Unit 3 AC 1.2 - Assess the Usefulness of Investigative Techniques
in Criminal Investigations
, Unit 3 AC 1.2 - Assess the Usefulness of Investigative Techniques in Criminal Investigations
AC 1.2 - Assess the Usefulness of Investigative
Techniques in Criminal Investigations
Forensics
One type of investigative technique used in criminal
investigations is forensics. This is the analysis of evidence
which is collected from the crime scene by experts.
One example of a forensic technique is fingerprint analysis.
Forensic experts are able to match fingerprint samples of
suspects to those found at a crime scene.
One strength is that they are highly reliable as everyone has
their own unique fingerprints. They can also collect DNA
through blood samples which can also be found in a crime
scene. For example in the case of Colin Pitchfork, where police
were requesting blood samples from all men living in an area
and had found the DNA of Colin Pitchfork on the murder
victims.
Another important strength is that it can be used to exonerate
innocent people. For example, use of DNA has overturned over
250 jury-convicted individuals in the US.
Also new techniques are always being developed and criminals
can now be found through relatives matching DNA. DNA can
also be used to solve historical cases such as Colette Aram.
Another strength is that there are protocols that should be
followed by these experts to ensure the evidence does not get
contaminated.
One weakness of forensic techniques such as DNA testing is
that it can be quite expensive
Also they are not always 100% effective so this can affect how
useful it actually is.