Forensic Science

Michael asked:

All of us must have heard about the word “Forensic Science or Forensics” every now and then. You must have read excerpts, articles and technologies related to forensic science-its benefits, disadvantages and scope. Let me give you a better description about this new branch of science.

What is Forensic science?

Forensic science (often shortened to forensics) is the application of a broad spectrum of sciences to answer questions of interest to the legal system. This may be in relation to a crime or to a civil action. But more specifically, the term “forensics”, encompasses the accepted norms and methods under which, the facts regarding an event, or an artifact, exists in determining whether an object is in fact what it purports to be, or is alleged as being.

Forensic Anthropology is the application of the science of physical anthropology and human osteology (the study of the human skeleton) in a legal setting, most often in criminal cases where the victim’s remains are more or less skeletonized.

Forensic Pathology is a branch of Pathology concerned with determining the cause of death by examination of a cadaver. The autopsy is performed by the pathologist at the request of a coroner usually during the investigation of criminal law cases and civil law cases in some jurisdictions.

Forensic science has been extensively used to solve murder, criminal and other cases in which no direct clue or evidence could not be obtained. Forensic Science has definitely made criminal investigations and other legal disputes easy and quick to solve. Thanks to its’ pioneers!