Colleges criminalistiek 2020-2021
Hoorcolleges criminalistiek uitgetypt
Blok 1
1.1 Introduction; definition; forensic disciplines
Verschillende definities van Forensische wetenschap.
- Forensic science is the application of scientific principles and technological practices
for the purpose of justice in the study and resolution of criminal, civil and regulatory
issues. (American academy of forensic sciences, 2003)
- Forensic science is a systematic endeavor to describe how events of legal concerns
have happened based on observation, hypothesis formation, and experiment.
(Sensabaugh, 1997)/
- Criminalistics is the science of individualization. (Kirk, 1963)
- Criminalistics is the science of reasoning backwards (Berger, 2009)
Definitions of criminalistics:
- that profession and scientific discipline directed to the recognition, identification,
individualization, and evaluation of physical evidence by application of the physical
and natural sciences to law-sciences matters (American Board of Criminalistics)
- that professional occupation concerned with the scientific analysis and examination of
physical evidence, its interpretation, and its presentation in court. (California
Association of Criminalists).
The difference between criminalistics and forensic science
Criminalistics is a natural science and forensic science is wider than criminalistics. Forensic
science also includes disciplines that:
- are not a physical or natural science, such as psychology of law and forensic
accountancy (these are part of forensic science, but not criminalistics);
- are not (mainly) aimed at finding the truth, such as forensic psychology and
psychiatry.
- Different countries use different terms: Kriminalistiek (B), Kriminalistik (D),
Criminalistics (US), Forensic Science (UK)
1
,Colleges criminalistiek 2020-2021
Criminalistiek wordt vaak verward met criminologie. Criminalistics is a natural science,
criminology is a social science. Criminology is the scientific study of the causation,
correction, and prevention of crime. Subdivision of the larger field of sociology.
Focus of the course
- Not on all the separate disciplines, but on what they have in common
- Not on the analysis (technology), but on the interpretation (principles)
The principles of interpretation are more:
- More generally valid within forensic science ( so it goes for all disciplines)
- Less temporary
- So, interpretation is the common part of all the various forensics disciplines, but also
how it differs from ‘normal’ academic science
- More useful for legal practitioners
Het NFI (Nederlands forensisch instituut)
Missie: On behalf of its clients, the NFI uses state-of the-art technology and science to
provide high-quality forensic services.
Motto: Aimed at truth, guided by science, for a safer society.
Organization:
The NFI does not have prosecutorial powers or duties
The NFI does not have an supervisory role over the Public Prosecution Service, the
police or other clients
The NFI is an independent services provider
2
, Colleges criminalistiek 2020-2021
Requesters are free to choose any forensic services provider
Core tasks of the NFI:
Examinations in criminal cases (70%)
Research & Development (15%)
Center of knowledge & expertise, also entails education (15%)
Dozens of forensic disciplines within the NFI
1. Medical/biological:
Tasks: DNA analysis - non-human DNA analysis - hair analysis - blood pattern analysis - age
estimation of living persons - forensic anthropology - forensic medicine - forensic pathology –
toxicology.
2. Physical and chemical:
The NFI does examinations in environmental cases involving waste products and risks -
arson, technical and material analysis - explosions and explosives - tool marks - traffic
accident investigation - weapons and ammunition. Examinations of:
Micro traces: forensic element analysis - gunshot residue analysis - glass, paint, tape
and glue analysis - chemical identification analysis - fiber and textile analysis
Drugs: drug analysis - drug production investigation - drug comparison.
3
Hoorcolleges criminalistiek uitgetypt
Blok 1
1.1 Introduction; definition; forensic disciplines
Verschillende definities van Forensische wetenschap.
- Forensic science is the application of scientific principles and technological practices
for the purpose of justice in the study and resolution of criminal, civil and regulatory
issues. (American academy of forensic sciences, 2003)
- Forensic science is a systematic endeavor to describe how events of legal concerns
have happened based on observation, hypothesis formation, and experiment.
(Sensabaugh, 1997)/
- Criminalistics is the science of individualization. (Kirk, 1963)
- Criminalistics is the science of reasoning backwards (Berger, 2009)
Definitions of criminalistics:
- that profession and scientific discipline directed to the recognition, identification,
individualization, and evaluation of physical evidence by application of the physical
and natural sciences to law-sciences matters (American Board of Criminalistics)
- that professional occupation concerned with the scientific analysis and examination of
physical evidence, its interpretation, and its presentation in court. (California
Association of Criminalists).
The difference between criminalistics and forensic science
Criminalistics is a natural science and forensic science is wider than criminalistics. Forensic
science also includes disciplines that:
- are not a physical or natural science, such as psychology of law and forensic
accountancy (these are part of forensic science, but not criminalistics);
- are not (mainly) aimed at finding the truth, such as forensic psychology and
psychiatry.
- Different countries use different terms: Kriminalistiek (B), Kriminalistik (D),
Criminalistics (US), Forensic Science (UK)
1
,Colleges criminalistiek 2020-2021
Criminalistiek wordt vaak verward met criminologie. Criminalistics is a natural science,
criminology is a social science. Criminology is the scientific study of the causation,
correction, and prevention of crime. Subdivision of the larger field of sociology.
Focus of the course
- Not on all the separate disciplines, but on what they have in common
- Not on the analysis (technology), but on the interpretation (principles)
The principles of interpretation are more:
- More generally valid within forensic science ( so it goes for all disciplines)
- Less temporary
- So, interpretation is the common part of all the various forensics disciplines, but also
how it differs from ‘normal’ academic science
- More useful for legal practitioners
Het NFI (Nederlands forensisch instituut)
Missie: On behalf of its clients, the NFI uses state-of the-art technology and science to
provide high-quality forensic services.
Motto: Aimed at truth, guided by science, for a safer society.
Organization:
The NFI does not have prosecutorial powers or duties
The NFI does not have an supervisory role over the Public Prosecution Service, the
police or other clients
The NFI is an independent services provider
2
, Colleges criminalistiek 2020-2021
Requesters are free to choose any forensic services provider
Core tasks of the NFI:
Examinations in criminal cases (70%)
Research & Development (15%)
Center of knowledge & expertise, also entails education (15%)
Dozens of forensic disciplines within the NFI
1. Medical/biological:
Tasks: DNA analysis - non-human DNA analysis - hair analysis - blood pattern analysis - age
estimation of living persons - forensic anthropology - forensic medicine - forensic pathology –
toxicology.
2. Physical and chemical:
The NFI does examinations in environmental cases involving waste products and risks -
arson, technical and material analysis - explosions and explosives - tool marks - traffic
accident investigation - weapons and ammunition. Examinations of:
Micro traces: forensic element analysis - gunshot residue analysis - glass, paint, tape
and glue analysis - chemical identification analysis - fiber and textile analysis
Drugs: drug analysis - drug production investigation - drug comparison.
3
