Forensic science is a fascinating field that has evolved dramatically over the last few decades. There are many techniques that forensic scientists use to solve crimes before or after someone has been arrested and obtained.

1. Pathology

Forensic pathology refers to the examination of a body. When a death seems to be suspicious, a pathologist is employed to ascertain the cause of the person’s death. They look for proof of injuries on the outside and inside of a victim’s body.

2. Toxicology

This type of forensic science concerns testing for drugs in a person’s body. Forensic toxicologists can search for illegal, prescription or over-the-counter substances. By inspecting blood, urine or hair, a forensic toxicologist can tell what drugs a person may have taken and when they took them.

3. Crime Scene

Forensic scientists do not only specialize in examining bodies. They can also analyze many types of evidence that the police find at crime scenes. This could consist of fingerprints, hair, bloodstains, bullet holes, tools, documents or any other evidence found at the scene of a crime. In addition to evidence collection, Blood Cleanup Specialists Tampa provide essential services to safely clean and restore crime scenes. Their expertise ensures the proper removal of biohazards while maintaining the integrity of the investigation.

4. Accounting

Accounting expertise might not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering criminal investigations but it has provided breakthroughs in a myriad of cases. Forensic accountants work with the police to find evidence of crimes hidden in bank accounts and financial ledgers. This science requires a great detail of attention to detail, as a suspect may have only left one piece of evidence in an enormous collection of data. They have to sift through many legitimate financial transactions before they find what they are looking for.

5. Computer Forensics

The rise of the internet provided police and prosecutors with rich new sources of evidence. Criminal justice professionals can use this science to search for evidence in online chat logs, emails, records of web searches and social media posts. They can search both computers and smartphones for this data. Computer forensics can often find evidence despite attempts by a suspect to destroy it.

6. Dentistry

Forensic dentists generally work in two areas: determining the identity of a victim and analyzing bite marks. Often, they can compare dental x-rays to a victim’s teeth and make a positive identification. It is sometimes possible to use modifications like fillings and crowns to find clues. They can also study teeth to determine if they hold enough DNA to be tested.

Dentists who assist with criminal investigations can compare bite marks on skin or items in evidence to a suspect’s teeth. While this may not be enough evidence to obtain a conviction on its own, it can be an important part of a circumstantial case.

7. Graphology

Graphology is the science of analyzing handwriting. They carefully scrutinize documents to compare printed writing and signatures to a victim or suspect’s handwriting. Each person’s handwriting contains unique elements like the size and spaces between letters. Forensic graphology can sometimes provide clues about whether the writer was feeling anxious or angry when they wrote the document.