Review Questions
1. What is forensic science? Forensic science is the application of science to the criminal justice system. It is science that is used for the purpose of the criminal justice system.
2. What three tasks or responsibilities does a forensic scientist have? The responsibilities that a forensic scientist has are, to collect and analyze the evidence found at a crime scene, give an expert testimony and, train other law enforcement individuals in how to record and collect evidence.
3. What criteria might be used to establish someone as an expert witness? The criteria that might be used to establish someone as an expert witness is when someone whom the court deems has special knowledge relevant to the case.
4. What are two of the ways that a forensic pathologist might use to help determine the time of death? One way that a forensic pathologist might use to help determined the time of death is by evaluating the stage of decomposition in the body. Another way is to consider factors like where the body is, the air temperature, and the size of the body to determine the time of death from its temperature.
5. What does a forensic anthropologist do? A forensic anthropologist specializes in the identification and examination of skeletal remains. They help to determine whether bones and skeletal remains are from a long ago burial hat has been unearthed or whether they are from a more recent death that may require investigation.
Critical Thinking Questions
1. Why do you think it is so important to use proper methods when collecting evidence from a crime scene?
2. Why do you think forensic science has been increasingly used by the criminal justice system?
3. Which of the forensic scientist’s responsibilities do you think would be the most challenging? Why?
4. Which of the forensic scientist’s responsibilities do you think would be the most interesting to you? Why?
5. Which of the specialty areas do you think would most like to work in?