The historical development, contributions and limitations of the two traditional approaches to trace
evidence analysis are reviewed. The first approach was as generalist practitioner, looking broadly at an
assemblage of many different particle types. The second was that of specialist practitioner, with attention
focused on one specific particle type. Four factors have significantly impacted the effectiveness of these
approaches: (1) increasing technological capabilities, (2) increasing complexity in the character of
manufactured materials, (3) changes in forensic laboratory management, and (4) changing scientific and
legal expectations. The effectiveness of each approach is assessed within the context of these changes.
More recently, new technologies have been applied to some trace evidence problems, intended to
address one or more limitations. This has led to a third approach founded on discrete, highly technical
methods addressing specific analytical problems. After evaluating the contributions and limitations of
this third approach, we consider the different ways that technologies could be developed to address
unmet needs in forensic trace evidence analysis. The route toward effective use of new technologies is
contrasted with how forensic science laboratories are currently choosing and employing them. The
conclusion is that although new technologies are contributing, we are not on a path that will result in
their most effective and appropriate use. A new approach is required.
Based on an analysis of the contributions of each of the three exisiting approaches, seven
characteristics of an effective trace evidence analysis capability were determined: (1) particle traces
should be a major problem-solving tool, (2) there should be readily available, straightforward methods
to enable their use, (3) all available and potentially useful particle types should be considered, (4)
decisions to use them should be made in the context of each case, guided by what they can contribute to
the case and how efficiently they can do so, (5) analyses should be conducted using appropriate
technologies, (6) findings should be timely and directly integrated with case-specific problems, and (7)
new technologies should be used to improve the overall effectiveness of the capability.
Clearly new technologies have the potential to revolutionize forensic trace evidence, but just as clearly
some of the traditional capabilities have been rendered ineffective, or lost entirely, by the way we have come
to approach the problem. Having critically defined the current limitations of and the desired outcomes, the
next focus should be consideration of alternative approaches that might achieve such a result.
The historical development, contributions and limitations of the two traditional approaches to traceevidence analysis are reviewed. The first approach was as generalist practitioner, looking broadly at anassemblage of many different particle types. The second was that of specialist practitioner, with attentionfocused on one specific particle type. Four factors have significantly impacted the effectiveness of theseapproaches: (1) increasing technological capabilities, (2) increasing complexity in the character ofmanufactured materials, (3) changes in forensic laboratory management, and (4) changing scientific andlegal expectations. The effectiveness of each approach is assessed within the context of these changes.More recently, new technologies have been applied to some trace evidence problems, intended toaddress one or more limitations. This has led to a third approach founded on discrete, highly technicalmethods addressing specific analytical problems. After evaluating the contributions and limitations ofthis third approach, we consider the different ways that technologies could be developed to addressunmet needs in forensic trace evidence analysis. The route toward effective use of new technologies iscontrasted with how forensic science laboratories are currently choosing and employing them. Theconclusion is that although new technologies are contributing, we are not on a path that will result intheir most effective and appropriate use. A new approach is required.Based on an analysis of the contributions of each of the three exisiting approaches, sevencharacteristics of an effective trace evidence analysis capability were determined: (1) particle tracesshould be a major problem-solving tool, (2) there should be readily available, straightforward methodsto enable their use, (3) all available and potentially useful particle types should be considered, (4)decisions to use them should be made in the context of each case, guided by what they can contribute tothe case and how efficiently they can do so, (5) analyses should be conducted using appropriatetechnologies, (6) findings should be timely and directly integrated with case-specific problems, and (7)new technologies should be used to improve the overall effectiveness of the capability.Clearly new technologies have the potential to revolutionize forensic trace evidence, but just as clearlysome of the traditional capabilities have been rendered ineffective, or lost entirely, by the way we have cometo approach the problem. Having critically defined the current limitations of and the desired outcomes, thenext focus should be consideration of alternative approaches that might achieve such a result.
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..