Description may include gathering and preserving evidence related to a criminal act. Situations may include those involving ballistics, terrorist acts, presence of suspect materials (e.g., anthrax), drowning, entomology, plant material used as evidence, accident scenes, forensic nursing (e.g., sexual assault/rape kits), and other cases involving law enforcement officers or medical examiners.
Process/Skill Questions:
- What types of evidence may be collected from a crime scene?
- How does the type of crime determine the evidence gathered?
- What steps are involved in gathering and preserving evidence from a crime scene?
- What evidence suggests a criminal vs. an accidental act?
- What skills are important to have as a team member (whether law enforcement, medical professionals, scientists, government agencies, or media) in criminal forensics?
- How does television's portrayal of forensic science influence society's perception of the field?