05,June 2024
One of the most crucial investigation tools in solving crime mysteries and providing relevant evidence thus helping in delivering justice is Forensic Science. The field of forensics has made much technological advancement along with inspiring scientific discoveries thus making the field evolving rapidly. However, we can’t say that the advancements of this field are restricted to where they stand today because the future of forensics is unimaginably brilliant. Here in this blog, we have given the key developments of forensic science that we can expect in coming years.
1. Technological Advancements in DNA Analysis:
We know DNA finds an irreplaceable place in the science and technology field, and has shown many advancements as well thus leading to a simpler and reliable source of examination. DNA analysis process has completely revolutionized the field of forensics by enabling the crime examiners to identify and trace the potential suspects by linking them with the crime scene. The findings done by the examiners offer utmost accuracy hence proves to be one of the most reliable tools of investigation.
But in near future, through further advancements in the DNA analysis methodologies the investigation process time can be reduced along with enhancement in the sensitivity by enabling the examiners to analyze trace particles of DNA as well.
Some of the important emerging technologies in the field of DNA analysis like rapid analysis and next generation sequencing are promising advancements that will be able to streamline the workflows thus expanding the scope of DNA analysis.
2. Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
Who is not aware of machine learning and artificial intelligence and the role they play in modern era. Let us tell you artificial intelligence is integrated with forensic science methods to offer new opportunities to the examiners to analyze evidence and the crime scene in an efficient manner. Through AI the analysts are responsible for identifying the patterns of crime that can’t be easily figured out by humans. Algorithms that are generated using artificial intelligence assist in fingerprint examination, facial recognition and reconstruction, handwriting examination, etc.
With time as this collaboration of AI with forensics grow, it will shift the burden of examination and analysis on machines thus increasing the efficiency and accuracy. Through this advancement, the cases will be solved faster with higher accuracy. However, this will also raise a question on ethical use of AI in forensics thus needs to be addresses by the experts to make this field authentic and trustable.
3. Digital Forensics Investigation:
We all are aware of the fact that cybercrimes are the result of advancements in the field of digital technology. With increase in number of users of digital world, the threat of cybercrimes has also increased and thus this concern needs to be addressed by the law enforcement agencies. Digital forensics plays an important and integral part of investigation of cases including cybercrime, digital evidence collection, crime scene reconstruction, etc. The tools and techniques of digital forensics will continue evolve in the future and will pace up with increasing cyber threats. The field will help in enhancing the capabilities of examination of encrypted data, recovering information from devices, along with identifying the cyber criminals.
4. Forensic Imaging and Visualization:
Along with all the advancements in the forensics field, another important advancement can be traced in imaging and visualization techniques. The advancement in imaging technologies enhance the ability of forensic experts to recreate the crime scene, visualize the evidence in 3d format, along with creating the precise models to present in courtroom as authentic evidence. Some of the visualization techniques that help in crime investigation include photogrammetry, laser scanning, aerial photography, drone shots, etc help in enhancing the details traced in examination of scene.
With further advancements in this field, some of the technological advancements in forensic science can be crime analysis through real time augmented reality, forensic education and training through virtual reality simulation will turn to be important factors of crime investigation.
Future Perspectives of Forensic Science:
As we have mentioned above the future aspects of advancements in the field of forensic science are unimaginable. Though we have given an overview of what we can expect in future, here we have briefly presented them below to give you a better clarity. Some of the targets that can be achieved through this can field in future are as given below:
- It will provide scientific aid to the crime investigation,
- It will help in lifting, packing and examining the case as per the SOPs,
- It will help in increasing the quality of photographic and video graphic recording of evidence at the crime scene of crime and thus increase the quality of evidence comparison with pre-existing database with law enforcement agencies,
- It will minimize the delays in examination and will provide high quality reports of the examination,
- It will help in assisting the courts in inquiry without loss of time,
- It will help in generating database consisting of fingerprint records, footprint records, DNA samples, tyre prints, biometrics, etc. along with other evidence collected to use them in future when required further,
- It will increase the efficiency in crime scene reconstruction.
How Forensic Science Will Look Like In The Future?
New discoveries in forensic science will lead to evolutionary changes that will reshape the field of forensics. Though we can’t predict the innovations that can be made in future but we can expect that these innovations will create new possibilities for forensic experts. One of the most critical and challenging aspects of forensics is its complex nature as it involves multiple stakeholders. The field of forensic science works on the principle of “every case is unique” and thus it creates a tension between research seekers and professionals who are practicing crime investigation. The field of forensic science is driven by issues and scandals in the field of justice system.
In coming few years, this field will be able to unfold the mysteries of even such cases that were held thousands of years ago. It can be done through digging out the crime scene and taking out the physical evidence from it and then examining it through various forensic processes. Some of the most important methods that can be used for doing so are DNA examination, fingerprint analysis, etc.
Scope of Forensic Science:
Candidates who pursue their education in the field of forensic science have the option of working in both government and private sector industry. This field offers endless opportunities to forensic experts and gets to work in reputed organizations at good position. Some of the opportunities that can be opted by such experts are given below:
- Police,
- Defense Sector,
- Crime Branch,
- Narcotics Department,
- Investigation Bureau,
- Drug Analyst,
- Forensic Toxicologist,
- Detective,
- State and Central laboratories,
- Forensic Serologist,
- Private Investigator,
- Crime Laboratory Analyst,
- Educational Institutions,
- Forensic Consultant, etc.
And the above mentioned options are not the last opportunities that can be availed by you instead the candidates who wish to settle abroad can apply for job opportunities overseas as well. Or can apply overseas too.
Forensic Science Recruiters:
The demand for forensic experts will grow even further in near future. Top companies across the country look for specialists who can work with them to make them strong enough fundamentally to compete with other companies in the market. Here we have given some of the recruiters in the table below :
| Serial No. | Profile Name | Recruiters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Forensic Expert | Police Department, Crime Branches, Detective Agencies, Security Services Agencies. |
| 2. | Forensic Scientist | Police Department, Crime Branches, IB, Courts, Detective Agencies. |
| 3. | Forensic Investigator | Police Department, Crime Branches, Detective Agencies. |
| 4. | Crime Scene Investigator | Police Department, Crime Branches, Detective Agencies, Law Firms. |
| 5. | Handwriting Expert | Police Department, Crime Branches, Banks, Detective Agencies, Insurance Companies. |
| 6. | Document Examiner | Police Department, Crime Branches, Banks, Detective Agencies, Insurance Companies. |
| 7. | Forensic Analyst | Forensic Science Laboratories, IB, Detective Agencies. |
| 8. | Security Expert | Defense/Army, IB, Banks, Security Services Agencies. |
| 9. | Forensic Law Consultant | Organizations, Courts, Law Firms. |
| 10. | Detective | Police Department, Crime Branches, IB, Detective Agencies. |
| 11. | Professor | Private and Government Universities. |
| 12. | Forensic Psychologist | Hospitals, Courts. |
| 13. | Forensic Pathologists | Forensic Science Laboratories, Hospitals. |
| 14. | Fingerprint Expert | Crime Branches, Forensic Science Laboratories, Hospitals, Detective Agencies, Banks, Insurance Companies. |
| 15. | Genetics Experts | Forensic Science Laboratories, Hospitals, Detective Agencies. |
| 16. | Environment Analyst | Organizations, Detective Agencies. |
| 17. | Crime Laboratory Analyst | Forensic Science Laboratories, IB, Detective Agencies. |
| 18. | Forensic Psychiatrist | Organizations, Universities, Hospitals. |
| 19. | Forensic Serologist | Forensic Science Laboratories, Narcotics Dept., Hospitals, Detective Agencies. |
| 20. | Toxicologist | Forensic Science Laboratories, Narcotics Dept., Hospitals, Detective Agencies. |
| 21. | Forensic Computer Expert | Defense/Army, Organizations, Detective Agencies. |
| 22. | Forensic Accountant | Banks, IB, Detective Agencies, Insurance Companies. |
| 23. | Forensic Ballistic Expert | Defense/Army, IB, Security Services Agencies. |
| 24. | Blood Splatter Analyst | Forensic Science Laboratories, Detective Agencies. |
The future of forensic science is promising field that will provide scientific breakthroughs driven by technological advancements in this field. This field will undergo huge transformations in future by making advancements in Artificial intelligence, DNA analysis, and digital forensics. With the field of forensics evolving the role played by this field in criminal justice system will also increase. It will help in solving even such cases that are difficult to even understand and thus will deliver justice to the victim. However, it is the responsibility of forensic scientists to maintain the ethical aspect of forensics to avoid societal implications.
References:
- https://blog.bccresearch .com/technology-trends-shaping -the-future-of-forensics-industry #:~:text=Automation%20in%20 forensics%3A%20Enhancing%20 efficiency,work%20more%20 efficiently%20and%20accurately.
- https://www.forensics colleges.com/blog/resources /10-modern-forensic-science- technologies
- https://www.eccu.edu/ cyber-talks/recent-cybertalks /trends-technologies-in- digital-forensics/
- https://www.openaccess government.org/advances-in -forensic-science-criminal- investigations/134276/