Forensic Science & Ethics
You might have come across in the news many cases of murder, burglary, and similar other occurrences of crime, which are solved by the Police Department. The Police personnel use Forensic Science in their investigation, to analyze clues and find the truth to book the culprits behind those crimes. Forensic Science is a branch of Science and Technology – including and not limited – to pathology, psychology, criminology, toxicology, entomology, molecular biology and so on.
Instances where Forensic Science is used:
For example, the body of a young girl is found inside a bush in a remote area. Police suspect it may be a case of rape and murder. The body is taken to the hospital for postmortem. During postmortem, it is found out that the girl has been raped and murdered and a fight must have taken place between the girl and the culprit (s). Forensic experts collect tissues from the finger nails of the girl and traces of semen found in her productive organ.
The Forensic Lab researches the tissues and particles of semen and records the details of DNA (a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions of molecules) in cells. These details are matched with the body cells of the suspected-accused, to establish whether that person is involved in that crime or not.
Similarly a burglary takes place in a jewelry mart at dead of night. Forensic experts collect the finger prints available at the scene of occurrence and match them with those suspected in that case. The investigation report along with that of the Forensic Lab is submitted in the Court as evidence to prove the guilt of the accused.
Ethics in Forensic Science:
You are aware that Ethics means following the principles of natural justice, in all the activities without fear or favor in a neutral way. In other words, ethics is self-disciplined behavior in a society and up-keeping moral values in one’s business or profession. As Forensic Science is used to put the clues of a particular occurrence into finding the truth, and experts render testimony in Courts of Law, it is most essential that the evidence should be on Ethical Standards, not to be misleading or false.
Significance of Ethics in Forensic Science:
In all countries normally Forensic Labs are part of the Law Enforcing Machinery under the Government. More specifically, the Forensic Experts are working for the Police and chances are, they are influenced by the Police force to win the cases in Courts. They are also obligated to the Public Prosecutor in providing evidence in favor of the Police Department in the Court.
Therefore the significance of Ethics need not be stressed in providing reports and testimony in such cases, as it involves life or death for the accused, apart from loss of money and social prestige, in the event of unethical and biased evidence by Forensic experts.
Professional Standards of Ethics in Forensic Science Departments
Although some ethical codes are defined for Criminalists and Forensic Scientists of their respective departments in all the countries, a universally-acceptable Professional Standards of Ethics is elusive and yet to be arrived at and implemented. The need for such standards is felt immensely, as the awareness of the vital role of Forensic Scientists in criminal cases is enlarging on various fields.
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