In the courtroom, forensic scientists are expert witnesses, permitted to testify not just about the scientifically factual results of their testing and analysis, but also to give an opinion about what those results mean. In the field and in the laboratory, forensic scientists draw from physics, chemistry, biology, and other scientific branches to uncover, identify, evaluate, and interpret physical evidence that may prove the existence of a crime, the perpetrator of crime, or a connection to a crime. In a modern context, ‘forensic’ is defined as relating to or denoting the application of scientific methods and techniques to the investigation and solving of crime.Ĭommon laboratory disciplines include forensic molecular biology (DNA), forensic chemistry, trace evidence examination (hairs and fibers, paints and polymers, glass, soil, etc.), latent fingerprint examination, examination of firearms and toolmarks (any impression, scratch, gouge, cut, or abrasion made when a tool is brought into contact with another object), handwriting analysis, fire and explosives examinations, forensic toxicology (the analysis of biological samples for the presence of toxins, including drugs), and digital evidence. The word forensic comes from the Latin word forensis, which means a public discussion or debate.

Forensic science is a critical component of the criminal justice system and forensic scientists are the practitioners of the disciplines that make up the science.

What does a forensic scientist do