How Exactly Does A Sydney Criminal Lawyer Operate?

Crime can take many different forms, from petty theft to violent murder-and science can be used to help solve almost every case. The word 'forensic' means 'connected with the courtroom', so forensic science is, therefore, concerned with discovering physical evidence that is able to be presented at a trial.

The most important cases where detailed scientific evidence is required are those involving brutal assault, rape, and death. This is why, in the early days of forensic science, most of those who gave evidence were medical practitioners and the practice was long known as "medical jurisprudence." Gradually, however, different areas of specialisation have been developed, and now, as well as medical examiners, there are experts in ballistics, toxicology, serology, and numerous other areas.

Early in the 20th century, a French scientist, Dr. Edmond Locard, laid down the basic principle for investigating the scene of a crime: "Every contact leaves a trace." That means, each and every criminal leaves something remaining at the scene: a weapon; a spent bullet; a print from a finger, hand, or even ear; the track of a shoe; a hair; or a minute fragment of something. Also, they carry something away: powder residue from a gun, a tiny splash of blood, a scratch made by the victim, dust or dirt, or even a single fiber from the victim's clothing. It is the job of the forensic scientist to detect, examine, and analyse such traces to provide evidence for a subsequent trial.

When a crime scene is discovered it is essential that it be contained and sealed off quickly to preserve any trace evidence. Unfortunately this is often difficult as the scene will be disturbed by the person who discovers it, the first uniformed officers to arrive, the ambulance crew, and the medical examiner or coroner who may be needed there.

A crime scene investigator will arrive as soon as possible in the case of suspicious death, and will allow as few people as are necessary within the closed-off zone. In the case of the scene being out in the open, however, there are already likely to be footprints for example, that aren't connected with the crime. Indoors, the body could have been moved and the clothing loosened in attempts at artificial respiration. Also, significant items in the area may have been moved in some way.

Investigating officers should always remember the rule, 'Eyes open, mouth shut, and hands in pockets!' They must take care to note as much detail of the scene as is possible. They ought to avoid saying anything that could affect the testimony of anyone who may later have to give evidence in court. And they should touch nothing until the rest of the search team arrives.

The goal of searching a death scene is to discover things of interest. First of all, photographs or video recordings are taken, not only of the body, but also of any visible traces. This may include all footprints, tire tracks, marks on surrounding objects like tree trunks etc, signs of a struggle, bloodstains, or any objects possibly used for assault. Ideally, the investigators will make a tape recording of everything that is one and of everything they see.

Then a detailed search begins. Every object must be collected, either with latex-gloved fingers or forceps, and placed in a plastic bag or box. This will then be labeled with full details of where and when it was found. Its position can also be marked on a grid plan of the area. Every time such an item of evidence passes from the custody of one person to another, it should be signed for and logged. This is called the "chain of custody." Any gap in this chain may be seized on by defense counsel at trial as an indication that the forensic evidence is not to be relied upon.

The search must be carried out as early as possible, particularly if the crime scene is outdoors. Fingerprints can be searched for later, since they generally survive for a long time. Similarly, remains of blood are scraped up for later analysis.