Criminalistics is the professional and scientific discipline directed to the
recognition, identification, individualization, and evaluation of physical evidence by
application of the natural sciences in matters of law and science. Criminalistics includes
the identification of physical evidence and findings as to its origin. Criminalistics is one
of many divisions in the field of forensic science.
The crime laboratory in which physical evidence obtained by the police in the
course of an investigation is examined in may be known as a forensic science laboratory.
Laboratory technicians are often knows as forensic scientists. The professional group in
this field, however still identify with the term Criminalistics. Many times the public will
overlook the efforts of these crime scientists. Many people do not know the difference
between a criminologist and a criminalist. The difference is as night and day. The
criminologist studies the sociology of crime. They examine the criminal behavior, crime
statistics, and the causes and roots of crime.
Where as, the criminalist is a scientist who is
often someone with a doctorate in biology or chemistry (or both) who analyzes the
evidence collected at a crime scene. Criminalists help to identify victims and rule out
potential suspects. In most cases, it is the forensic evidence that can make or break a case.
Since there are rarely any other witnesses at a crime scene other than the victim and the
suspect criminalists help to recreate the scene. Criminalists are specialists who help to
bring us one step closer to solving unsolved crimes. Criminalists recognize, document,
collect, analyze, interpret, and testify to the significance of physical and biological
evidence. Their work involves the understanding and application of a wide variety of
scientific disciplines. Their recognition and proper interpretation of pattern evidence is an
important component of the work performed by chemists in...