inherently “normal” or “deviant” mind.

A final criticism is that because many offender profiles are based on just one or two crimes, there isn’t enough of a sample size to draw scientific conclusions. If a criminal has only struck once, we only have a snapshot of the criminal in the very specific time-frame of the crime. This time-frame, furthermore, quite likely won’t reflect the normal state of the criminal.

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Forensic Psychology Salary in US

Forensic Psychology Salary in US

Anyone that is interested in becoming a forensic psychologist should understand the contributing factors that shape the salary of these professionals. The forensic psychologist salary typically varies with the nature and location of the work.

Averages and medians only go so far with regards to the forensic psychology salary. This profession is specialized, the salary is more so dictated on a case by case basis. That being said, there is certainly value in aspiring students reviewing some of the existing trends in this field in order to get a better sense of its trajectory. A big factor in salary is schooling… both the type of degree and whether it is from an accredited or well-respected university.

The average starting forensic psychologist salary for a forensic psychologist is estimated to range from $53,000 to $59,000. Depending on the location, and the nature of the work, starting salaries for these professionals can often range anywhere from $45,000 to $83,000 annually.

The degree earned will also affect the size of forensic psychology salary one is able to earn. Hours vary between a standard nine to five week, working on call or even going away on assignments. Some forensic psychologists choose to be self-employed, often spending some time appearing witness in trials. Others works in labs, police stations, law firms, prisons and the alike.

Forensic psychologists that find work with the state or federal governments typically earn more in the range of $78,000 to $86,000 annually. Like most any career, the more training, degrees and certification accumulated, the opportunities there will be for earning a higher salary.

An extensive commitment to education and science must be upheld in order to have a high level of long-term success in this field. Some forensic psychologists may earn as little as $35,000 annually, while the top earners can earn over $103,000 each year. Experienced forensic psychologist with over a decade of experience usually earn over $80,000 annually.

The federal government is actually one of the top employers for forensic psychologists. The executive branch of the U.S government currently has over 5,000 specialized psychologists on staff. One of the most prominent federal employers of forensic psychologists is the FBI.

As many are aware, forensic psychologists working with the FBI is a popular concept that has been glamorized in the media and entertainment industry during the first decade of this third millennium. The forensic psychology salary working for FBI usually ranges from $35,000 to $82,000 per year.

The best places to earn an upper-tier forensic psychologist salary are generally cities with higher costs of living. Some of the ideal locations for employment opportunities include L.A, D.C and New York. Other major metropolitan areas that have lower costs of living in conjunction with significant opportunities available include Memphis, Atlanta and Detroit.

The state that may pay the highest forensic psychologist salary is Arizona, professionals there earn over $100,000 per year on average.

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Bodily Fluids in Forensic Science and Pathology

Bodily Fluids in Forensic Science and Pathology

There are many different types of bodily fluid that are secreted by the body and are also present within the body at any given time. These fluids may be useful in helping forensic scientists and pathologists put together a detailed picture of how an individual died and likewise may also present means of identifying the perpetrator.

Types of Bodily Fluid

Bodily fluids are broken down into two categories: excreted and secreted.Within these categories you will find the following:

• Excreted: Sweat, Breast Milk, Cerumen (Earwax), Faeces (included because faeces are often covered in a mucus membrane to enable travelling through the bowel), Chyme (found in the stomach), Bile, Vomit, Aqueous Humour (a watery substance that covers the eye), Sebum (Skin Oil)
• Secreted: Cowper's Fluid (Pre-ejaculatory fluid), Blood or Plasma, Semen, Saliva, Female Ejaculate, Serum, or Urine.

Bodily Fluids as Evidence

These varying fluids are to be found contained within the human body and those that are classed as being secreted can be found on or about the body of an individual who has been the victim of a crime.

The most common bodily fluids to be found in these instances are blood, semen, serum, saliva and sometimes - given the severity of the crime - urine or faeces. It is the job of the forensic scientist or Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO) to establish if any of these bodily fluids are present at a crime scene and take the necessary steps to ensure that they are collected.

These fluids - if detected at a crime scene - are swabbed, bagged and collected in vials, which are air tight and at low risk of cross contamination.

In addition, the use of chemicals and ultra violet light can be deployed to uncover the existence of any of these fluids in circumstances where they might be overlooked. Particularly if the crime scene is a darkly lit area or an outdoor area which covers considerable distance.

Also useful to note is the fact that not all bodily fluids contain sufficient information to gain a DNA comparison. This happens when the individual is what is described as a 'non-secretor'. A 'non-secretor' will not have sufficient levels of protein in their bodily fluids to determine a match between blood and bodily fluids found at a crime scene. Of course the percentage of 'non-secretors' among the populous as opposed to 'secretors' is very small indeed.

Another important factor when dealing with a crime scene that may have bodily fluids secreted is that all personnel must be fully clothed in protective clothing to avoid both contamination of the crime scene and potential exposure to blood-borne diseases that may be passed to them via cuts, scrapes and/or ingestion.

Again it is worth considering the risks of infection to all concerned and also looking at how crime scene evidence is collected; without proper quarantine procedures evidence that might be vital to the success of any criminal investigation could - and has on occasion - been inadvertently cross contaminated by the person or persons handling its collection and transportation. Of course these instances are rare but it is vital that every care is taken to ensure that this is not the case.

As well as bodily fluids the forensic scientist - and/or Scenes of Crime Officer (SOCO) will look for trace evidence such as skin particles, hairs, fingernails and anything else that might have been in contact with an attacker or assailant.


Reproduced courtesy of www.ExploreForensics.co.uk - forensic science, crime scene investigations and pathology

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Forensic Pathology

Forensic Pathology

Forensic Pathology Description:
Forensic pathologists, or medical examiners, are specially trained physicians who examine the bodies of people who died suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently.  The forensic pathologist is responsible for determining the cause (the ultimate and immediate reasons for the cessation of life) and manner of death (homicide, suicide, accidental, natural, or unknown).
To determine the identity of the victim and the time, manner and cause of death, the forensic pathologist:

• studies the medical history,
• evaluates crime scene evidence including witness statements,
• performs an autopsy to uncover evidence of injury or disease, and
• collects medical and trace evidence from the body for further analysis.

In addition to anatomy, the forensic pathologist may draw upon specialized knowledge and training in:

• toxicology
• firearms/ballistics
• trace evidence
• serology (blood analysis), and
• DNA technology. 

A forensic pathologist may be appointed as a Medical Examiner by a legal jurisdiction such as a city, county or state.
Clinical forensic pathologists examine living patients, usually in cases where sexual assault or abuse is suspected.
Once all the evidence is analyzed, the forensic pathologist prepares a written report, and may also testify to these findings in court.

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Types of Cases in which Fiber and Hair may be of Value as Evidence

Types of Cases in which Fiber and Hair may be of Value As Evidence

Many crimes involve direct physical contact between victim and suspect. Whenever such contact occurs, there is frequently an inadvertent transfer of microscopic evidence. This evidence transfer is usually hairs and fibers. However, this type of evidence, which can be microscopic in form, may often be overlooked by investigating officers because it is not easily observed. Even though the most commonly encountered fibers are white and/or blue polyester, cotton, or blends of these, this type of
evidence should be collected and submitted for evaluation.

Types of Cases in which Fiber and Hair may be of Value as Evidence

Assault/Rape/Homicide - these types of crimes usually involve personal contact of some sort.
Therefore, fibers and hairs may be interchanged between victim and suspect and/or their respective environments and apparel. Weapons and fingernail scrapings also may be important sources of fiber evidence. Bindings, such as rope, may also leave distinct fibers if a person was tied up.

Burglary - Clothing fibers will frequently be found at the point where the burglar may have been forced to crawl through a window or other opening. If no head covering was used, hair may also be found.

Hit-and-Run - Due to the forceful contact between victim and automobile, clothing fibers and hair can generally be found adhering to the fenders, grill, door handles, or parts of the undercarriage. Fabric impression patterns may also be observed on surfaces with which the fabric may have impacted.

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