I explored the web page of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and was immediately intrigued by their first sentence which described their organization as a, “multidisciplinary professional organization that promised leadership to advance science and its application to the legal system.” As someone who has always thought about pursuing career in law, I find it extremely interesting that an organization so primarily rooted in data and science has identified their main purpose as the legal system. I noticed even more recognition of the legal system from their listed “sections” of interest, which I interpret to mean the sub-fields of study that their organization acknowledges and supports. Within these sections are a few sections very obviously focused on or important to the legal process, such as Criminalistics, Jurisprudence, Toxicology, and Questioned Documents. What I found most interesting was the sheer amount of volume that such a seemingly narrow field of study (forensic sciences) has in sub-fields. Each subfield provides a crucial form of science and human study that provides completely different but equally helpful versions of support for the legal system. For example, a Documents forensic expert would offer much different expertise in a court testimony than a Toxicologist. However, both are equally important and crucial to their overall success of a case.
I think what is also particularly interesting about forensic sciences is that, for the first time, I have begun to understand what forensics really means and the different forms it can take. In the past when I heard the word “forensics” I thought back to shows like NCIS or Hawaii Five-O where a “forensics lab” would be mentioned or shown. These depictions are entirely deceiving and only paint a stereotypical view of what forensic scientists do. It is more than lab work with microscopes and lab coats. It is a comprehensive approach that each scientist may go about differently. It also provides crucial to our legal system as it aids in the extraction and ex-planation of evidence. I guess I should have figured that out after so many “crime” shows would utilize forensic labs or even have main characters and forensic specialists, but seeing the full range of what forensic anthropology does was a new understanding.
On a broader scale, I view forensic anthropology as rightfully belonging in the “physical anthropology” category as it explores physical manifestations of human behavior and being. This proves to be crucial as in-depth analysis of evidence necessary to the proper function of society. Without forensic scientists to answer questions about certain cases or pieces of evidence, and assist our legal system to ensure fair trial and legal processes, our society would slowly fade, allowing the other forms of anthropology to fade as well. I also believe that the research techniques created and perfected within the forensic field are something many other anthropological fields rely on to conduct their own research. So the proper continuation of forensic scientists and what they offer not only anthropology, but our entire legal system is astounding.
When I read about the National Human Genome Research Institute I was surprised, like you, that within a “narrow” subfield (molecular anthropology) there were many more subfields that I had not considered related to the field of study and were equally important. None of the subfields could operate successfully in isolation of one another. I wonder how forensic and molecular anthropology work together. Prior to reading your blog, I was not aware that toxicology, questioned documents, and criminalistics were part of forensic anthropology. I knew that they were related to forensics but your explanation helped me better understand their contribution to the broader scope of anthropology. Forensic anthropology is definitely an important field and might be one of the most relied on subfields of physical anthropology.
I found it very interesting how you discuss the complexities of forensics and how it is way more than what you typically may think about. I too thought the NCIS portrayal of the forensics lab was how it really was, but your description is very enlightening and actually makes a lot of sense. I also think it is fascinating that forensic anthropology is essential to the legal system of many countries, as this shows just how valuable and diverse the field of anthropology is. I never knew that anthropology affected so many different parts of everyday life, and it has really changes what I think of when I hear the word “anthropology.” Lastly, I wonder how often two sections of forensic anthropology work together to use different pieces of evidence to prove a certain point in a court case.
-Jacob Gleason