Forensic Science
Part 1: Examine the timeline (below) and discuss which of the listed technologies you think has made the biggest impact on forensic science. To do this, (Segment A) identify and briefly explain each technology, stating which are inventions and which are discoveries.
Then (Segment B) state which invention or discovery do you think was the most important in changing the way forensic investigations are carried out, or improving the quality of the findings?
You will need to do some research before you make your decision, so make sure you explain and justify your reasons using valid research and references.
44BC The first recorded autopsy was that of Julius Caesar 1300s The first forensics textbook was produced. 1600s French doctor Ambroise Pare laid the foundations for modern forensic pathology through his study of trauma on human organs. 1820 Eugene Francois Vidocq pioneered the first use of ballistics and began taking plaster casts of shoe imprints. 1830 Chemist James Marsh used standard scientific testing to determine that a man murdered his grandfather by arsenic poisoning. This assay is now known as the Marsh test. 1890 1910 First use of the Henry System for fingerprint classification. Edmund Locard developed the 12 matching points for fingerprint comparison. He was also responsible for one of the principle tenets of forensic science, that of “every contact leaves a trace”. The first method for determining ABO blood groups from dried bloodstains was developed 1920 Dr Calvin Goddard used comparison microscopy to compare shell casings from the scene of the St Val-entine’s Day Massacre, which led to a raid on Al ‘Scarface’ Capone’s home and the recovery of two of the weapons from the come. 1930s Luminol began to be used in the identification of blood stains. 1980s Development of DNA profiling, and the establishment of DNA databases such as CODIS, which can be used for comparison of DNA profiles recovered from come scenes and suspects.
Present your work in a word (or similar) document. You should write 200-400 words for each segment, plus a reference list. You can use photos or diagrams to help with your presentation.
Part 2: One of the tools forensic scientists could use to help identify DNA samples is a collection of everyone’s DNA. kept in a huge digital DNA database. Such a database may make it easier for forensic scientists to match crime scene DNA samples with a specific person but this sort of data collection does raise ethical questions.
Read through the following articles: – https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6149425/emerging-dna-technology-will-impinge-on-privacy-civil-liberties-australia/ – https://www.yourgenome.org/debates/is-it-ethical-to-have-a-national-dna-database
Do some research and answer the question – Should we have a national DNA database?
To do this give (Segment A) an overview of the ethical argument related to DNA databases and some background information on DNA databases currently in use. Then (Segment B) decide whether you would register your DNA? Where do you stand on this issue of DNA databases? Write an argument to support your stance. should we have National DNA databases — why/why not? Make sure you explain and justify your reasons using valid research and references.
es, we should have a National DNA tabase No, we Should not have a Nateon D database We could find out who committed crimes in the past, which would close cases and help victims and their families. It is an invasion of our privacy. People would know who I was related to. That information shouldn’t be publican, available. When there are natural disasters a will help us to identify victims and connect them with family and do it fast It would cost so much money to build the database, collect the DNA and maintain it that it just wouldn’t be worth a. If there are clear laws about who can and can’t access the information and what the info can and can’t be used for then a would be okay Even if we did have someone’s DNA and their name, if we didn’t have their current address or phone number what good is the information. There should be a National Database in other countries but in Australia we don’t need one as we don’t have that many criminals or natural disasters. There could be rules and laws in place to police who can access the information and why but these rules can always be broken and the information is too personal to risk it The damage that could be done is too much to risk a. Yes, we should have a database to fight cnme but a should only be voluntary not compulsory What if people could see if I have a genetic disease – that sort of information is private and shouldn’t be recorded outside medical documents. What rf employers found out and didn’t hire me because I was going to get sick in 10 years’ time? It might act as a deterrent for criminals and so prevent crime. No it wouldn’t stop crime There would still be crimes of passion. It would stop people from being wrongly accused of a crime tf there was DNA evidence and a match found in the database We could still end up wrongly convicting people if there Is a problem vnth the database or human error.
Present your work in a word (or similar) document. You should write 200-400 words for each segment, plus a reference list. You can use photos or diagrams to help with your presentation.
Part 3: Create an information poster to cover these topics:
(Segment A) How to become a forensic scientist (e.g. what to study, how long does it take, how to get a job, how much do they get paid, etc.)
(Segment B) Why become a forensic scientist (e.g. how do forensic scientists help society? What is the important role they play? How does forensic science affect your everyday life? Etc.)
Your poster must be digital and can be either a single A3 sized poster, or two consecutive A4 sized posters.
Present your work in a word (or similar) document. You should write 200-400 words for each segment, plus a reference list. You will need to use photos or diagrams to help with your presentation.
Suggested Template for Part 1
Segment A
Timeline of Forensic Technologies Start with a short introduction statement to introduce the topic, then use the timeline given to identify the major technologies related to forensic science. Research and write a brief statement about each technology to describe them. Categorize each technology you identify as either a discovery or an invention. Aim to write 1-2 sentences for each and a total of 200-400 words.
When was if first used/invented Description Why is it Important to the timeline of forensics? Technology: first forensic textbook (discovery or invention)?
Segment B
Technology with biggest Impact Choose one of the technology’s listed above. Research and discuss this technology in more detail. Describe how and why it has had a major impact on forensic science. Justify your choice using references to your research and findings. Aim to write 200-400 words
Reference List You can use: http://www.citethisforme.com/apa/source-type to help you write your reference list.
Suggested Template for Part 2
Segment A
Introduction What is a DNA Database? Research and discuss this in more detail, make sure you keep a good reference list for your research. (Write 100-200 Words)
