Evaluate the Use of Forensics in Criminal Investigation
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Evaluate the use of forensics in criminal investigation
Step Up to Higher Education: Module 2 Assignment.
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Evaluate the use of forensics in criminal investigation
Step Up to Higher Education: Module 2 Assignment.
Daniel Henderson
Daniel Henderson
Table of Contents
Introduction Page 1
Bibliography Page 6
The aim of this essay is to discuss and evaluate the use of forensics in criminal investigation. This work will focus on Ballistic Sciences. Ballistic Sciences is the study of the firing, flight and effects of ammunition .This essay will use historical cases to show how the technology has changed in Ballistic Sciences.
The first use of ballistics was in 1835 when a Scotland Yard detective named Henry Goddard used bullet matching to catch a murderer. Goddard noticed a visible flaw on the bullet which was then traced back to the mould used to make the bullet. Production of ammunition at this time was on a much smaller scale in comparison to modern mass production therefor making it a lot simpler to find makers of ammunition and in this case the culprit of the crime (Forensic Science Central, 2005).
The process of bullet comparison today consists of computer based microscopes that electronically compares the given evidence (in this case a bullet) to a computer database to find a result of the type of bullet, calibre and the firearm it has been fired from. The Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) (PoliceOne.com November, 2010) records all bullet data used on the system and stores it, to then compare it to the bullet being analysed at the time and finds a match. Such databases and technology have been the basis for prosecution and the result of finding criminals for many years. Not only can ballistic experts and the technology they use identify criminals but also whether or not the weapon used in the activity is related
Evaluate the use of forensics in criminal investigation
Step Up to Higher Education: Module 2 Assignment.
-------------------------------------------------
Evaluate the use of forensics in criminal investigation
Step Up to Higher Education: Module 2 Assignment.
Daniel Henderson
Daniel Henderson
Table of Contents
Introduction Page 1
Bibliography Page 6
The aim of this essay is to discuss and evaluate the use of forensics in criminal investigation. This work will focus on Ballistic Sciences. Ballistic Sciences is the study of the firing, flight and effects of ammunition .This essay will use historical cases to show how the technology has changed in Ballistic Sciences.
The first use of ballistics was in 1835 when a Scotland Yard detective named Henry Goddard used bullet matching to catch a murderer. Goddard noticed a visible flaw on the bullet which was then traced back to the mould used to make the bullet. Production of ammunition at this time was on a much smaller scale in comparison to modern mass production therefor making it a lot simpler to find makers of ammunition and in this case the culprit of the crime (Forensic Science Central, 2005).
The process of bullet comparison today consists of computer based microscopes that electronically compares the given evidence (in this case a bullet) to a computer database to find a result of the type of bullet, calibre and the firearm it has been fired from. The Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) (PoliceOne.com November, 2010) records all bullet data used on the system and stores it, to then compare it to the bullet being analysed at the time and finds a match. Such databases and technology have been the basis for prosecution and the result of finding criminals for many years. Not only can ballistic experts and the technology they use identify criminals but also whether or not the weapon used in the activity is related
Bibliography: Word Count: 1,098 Britannica.com (2012) Warren Commission [Online] Available From: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/636051/Warren-Commission [Accessed: 1st July 2012]