Topic > Application of science to forensic studies

IndexIntroductionObservation and description of a phenomenon or a group of phenomenaFormulation of one or more hypotheses to explain the phenomenonUsing the hypothesis to predict the existence of other phenomena, or to quantitatively predict their results of new observationsPerforming prediction tests by several independent experimentersConclusionIntroductionThe scientific method is the method used by scientists as an investigative technique. This is used by many researchers to investigate natural and physical phenomena in the world we live in. When the scientist is in the process of creating a theory, however, human errors will corrupt the final results. This error is due to the setting of human personal and cultural beliefs that will interfere with the final interpretations of the established hypothesis, to correct the errors of the developed theory; the procedures of the scientific method are developed with the integration of determining factors and standard procedures. The person certified to perform the scientific methods in forensic medicine is known as a forensic examiner. A forensic examiner is highly skilled with knowledge on how to apply scientific methods to arrive at flawless professional conclusions. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay A scientific examiner helps reduce the human aspects of bias and prejudice when examining established theories and hypotheses. For many years, the scientific method was not used in forensic science because it was argued that forensic science deals with past events and that past events possess qualities that scientific methods and its procedures could not handle. The quality of these recent events is that past events cannot be observed due to their occurred nature. Past events cannot be predicted or inferred from physical evidence and cannot be subjected to scientific experiments. However, after careful consideration and slight modifications, scientific methods are now used in forensic science and incorporated into criminal investigation science (Becker, 2009).Observation and description of a phenomenon or group of phenomenaThe first step in the method scientific is the observation and description of a phenomenon or group of phenomena. The forensic examiner begins with the task of analyzing the crime scene and looking at all the evidence left at the crime scene. If it is a homicide investigation, the first step would be to investigate the cause of death and determine where the shooting occurred and where the victim was killed. If the crime involves a weapon or dangerous object, the forensic examiner will ask officers to try to locate the location of the gun. Other observations of the phenomena evident at the crime scene could help make a strong case in court. The observations are crucial because the observations could end up determining whether the suspects go unpunished or face charges. This is the legal system that deals with evidence and evidence, not mere theories (Miller, 2003). Forensic examiners must present evidence of what they have discovered to the courts, some forensic examiners are called to testify in court to identify what they observe during investigations. The forensic examiner will provide images, graphs and written reports to the courts.Formulation of one or more hypotheses to explain phenomenaThe second step in the scientific method in forensic science is the formulation of hypotheses or logical hypotheses to explain phenomena (Science Buddies, 2010) . The forensic examiner must formulate a logical and reasonable hypothesis that can explain the phenomenon. This comesperformed by asking good questions that highlight or indicate the current situation. The forensic examiner could also formulate a theory that could provide possible explanations for what happened at the crime scene. Potential theories in a gun case would be to have a theory about the type of gun that could have fired the bullet found at the crime scene, the possible location of the actual crime scene if the victim's body had been moved. The observation phase and the construction of a hypothesis form an intricate connection of cause and effect, where the observation is the effect and the hypothesis and/or theory are the most probable cause of the effect. If the victim was killed, they must find every theory about where the victim was killed, their theory must be in line with the detectives' own theory. If the detective's theory does not match the forensic examiner's theory, the evidence must be able to prove their theory. Using the hypothesis to predict the existence of other phenomena or to quantitatively predict the results of new observations The next step that what the forensic examiner would follow would be to use the hypothesis to predict the existence of other phenomena, or to quantitatively predict the results of new observations (Science Buddies, 2010). The forensic examiner is tasked with conducting a study on the basic information regarding the case in question. Of course there will certainly be one or more searches similar or related to the case in question. The forensic examiner is tasked with developing a literature review of previous research that other scientists had conducted in the past that had bearing on this particular case. It is not prudent for the research to start from scratch because it would lead to a considerable waste of time. This occurs through the investigation and justification of facts that have already been addressed previously. Human beings have a pattern when researching human activities. Research on another related case could provide important information about the case. drug-related cases might have many similarities, however the detective and forensic examiner must assume that the victim is a drug dealer or was a bystander. The victim's criminal record will allow the forensic examiner and detective to know if the case was drug related. If they have determined that drugs were involved, they should investigate whether the victim had rival gangs or enemies. Conducting prediction tests by several independent experimenters. The next step that the forensic examiner would follow would be to perform experimental tests of the predictions by several independent experimenters (Science Buddies, 2010). This step tends to justify or give evidence to the hypotheses or theories that have been put forward. The results of the experiments could end up approving or disapproving. This phenomenon highlights the need to establish several separate and independent experimenters. This is to prevent prejudices and partiality of the experts from being reflected in the results. If the forensic expert who formulated the hypothesis and possible theories were left to conduct the experiments alone, then he would be influenced to prove the set hypotheses and theories rather than disproving them. A control group should be set up to compare or contrast the results obtained in the experiments. This would help verify that the results of the experiments are truthful and non-prejudicial. Forensic medicine involves the application of scientific methodology in the legal field. Forensic analysis involves carefully examining a crime scene and extracting all relevant evidence that could be used in a court of law to implicate or exonerate a particular suspect.