Conceptualising forensic science and forensic reconstruction. Part I: A conceptual model

R.M Morgan

doi:10.1016/j.scijus.2017.06.002

Abstract

There has been a call for forensic science to actively return to the approach of scientific endeavour. The importance of incorporating an awareness of the requirements of the law in its broadest sense, and embedding research into both practice and policy within forensic science, is arguably critical to achieving such an endeavour. This paper presents a conceptual model (FoRTE) that outlines the holistic nature of trace evidence in the ‘endeavour’ of forensic reconstruction. This model offers insights into the different components intrinsic to transparent, reproducible and robust reconstructions in forensic science. The importance of situating evidence within the whole forensic science process (from crime scene to court), of developing evidence bases to underpin each stage, of frameworks that offer insights to the interaction of different lines of evidence, and the role of expertise in decision making are presented and their interactions identified. It is argued that such a conceptual model has value in identifying the future steps for harnessing the value of trace evidence in forensic reconstruction. It also highlights that there is a need to develop a nuanced approach to reconstructions that incorporates both empirical evidence bases and expertise. A conceptual understanding has the potential to ensure that the endeavour of forensic reconstruction has its roots in ‘problem-solving’ science, and can offer transparency and clarity in the conclusions and inferences drawn from trace evidence, thereby enabling the value of trace evidence to be realised in investigations and the courts.

Highlights

Forensic science offers an interdisciplinary approach that provides insights that can be applied to questions of law
In the light of these issues, the current situation of forensic science has been the subject of discussion, and at the heart of these debates is the fundamental issue of the identity of the discipline, and the aim, scope and capabilities of forensic science
The FoRTE model seeks to present the holistic system within which trace evidence is situated, that is needed for robust forensic reconstruction (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

Forensic science offers an interdisciplinary approach that provides insights that can be applied to questions of law. Transparent and appropriate problem solving approaches to the whole forensic science process (crime scene to court), rather than focussing almost exclusively on the technical analysis and classification of exhibits, it is possible to regain the potential that lies in ‘forensic science’ Such an argument is not new [4,6,7,8] but engagement with how we can regain ‘forensic science’ from the, more recently, dominant ‘forensics’ approach is imperative for setting the future course of the forensic science discipline. If we are to ‘define what it can deliver and with what limitations’ [8:102] and focus resources productively and effectively to enable that delivery, we must articulate conceptually what forensic science needs to achieve Such a conceptual understanding will enable the identification and development of the approaches that bring together these different domains effectively in order to deliver robust, transparent, accurate, problem solving forensic science. The goal of forensic reconstruction: a new conceptual model for trace evidence

Problem solving and the interpretation of trace evidence

The forensic science process

Evidence bases

The interaction of different forms of trace evidence

The interaction of expertise