How Forensic Evidence Can Make or Break a Case
Forensic identification refers to the application of relevant theories and technical methods in forensic medicine, focusing on the human body as the primary subject of identification, to effectively resolve legal issues related to personal injury, body characteristics, and physiological and pathological conditions. Since ancient times, forensic identification has played a vital role in safeguarding people's lives and safety. With the rapid advancement of society and science and technology, criminals' methods of crime have become increasingly sophisticated and professional. The determination of facts in a wide range of cases requires scientific and technological means and professional knowledge. A sound forensic identification system is a crucial component of a modern legal system and a key guarantee for the accuracy and scientific nature of forensic identification results.
British and American Forensic Identification Systems
1. United Kingdom
The current British forensic identification system consists primarily of three components: the Coroner, the Police Surgeon, and the Forensic Pathologist. The UK's forensic expertise system can be divided into two systems:
A forensic expertise system that provides services to the police
A forensic expertise system overseen by the Home Office that provides services to the public
This system also allows the police to access assistance when necessary. The two forensic expertise systems established in the UK are sometimes adversarial in the UK litigation structure. In UK evidence law, there is no clear distinction between expert evaluations, conclusions, and witness testimony. Experts are typically hired by the parties involved, so experts hired by both sides often provide different opinions on the same issue, and defense lawyers can cross-examine the experts. This helps determine the scientific validity and accuracy of the conclusions. Furthermore, the UK currently implements an expert qualification system, requiring coroners, police surgeons, and forensic pathologists to possess relevant academic qualifications and professional experience before practicing in this field. This system ensures that expert experts are highly specialized and expert.
2. United States
The US legal system is one of the most comprehensive in the world, and its forensic expertise is at the forefront. The United States also has a diverse forensic expertise system. Forensic forensic expertise can be broadly divided into two categories: forensic pathology and crime laboratories.
The duties of American forensic examiners are summarized as follows:
First, sudden or violent death; second, accidents, suicide, or homicide; third, suspicious cases. Fourth, public health and prison health checks are all handled by forensic examiners. The US police system is the largest forensic expertise system. In addition, many research institutions and universities in the United States also have forensic science labs, and some individuals have established their own forensic science laboratories. These forensic examiners generally provide medical expertise to defense attorneys in criminal cases and also provide some services to the police. The United States and the United Kingdom share a similar approach, implementing an expert qualification system. However, the qualifications of American forensic examiners are not determined through examinations or other means, but are determined by juries and judges based on specific circumstances. Forensic pathology primarily involves the following:
1. Determining the cause of death, primarily determining whether it was natural death (due to illness or old age) or unnatural death (due to violence). When both injuries and illness are present, the relationship between the injuries, illness, and death must be analyzed. If multiple fatal injuries are present, the primary cause of death should be determined to clarify who bears primary responsibility for death.
2. Determining the manner of death, that is, determining whether it was homicide, suicide, or accidental death. Determining the manner of death is more complex than determining the cause of death and often requires a comprehensive analysis combined with the on-site inspection and case investigation before reaching a conclusion.
3. Estimating the time of death, which refers to the time between death and the autopsy. Estimating the time of death helps define the scope of the investigation and is primarily based on physical findings and biochemical changes on the body, combined with local and temporal conditions.
4. Identifying the object of death, primarily based on the shape, size, extent, and other characteristics of the injury, such as any attachments within the injury, or the nature, method, and method of formation of bite marks, strangulation marks, binding marks, injection needle holes, and various instrumental marks. Fifth, it is to distinguish between antmortem and postmortem injuries, that is, to infer whether the deceased's injuries were inflicted antmortem or postmortem, and the time elapsed since the injuries. During the identification process, the deceased's gender, height, age, blood type, etc. can also be inferred through examination of bones, teeth, and hair.