Physiological Sciences: A Guide To Forensic Subdivisions

Physiological science is a type of biology that focuses on the study of the human body and how it functions. Forensic science is closely tied to this since forensics is a system of using science to help provide proof and answers for legal and criminal cases. Forensics is a very broad field that can be broken down into several sub sectors! including the physiology! criminalistics! digital analysis! and social sciences.

Forensic Aerial Photography

Forensic aerial photography is a bit different from standard forensic photography that tends to focus in on accident and crime scenes. Forensic aerial photography involves recording images from above to show the full scale of an area or scene in "uestion.

#econstructing Traffic Accidents $ %earn how police use forensic aerial photography to investigate road accidents.

Forensic Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of the development and evolution of the human race. &hen combined with forensics! it can be used to identify the remains of a body! even if it is heavily decomposed or destroyed in some other ways. Forensic Anthropologists $ Find out more about what forensic anthropologists do with e'amples of how they study a body or skeleton. Forensic Anthropology #esources $ A forensic anthropologist supplies numerous links and resources for those interested in this field. American (oard of Forensic Anthropology $ This organi)ation provides helpful information for those new to forensic anthropology along with a list of recogni)ed educational programs.

Forensic Archeology

Archaeologists typically try to find clues about the distant past through a series of speciali)ed techni"ues and procedures. Forensic archaeologists use the same methods but for the purpose of uncovering the truth behind various crimes or accidents. &hat is Forensic Archaeology* +P,F- $ An outline of the uses of forensic archeology! employment details and procedures. Finding .issing People $ #ead about how forensic archaeologists are employed to help find missing people or bodies. A Guide to Forensic Archaeology $ This is an easy guide to learning more about forensic archeology with additional links supplied at the end.

Forensic Astronomy

Forensic astronomy uses astronomy principles and knowledge to help date issues where there is information available about the skies at a certain point in time. Although forensic astronomy is not used very often! it has been used in tandem with art history. Forensic Astronomy and Art $ ,onald /lson! one of the leading forensic astronomers! analy)es the skies in paintings and even literature to help provide an accurate date for them. #eal %ife 0ses of Forensic Astronomy $ Skim through some e'amples of how forensic astronomy was used to solve real life problems.

Forensic Botany

Forensic botany is a fairly new sub sector in the field of forensics. 1t uses an intimate knowledge of plants to provide information in crime cases. An 1ntro to Forensic (otany $ This primer serves as an e'cellent introduction of forensic botany to lay people. The 2ase of (runo #ichard 3auptmann $ &hen a wood e'pert4s child was abducted! he used his e'pertise in trees and wood to help identify the kidnapper. Forensic (otany Presentation +PPT- $ A presentation on forensic botany e'plains this field in greater detail along with some of the techni"ues that are used.

Forensic Chemistry

Forensic chemistry has a number of applications including reconstructing possible chemical occurrences and proving the presence of a chemical. Forensic 2hemists $ This is a broad look at a forensic chemist4s 5ob details! the per re"uisite education and training and more. Forensic 2hemistry #esources $ (rowse through this large list of articles! information! and procedural topics all related to forensic chemistry.

Computational Forensics

2omputational forensics uses computer generated images! models! simulated se"uences and recognition tools to aid in investigative work. This field approaches investigations in a "uantitative way! making it faster and easier for police to narrow down possibilities. .atching Fingerprints $ /ne way that computational forensics is being put to use is by determining the likelihood of a fingerprint belonging to a suspect.

Forensic Dactyloscopy

,actyloscopy is the formal term for the scientific study of foot and finger prints for the purposes of identifying a person. Forensic dactyloscopy is very fre"uently used in investigations and is now also being used digitally as a means of providing entry through electronic machines. ,actyloscopy Techni"ues $ %earn about latent! patent and plastic fingerprints! as well as how to read the patterns in a print. The Science of Fingerprints $ This article on the science and art of analy)ing fingerprints also includes several helpful related resources at the end. A 6uick Guide to ,actyl oscopy $ #ead a brief history of origins of fingerprinting and how it has evolved over the past century.

Digital Forensics

,igital forensics might sound similar to computational forensics but it is "uite different. ,igital forensics deals with investigating and recovering data from digital machines including computers that may have only been in use several decades ago. A Guide to ,igital Forensics +P,F- $ An easy to follow downloadable series details the basics of digital forensics and its uses in the legal field. ,igital Forensics #esources $ This vast list of digital forensic online resources covers notable professionals in the field! related conferences! academic papers! articles! tools! and plenty more. ,igital Forensics .aga)ine $ #ead about the latest updates and news in the world of digital forensics.

Forensic DNA Analysis

Forensic ,7A analysis studies ,7A samples that are e'tracted from bodily fluids! skin or hair samples! or items that were touched by a person. This field only came about fairly recently thanks to the advances in science and technology. All About Forensic ,7A Analysis $ A look at how forensic ,7A analysis is carried out and how it is used in different circumstances. A 3istory of Forensic ,7A Analysis $ Forensic ,7A analysis first started in 89:; and advanced rapidly in the ne't couple of decades. 1dentification Through ,7A $ Find out how suspects are identified through ,7A and why this procedure has become standard practice in murder and rape cases.

Forensic Engineering

Forensic engineers study and analy)e the parts and structures of machines pertinent to a case to determine why a failure may have occurred. .ost forensic engineering investigations occur in civil cases rather than criminal ones. A 2ourse on Forensic <ngineering $ Get a more in depth knowledge of forensic engineering by browsing through this full! free online course. (ecoming a Forensic <ngineer $ Find out what it takes to become a forensic engineer and the training that is re"uired beforehand. .ore on Forensic <ngineers $ %earn about some of the soft skills that forensic engineers need to have.

Forensic Entomology

<ntomology is a field of science that studies insects and similar creatures. 1n forensics! it is used in con5unctions with investigations revolving around deaths! as well as to determine the use of drugs! a location and other factors. A ,efinition of Forensic <ntomology $ #eview what forensic entomology entails and how it is used in police investigations. An <'planation of Forensic <ntomology $ This brief article outlines the process of how corpses attract insects and how they are studied by investigators. 2lues from (ugs $ See how insects and larvae are collected and analy)ed at crime scenes.

Forensic Geophysics

Geophysics! another fairly modern field! uses highly speciali)ed technology to survey the ground to tell whether a body may be hidden beneath the surface! even well after the decomposition stages. 3ow ,oes Forensic Geophysics &ork* $ Find out about the benefits of using forensic geophysics to locate missing bodies in an investigation. 0sing Forensic Geophysics $ &hat are the best situations to bring in forensics geophysics e'perts and how do they help* %ocating (odies $ Forensic geophysics helps investigators locate bodies using fewer resources and without the need to dig large areas unnecessarily.

Forensic Geology

Forensic geologists study the earth! soil samples and ground conditions to develop insight into how a crime might have played out. The =ohn ,odson .urder $ #ead about the beginnings of forensic geology and one of its most famous cases. A Guide to Forensic Geology +P,F- $ %earn all about forensic geology with this very detailed paper that discusses the entire field.

Forensic Geology 2ase Studies $ These notable case studies in forensic geology have since taught investigators several important lessons.

Forensic Intelligence

Forensic intelligence is a field that studies the latest developments in technology and science and aims to incorporate them into e'isting forensic research procedures. A ,efinition of Forensic 1ntelligence $ This definition provides a succinct but useful understanding of the field of forensic intelligence. An /verview of Forensic 1ntelligence +P,F- $ Forensic intelligence is another recent but vital field for police and other authorities.

Forensic Limnology

%imnology is the scientific study of bodies of water that lie inland! such as ponds! lakes! streams and rivers. All About Forensic %imnology $ Forensic limnology includes the study of the ecosystems that revolve around these areas and can help to provide answers in cases of drowning or dating a waterlogged body or item. Forensic %imnology 2ase Study +P,F- $ Studying the development of freshwater algae leads to the suspect in this case.

Forensic Linguistics

Forensic linguistics uses the knowledge of many different languages in an investigative and legal conte't. 1t can be used to understand foreign law and to translate communications in crime cases. A Primer on Forensic %inguistics $ Forensic linguists can also be employed to work on voice identification or to determine the dialect of a suspect. Forensic %inguistics and Te't .essaging $ Forensic linguists use their knowledge of regional dialects to identify a suspect through te 't messages.

Forensic Meteorology

Forensic meteorologists interpret the weather at a specific point in time by analy)ing past recorded data as well as personal accounts to get an accurate idea of the climate conditions at the time. &hat do Forensic .eteorologists ,o* $ Forensic meteorologists can be called upon to provide weather information for many different types of cases including criminal events and insurance claims.

&eather &itnesses $ Forensic meteorologists are used in numerous cases and their testimonies are often as important as hard evidence.

Mobile Device Forensics

Analysts who work in mobile device forensics study and recover data specifically from mobile devices such as cell phones! digital cameras! and smart phones. .obile ,evice Forensics and the %aw +P,F- $ %earn about how mobile devices may be confiscated in some cases and legal issues that revolve around this field.

Forensic

!ontology

Forensic odontology comprises of handling! studying and analy)ing teeth and other dental artifacts in a case! such as tooth marks. A Guide to Forensic /dontology $ Forensic odontologists need a thorough background in dentistry and dental radiography. A Presentation on Forensic /dontology +P,F- $ %earn about forensic odontology training re"uirements! methodology for dating and determining tooth records and how it is used in mass death situations.

Forensic

ptometry

1n forensic optometry! analysts study vision aids! such as glasses! sunglasses and contact lenses that may have been used by people in a case. The Suspect4s Spectacles $ 1n this true case! a forensic optometrist identifies a killer from the glasses he left behind at the crime scene.

Forensic Pathology

Forensic pathologists aim to find the reason behind a person4s death by deriving clues from the corpse. Forensic Pathology =obs $ This "uestion and answer series covers a number of common "ueries regarding forensic pathology as a career. A ,ay in the %ife of a Forensic Pathologist $ Follow a forensic pathologist through a typical day to learn about typical responsibilities and duties.

Forensic Po!iatry

Forensic podiatry typically focuses on the anatomy and issues related to the foot and lower regions. #eading Feet $ Find out how a forensic podiatrist read footprints or even shoeprints to determine physical traits about a suspect.

Forensic Psychology

2ourts sometimes summon a forensic psychologist to determine a person4s mental state and competence.

Forensic "eismology

<'pert knowledge of the earth4s movements is used by forensic seismologists for many different reasons! such as analy)ing e'plosions and bombs. 0ses of Forensic Seismology $ %earn how forensic seismologists analy)e recorded data to reveal information about bomb blasts and more.

Forensic "erology

Forensic serologists analy)e and test blood! as well as bloodstains and other fluids emitted from the human body. The =ob of a Forensic Serologist $ >ery often! speciali)ed medical university professors double as a forensic serologist in criminal cases.

Forensic #o$icology

1nterpreting the presence and effects of various to'ic chemicals are some of the main tasks that forensic to'icologists perform. Forensic To'icologist ,uties +P,F- $ Apart from simply interpreting chemical results! forensic to'icologists also have to prepare samples! isolate chemicals and run numerous chemical tests.

Forensic %i!eo Analysis

&ith the growth of video cameras and surveillance systems over the last few decades! forensic video analysts contribute to cases by performing conversion services! enlarging or clarifying video feeds and evaluating the reliability of a piece of video.

2reating a 2lear Picture $ Specially trained police members analy)e video evidence and attempt to make it clearer for others to watch and use as evidence.