12 06 2012 Criminal justice Chapter 3 visions Forensic science in criminal or civil cases is an attempt to provide scientific support in determination of facts also plays significant role in civil cases but most often associated with criminal Justice growth in tools available to criminalist evidence in criminal trial concerns the intent motive and opportunity to commit a crime history earliest known recordings have been credited to the Chinese who used fingerprints to establish the identity of documents and clay sculptures prior to 1902 there was no formal training in forensic science some advancements during 1900s voice print identification comparison microscope for studying bullets blood grouping procedures text identification of documents DNA in court proceedings medical examiner best known individual Involved in forensic investigation Responsible to determine extent of injuries present cause and time of injuries and cause of death forensic entomology entails insects and their arthropod relatives that inhabit decomposing remains provide valuable info such as est time of death forensic serology determination of type and characteristics of blood blood testing bloodstain exam semen saliva and other body fluids that may or may not be involved with DNA testing admissibility and use forensic evidence in court united states v frye 1923 supreme court case est general acceptance test to determine whether scientific evidence is admissible in court frye case identified two key elements to scientific identification 1 identifiable scientific community in which principle is compatible 2 acceptance procedure related to the principle by the scientific community of which it is a part more reliable than eye witness identification forensic organizations American academy of forensic sciences AAFS the forensic sciences foundations in FSF American college of forensic examiners ACFE American society of crime lab directors ASCLD advances in forensic science have assisted in search for truth using forensic evidence is not without its problems When experts reach completely diff conclusions regarding same evidence technical explanations given by experts in a court proceeding may be too complex for some jurors to understand possibly leading to a misinterpretation of the evidence during jury deliberation technology and prisons technological advances in last 25 years impact prisons becoming prevalent in the penal system biometrics based on principle everyone has unique physical attributes that computer can be programmed to recognize biometric scanning used in identification of verification of individual finger scanning oldest most prominent Biometric authentication technology used by millions eye scanning 1 retina examine blood vessel patterns of retina the nerve tissue lining inside of eye that s sensitive to light 2 iris digital process record and compare the light and dark patterns of the iris flecks and rings something akin to a human bar code biometric hand unit employs mini camera to capture digital template of back of individuals hand analyze size shape width thickness and surface of the hand hand scan geometry used to identify inmates employees visitors and correction facilities facial recognition measures peak and valleys of face tip of nose and depth of eye sockets which are nodal points human face has 80 nodal points electric stun lethal fences largest contributor to keeping inmates locked up has been introducing To electric fences also lethal fences 1992 california began installing electronic fences around prisons six factors affect probability of detection of most surveillance sensors amount pattern of emitted energy size distance speed direction reflection videoconferencing have become common in prison Individual can see and talk to one another around the world allows prisoners more contact with outside world and can be used in court hearing prison visits and telemedicine issues with tehnology save time and money enhance effectiveness efficiency of security constitutional issues reliability costs inhumane nature problems with tech constitutional issues right to privacy bigger issue when biometrics is used in conjunction with smart codes 8th amendment concerning curel and unusual punishment great deal of criticism of use of electroshock devices and lethal fences because viewed as violating 8th amendment right reliable accuracy major issue is that automated biometric systems not 100 foolproof problem with trace scanners geophone detectors high cost technology start up costs too high for some states recommendations abuse subjected to manipulation and more need to be done to prevent unauthorized use of tech by prison personnel state fed should ensure tech databases in prison physically secure prevent constitutional challenges to use of technology In prisons maximize use of tech all states should establish tech review committees state fed government should force manufacturers of these devices supervision in orisons supervised technological innovations spurred development of new devices to improve undeniably true that through the use of gadgetry large inmates can be prisons have become part of the tech landscape and technology will continue to affect way prisons operated in the united states 12 06 2012 12 06 2012