Research, forensic science

Committee on DNA Technology in Forensic Science ReportF 2L ion.S. Research Council, Committee on DNA Technology in Forensic Science, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1992. 

He then joined the Central Research Establishment of the Home Office Forensic Science Service (as it then was) at Aldermaston where he developed thermogravimetry-MS, pyrolysis-MS, GC-MS and LC-MS methodologies for the identification of analytes associated with crime investigations. It was here that his interest in LC-MS began with the use of an early moving-belt interface. This interest continued during periods of employment with two manufacturers of LC-MS equipment, namely Kratos and subsequently Interion, the UK arm of the Vestec Corporation of Houston, Texas, the company set up by Marvin Vestal, the primary developer of the thermospray LC-MS interface. 

King VL, Kidorf MS, Stoller KB, Carter JA Brooner RK (2001). Influence of antisocial personality subtypes on drug abuse treatment response. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 189, 593-601 Kintz P (2001). Deaths involving buprenorphine a compendium of French cases. Forensic Science International, 121, 65-9 Klee H (1992). A new target for behavioural research - amphetamine use. British Journal of Addiction, 87, 439-46 Klee H, Faugier J, Hayes C, Boulton T Morris J (1990). Aids-related risk behaviour, polydrug use and temazepam. British Journal of Addiction, 85, 1125-32... 

Chromatography and electrophoresis (separation according to electrical charge) are used extensively in medical research and forensic science laboratories to separate a variety of mixtures (Figure 2.27). 

Mediterranean, temperate, boreal, and polar ecosystems. His interests in forensic taphonomy arose from a research activity in organic nutrient patch dynamics in soils, the principles of which he has applied to forensic science. Dr. Tibbett is currently director of the Centre for Land Rehabilitation at the University of Western Australia. 

In order to carry out development programs in forensic science, the Institute of Chemical Analysis, Applications and Forensic Science was established. This Institute, a separate organization on campus, has research and training as its main activities with special emphasis in the application of chemical analysis to forensic science. The Institute is further developing programs at the present time in pharmaceutical analysis and energy research its overall philosophy is thus the application of chemical expertise to social problems through the team efforts of chemists and practitioners. 

Research must be an important component of the university graduate program in forensic science. While such efforts will typically be of longer range significance than found in studies conducted in on-going criminalistics laboratories, it is necessary that the needs of forensic science be always kept in mind. This can only be accomplished by close communication between personnel in the Institute and the forensic science community. 

While forensic science input is perhaps the most important, relevant information from several areas such as analytical techniques, toxicology, materials science, biology, etc. is often necessary. This means that the most effective approach is achieved through the formation of interdisciplinary teams for the attack on particular research problems. This interdisciplinary approach is, of course, required in any complex area involving problems of social relevance. 

Specific Projects. Having discussed those components necessary for successful performance of research, we will examine some of the projects currently in progress (or recently completed) in forensic science. 

With these introductory comments in mind we would now like to examine the M.S. program in forensic chemistry that is being planned for September 1975 at Northeastern University. Personnel from the Institute visited many of the schools listed in Table I, as well as a number of practicing laboratories. We wish to thank all those who freely gave advice without their help we would not have been able to advance to the present stage. As in research, a team effort was made by members of the Institute in the curriculum development. Personnel experienced in forensic science interacted with chemists, toxicologists and materials scientists to achieve a final program. 

This paper has outlined activities in forensic science over the past several years at Northeastern University. The establishment of the Institute of Chemical Analysis, Applications and Forensic Science has greatly aided in the development of forensic research and educational programs. Several years ago Bradford and Samuel (10) recommended the establishment of forensic science institutes to provide service to the profession. While we have not exactly followed their ideas, there are similarities between their recommendations and our activities. As time progresses, it is hoped that research and education at this Institute will make significant contributions to the field of forensic science. 

Over the past five years at the national level, NILECJ has funded a number of significant research projects in the forensic science area. Many of these projects have included the refinement or development of new techniques and instrumentation to facilitate the examination of physical evidence. Research also has examined the operations of laboratories and the manner in which they interface with other components of the criminal justice system. Other research has contributed to the development of completely new fields, such as voiceprint identification, which are now outside the scope of most forensic laboratory capabilities. 

In FY 1973, select categories of research were designated as high priority areas forensic science manpower needs, management and evaluation practices, and laboratory technique development. Several of the projects funded are nearing completion, or have been completed, and merit a brief review. 

Personnel. On July 15, 1973, the Institute awarded a grant to the Forensic Sciences Foundation, which is an adjunct to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. The Foundation, the research arm of the Academy, is tackling a problem at the very heart of the entire forensic science profession the availability and qualifications of scientific personnel. The qualifications of individuals practicing in the forensic disciplines range from poor to excellent and reflect their innate abilities as well as their education and training. 

Laboratory Techniques. In addition to the previous research programs which address the personnel and management information needs of forensic science laboratories, the National Institute is funding research to improve instrumentation and analytical techniques applied to the analysis of physical evidence. The Aerospace Corporation of El Segundo, California, and the Law Enforcement Standards Laboratory of the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) have served as prime contractors to the Institute in the laboratory technique area. Although space does not permit a complete discussion of all projects underway at Aerospace and NBS, I will describe two project areas which are of great interest to forensic science practitioners and researchers. 

This leads to a brief discussion of the Institute s FY 1975 research plans. Several of the projects described earlier will be continued through to completion. Ideas for new research are being considered. Above all, the Institute intends to continue the development of a nationally coordinated program of research which will maximize the contributions of the forensic sciences to the criminal justice system and society in general. 

Through the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, the Federal Government is funding significant research in forensic science (Peterson). Proposals for funding are reviewed by experienced forensic scientists to ensure that those which address themselves to urgent, current... 

It is hoped that this volume will lead to further advances in forensic science through an increased communication of ideas and skills. The growth of physical evidence utilization has created great educational, employment, and research opportunities which are likely to continue for many years. 

Dr. Yinon conducted research, as a senior research fellow, at the Weizmann Institute of Science for over 35 years. He was a research associate (1971-1973) and a senior research associate (1976-1977) at Caltech s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena, California) and spent sabbatical leaves as a visiting scientist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Research Triangle Park, North Carolina) (1980-1981), the EPA Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory (Las Vegas, Nevada) (1988-1989), and the University of Florida (Gainesville, Florida) (1993-1994). His last appointment in the U.S., before returning to Israel, was as visiting professor and assistant director at UCF s National Center for Forensic Science (Orlando, Florida) (2000-2003). 

Suppose that a suspect in a theft investigation is a researcher in a biology laboratory. The suspect frequently works with formaldehyde, CH20. Police officers find traces of a substance at the crime scene, and send samples to the Centre for Forensic Science. The forensic analysts find that the substance contains a compound that has an empirical formula of CH20. Will this evidence help to convict the suspect Not necessarily. 

Analytical chemists are employed in industrial research, academic research, and forensic science. Their job usually involves two different types of work qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis. A qualitative analysis determines which substances are present. A quantitative analysis determines how much of a specific substance is present. 

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