A look at the new science of CSI – criminal forensics
In 2012 the federal government released new guidelines for fingerprint analysis aiming at reducing error. While computers are good at matching prints and searching databases, the human eye is better at matching crime scene prints – often smudged, distorted or partial – to those of a suspect. Final review by experts is subjective, a craft, as good as the training and expertise of the analyst.
Aside from new guidelines, some experts are in favor of a paradigm shift; instead of stating a match with absolute certainty in a courtroom, the fingerprint analysis should be expressed in terms of the uncertainty in the results, similar to DNA analysis. Experts are also working on more objective ways to analyze the loops, whorls and arches used to compare fingerprints. “The development of such standards is key to making forensic science, well, scientific.”
New advances include DNA phenotyping – reverse engineering the physical likeness of a person from a DNA sample – yielding information such as geographic ancestry, eye color, natural hair color and even the possible shape of facial features. This analysis is useful for eliminating suspects to save time, making a police investigation more efficient. Another new technology is the use of CT scanners that allow doctors to perform virtual autopsies, detecting signs of murder not detected by a standard autopsy.
How Science is Putting a New Face on Crime Solving
National Geographic magazine, July 2016 edition
No comments:
Post a Comment