Law Homework Help

Please reply to my classmates in 100-150 words using your own opinion and research. The question was as followed:

What advances in forensic science do you believe have contributed most to the criminal justice system’s effectiveness? In identifying that technology, explain how you believe it may be effectively used to improve investigations and solve crimes.

1st reply:

With the growing number of violent crimes committed with the use of a firearm in the United States, I believe the development of ballistics tracing should be considered among the top forensic science developments in the country. Although the first documented case of ballistics being evaluated and used for criminal investigation dates was in 1835 when a bullet recovered from a victim was linked to the bullet maker by identifying a defect in the bullet (Incognito Forensic Foundation, n.d.). The creation of magnification and continued advancement in identifying details in ballistics continued to advance the use of ballistic tracing.

The continued use of ballistics will be in high demand in future criminal investigations. With an estimate of nearly 400 million firearms in the United States and an estimated 100 lives lost daily to gun violence (Sanchez. et al., 2020), there will be a continued need for further advancement in ballistic criminologists in the United States to Identify the manufacturers, owners, and the shooters in criminal gun violence cases. Further gun control methods will help identify the gun owners and prevent gun violence as well. Gun control methods that including identification numbers and markings on all firearms and ballistics, as well as biometric controls on firearms.

2nd reply:

The advances in forensic science that I believe have contributed most to the criminal justice system’s effectiveness is the development and progression of DNA. The analyzing of DNA has helped the criminal justice system in that it has assisted in the linking of criminals/suspects to crimes that they otherwise would not be linked or associated to. According to Mapes et al. (2015), it was difficult or virtually impossible to have a solid lead or even solve crimes that were committed in the 80’s or thereafter, as the forensic analysis of DNA was not available to law enforcement until the mid-80’s.

DNA technology provides evidence that could render a verdict of a suspect’s guilt or innocence in a criminal court case. The forensics of DNA also could improve investigations and the solving of crimes. As the field of criminal justice progresses, forensic science continues to expand and advance as new technology becomes available. The forensics of DNA can have remarkable results that can eliminate a high percentage of potential suspects and can virtually narrow down the perpetrator if handled, processed, and stored appropriately (Mapes et al., 2015, para.).