Special Fields Of CSI

What is forensic 'pathology'?

Forensic pathology - we all know the word autopsy. The forensic pathologist is responsible for conducting an examination, or an autopsy, of the descendant. It's the function of the forensic pathologist to make a determination as to the cause of death, as to the time of death, and to extract any other pertinent information from the body that will help the investigators come to a determination as to who the ultimate perpetrator of the crime was. The forensic pathologist is a very important player in the crime scene investigation, and he's a very skilled player. He must have a medical background, and be a practitioner of medicine. The major function of the forensic pathologist is to conduct the autopsy.

What is forensic 'anthropology'?

Anthropology is the study of bones, and unfortunately, at some scenes of crimes, police investigators will not find the victim until many, many weeks, or many months, or even many years have lapsed between the time of death and the location of the body. And it is the presence of these bones, and the environment in which the bones are found, that the forensic pathologist will bring his or her skills to the fore. The forensic anthropologist must make a determination as to whether we're dealing with a male or a female. The forensic anthropologist will make a determination as to the race and the age of the bones. So that is the major skills that the forensic anthropologist brings to the crime scene.

What is forensic psychiatry?

A forensic psychiatrist is a skilled individual who's trained in the medicine of the human mind. And that individual will be involved in examining an individual who is thought to have committed a crime, as to the competency level of that person and how that person's competency measures up, with respect to his or her ability to stand trial. The forensic psychiatrist must have the skill to diagnose different mental disorders, in order to determine the sanity or insanity of an individual who is faced with a criminal proceeding.

What is forensic 'entomology'?

Forensic 'entomology' relates to the study of insects at crime scenes. Insects infest deceased bodies. The forensic entomologist brings his or her skills to bear by studying the presence of those insects and making the determination as to the time of death by looking at the life cycle of various insects, by studying the sequence of arrival of various insects, the post-mortem interval or the time between the finding of the insect. The time of death can be ascertained by the forensic entomologist.

What is forensic 'odontology'?

Forensic Odontology is the study of teeth and forensic odontologists bring their skills to bear generally two areas. First in the case of a disaster where the identity of individuals have to be determined. The forensic odontologist will use his or her skills to examine the teeth and the x-rays taken of the teeth, in order to ascertain the identification of the human body. In a criminal investigation of an assault for example, the odontologist might be brought in to do bite mark impressions that are left on the skin of a participant in a crime. And the forensic odontologist will make for example, teeth mark comparisons between the impression left on the body and a suspect's teeth or set of teeth.

What is forensic engineering?

Forensic engineers bring the skills to bear during the examination of accidents. If a structure fails, for example. If a bridge collapses or a building collapses, the forensic engineer will be brought in to try to make a determination as to why that structure did not live up to its specifications. What caused that structure to fail? Perhaps one of the most interesting examinations conducted by forensic engineers was the collapse of the World Trade Center and the extensive examination of the buildings that were undertaken to determine why they didn't live up to their specifications in terms of their ability to withstand the hideous attack that occurred on September 11th.