Advancements In CSI
What were the significant 20th century advances in CSI?
What role have fingerprint databases had in CSI?
For example, the automated fingerprint identification system which is run by the FBI allows a crime scene investigator to go to a crime scene and perhaps find a fingerprint. They can then take that fingerprint back to the police lab and have that fingerprint entered into the computer system of IAFIS. It's then searched against the 50 million or so individuals and perhaps we can identify a suspect through that kind of technology.
What role has the creation of DNA databases played in CSI?
Like fingerprints, we have a database for DNA. That database is called CODIS, which is the combined DNA index system. That database is also run under the auspices of the FBI, so that if DNA is collected at a crime scene, that DNA sample can be entered into the CODIS database and searched against 4 million known criminal offenders.
What role have firearms databases played in CSI?
Another national database is NIBIN. The National Integrated Ballistics Information Network. And that system is run by the US Justice Department, out of the Alcohol, Tobacco Tax and Firearms laboratory. That is used for collecting information on bullets and cartridges that are left behind or used in the commission of crimes. So if a bullet is collected at a crime scene, it will be entered into the NIBIN system and perhaps it could be linked to other committed crimes. This is another bit of investigative information that allows criminal investigators and detectives to solve crimes.
What impact did Frye vs United States have on CSI?
You know, Fry is a very interesting case. Fry was a defendant in a criminal matter and he was being prosecuted by a law enforcement authority, and his attorney wanted to enter into evidence the results of a polygraph or lie detector test that apparently he had passed. The court, however, did not allow it. Ultimately, the case was appealed, and the attenite court ruled that the court was correct in not allowing the test for its admissibility because even to this day, the polygraph has not achieved general acceptability as an appropriate scientific test by the forensic science community. So Fry sets the standard. This allows individuals coming into court and testifying as to any sort of scientific principle or concept that expert think is appropriate because the court will say, "wait...does it meet the Fry standard? Is that concept or principle generally accepted by the forensic science community?" And if the court rules that it's not, then that evidence cannot be entered into the court proceeding.
