Mr. Garside March 18th, 2024
Forensic Evidence
On the first day of forensics week, Mr. Garside introduced the class to the basics of forensics in homicides or suicides. In a homicide case, you determine, through physical and circumstantial evidence. The HOW+WHY=WHO, forensic evidence helps determine all of these components. The WHY can be found within preexisting cases, through DNA evidence. The HOW is determined by how they died and what led to the death.
"The details of the matter are its most crucial/significant/essential aspect."
Forensic evidence is obtained by scientific methods such as ballistics, blood tests, and DNA tests and used in court. For evidence to be considered forensic evidence, it must be able to be examined and tested by a person with special training and they must be able to give a legal or expert opinion on it. Forensic evidence is used to help establish if a possible suspect is guilty or innocent. The analysis of forensic evidence is used in investigations and prosecutions of criminal and civil proceedings. Forensic evidence is only sometimes in a case, it may not be found, there may not be enough to test, there truly is none, or the evidence could have been destroyed. One of the most dangerous forms of forensic evidence is digital forensics. Once something is said, posted, or deleted on the internet, it can still be accessed for the next two years. Most types of cars have an EDR, event data recorder, which can track and expose how fast the car was going, how much break was used, when the car accelerated, etc.
To be a good forensic investigator, you must keep up with the common news, religion, lifestyles, and internet trends. You also must pay attention to detail and be able to think outside the box. When thinking, you must be able to see the forest for the trees and think as the detective, prosecutor, suspect, and attorney. When you look at a crime scene, look at the details. Start at the top of the image and work your way in to ensure you see every detail. Mr. Garside discussed some of the myths of forensic evidence, most of which are developed from T.V. shows. Some of the only T.V. shows he can manage to watch are Criminal Minds and the old Law and Order. At the end of his presentation, Mr. Garsdie showed the class some past cases he worked on and allowed us to try and determine whether it was a suicide or murder.
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