ABSTRACT

The focus of this chapter is the major vector of information available to humans that enables them to know, with a certain degree of confidence, past facts that cannot be reproduced. Traces, vestiges andremnants are often more important than writings, which express the viewpoints, wills or conceptions of their authors. Archaeology has revisited many historical facts that were reported but subsequently shown to be wrong or biased when historical vestiges were considered. What is valid for ancient history is just as valid for recent histories such as crimes. Building models of what happened using science is a difficultbut exceedingly rich process. Information, data andfindings are of interest to investigation, courts andcriminologists, as they negate impossible theories or propositions while they support others to various documented degrees. This essentially problem-solving discipline is plagued by misuse of conceptual vocabulary, a practice that highlights the gap between practitioners coming from other traditional scientific disciplines and forensic scientists.