Forensic Science, aka Medical Jurisprudence and commonly called
forensics, has a broad range of uses. Events in the world today dictate that
forensic teams monitor certain countries for compliance with international
agreements such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Chemical Weapons
Convention, and to learn if a country is developing secret nuclear weapons.
The most common use of forensic science is to investigate criminal
cases involving a victim: crimes ranging from assault and robbery, to
kidnapping, rape, or murder. If you watch CSI or BONES, you are familiar with
the various departments within a forensics lab, including pathology,
toxicology, and odontology - the study of
teeth.
My favorite “ologist” is the forensic anthropologist, who is trained to
determine height, weight, sex, and ethnic group of a deceased person - from
body parts. The anthropologist can read marks on bones that indicate past
injuries and diseases suffered by the individual. Investigators can identify a
body by comparing the forensic anthropologist’s findings to old X-rays and
medical history of a missing person.
It is fascinating to watch as the forensic expert takes a skull, adds
markers to specific surfaces, and slowly builds a complete and identifiable
face.
What’s your favorite "ology?
