The forensic´s scientist craft: toward an integrative theory. Part 2: meso- and macroapproach

Abstract

ABSTRACT Several authors have suggested theoretical approaches that support the practices of forensic scientists, including adherence to the evidential paradigm and the centrality of the concept of trace, both included in the Sydney Declaration. The objective of this paper was to continue the construction of an integrated theoretical model, which incorporates the epistemological, methodological and practical dimensions of the forensic scientist’s work. Therefore, these new discussions found in the literature will be incorporated, as well as some established traditional concepts. A synthesis theory was elaborated from basic concepts and practices related to the following procedures performed by forensic scientists: a) use of laws derived from other sciences to assert causes associated with state changes observed in a trace; b) use of inferences and experimentation for the reconstruction of the criminal event and detection of trace arrangement patterns in criminal scenarios. The formulation of a coherent, hierarchical and systematic framework provides subsidies for facing some challenges in forensic science, such as: evaluating the role of cognitive bias in certain phases of the forensic scientist’s work; the determination of a coherent curriculum that aggregates the essential competences for forensic analysis and the improvement of the predictive potential of forensic science in intelligence studies.