ABSTRACT
FORENSIC SCIENCE AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION In its broadest sense, forensic science, or criminalistics, is the application of the natural and physical sciences, such as biology, chemistry, physics, and geology, to the law. More speci”cally, “Forensic science is the application of science to the criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system” (Saferstein, 2009, p. 5) For the purposes of this text, forensic science is explored as it relates to its contribution to
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
A’er reading this chapter, you should be able to do the following:
1. De”ne forensic science and its use in the criminal investigative process. 2. Identify the major responsibilities of the forensic scientist. 3. Discuss the potential information generated from the forensic analysis of
physical evidence. 4. Discuss the potential results generated from the forensic analysis of physical
evidence. 5. Describe the divisions of a typical, full-service crime laboratory. 6. List specialized forensic services available to investigators.
