FORENSIC SCIENCE REVIEWER
Definition of Forensic Science
Forensic Science is the application of scientific principles, methods, and techniques to
investigate crimes and examine evidence for legal purposes. It combines biology, chemistry,
physics, medicine, and other sciences to help identify suspects, determine causes of death, and
provide reliable evidence in court.
Objectives of Forensic Science
• Identify suspects and victims.
• Analyze physical and biological evidence.
• Determine the cause, manner, and time of death.
• Reconstruct crime scenes.
• Support criminal investigations.
• Present scientific findings in court.
Branches of Forensic Science
1. Forensic Biology
• Examines blood, saliva, semen, hair, and other biological evidence.
• DNA profiling is commonly used for identification.
2. Forensic Chemistry
• Identifies drugs, poisons, explosives, and unknown chemicals.
• Uses laboratory tests to analyze substances.
3. Forensic Toxicology
• Detects alcohol, drugs, and poisons in the human body.
• Helps determine overdose, poisoning, or intoxication.
4. Forensic Pathology
• Studies the cause and manner of death.
, • Performs autopsies.
• Determines whether death is natural, accidental, suicidal, or homicidal.
5. Forensic Anthropology
• Identifies human skeletal remains.
• Determines age, sex, ancestry, stature, and possible cause of death.
6. Forensic Odontology
• Uses dental records to identify deceased individuals.
• Analyzes bite mark evidence.
7. Forensic Ballistics
• Examines firearms, bullets, cartridge cases, and gunshot residue.
• Determines the firearm used in a crime.
8. Fingerprint Examination (Dactyloscopy)
• Compares latent fingerprints found at crime scenes.
• Fingerprints are unique and permanent.
9. Questioned Document Examination
• Examines handwriting, signatures, altered documents, counterfeit money, and ink.
10. Digital Forensics
• Investigates computers, mobile phones, storage devices, and online crimes.
• Recovers deleted files and electronic evidence.
Types of Evidence
Physical Evidence
Objects collected from the crime scene.
Examples:
• Weapons • Bullets
• Clothing • Fibers
• Glass fragments
Definition of Forensic Science
Forensic Science is the application of scientific principles, methods, and techniques to
investigate crimes and examine evidence for legal purposes. It combines biology, chemistry,
physics, medicine, and other sciences to help identify suspects, determine causes of death, and
provide reliable evidence in court.
Objectives of Forensic Science
• Identify suspects and victims.
• Analyze physical and biological evidence.
• Determine the cause, manner, and time of death.
• Reconstruct crime scenes.
• Support criminal investigations.
• Present scientific findings in court.
Branches of Forensic Science
1. Forensic Biology
• Examines blood, saliva, semen, hair, and other biological evidence.
• DNA profiling is commonly used for identification.
2. Forensic Chemistry
• Identifies drugs, poisons, explosives, and unknown chemicals.
• Uses laboratory tests to analyze substances.
3. Forensic Toxicology
• Detects alcohol, drugs, and poisons in the human body.
• Helps determine overdose, poisoning, or intoxication.
4. Forensic Pathology
• Studies the cause and manner of death.
, • Performs autopsies.
• Determines whether death is natural, accidental, suicidal, or homicidal.
5. Forensic Anthropology
• Identifies human skeletal remains.
• Determines age, sex, ancestry, stature, and possible cause of death.
6. Forensic Odontology
• Uses dental records to identify deceased individuals.
• Analyzes bite mark evidence.
7. Forensic Ballistics
• Examines firearms, bullets, cartridge cases, and gunshot residue.
• Determines the firearm used in a crime.
8. Fingerprint Examination (Dactyloscopy)
• Compares latent fingerprints found at crime scenes.
• Fingerprints are unique and permanent.
9. Questioned Document Examination
• Examines handwriting, signatures, altered documents, counterfeit money, and ink.
10. Digital Forensics
• Investigates computers, mobile phones, storage devices, and online crimes.
• Recovers deleted files and electronic evidence.
Types of Evidence
Physical Evidence
Objects collected from the crime scene.
Examples:
• Weapons • Bullets
• Clothing • Fibers
• Glass fragments
