A Look into Forensic Ethics

The field of forensic science is essential to the criminal justice system. Forensic personnel are responsible for the collection, preservation, analysis, and interpretation of evidence and so these personnel must pay close attention to detail during these processes. If evidence is mishandled, manipulated, or misinterpreted it can potentially destroy a case and/or the lives of all individuals involved.

As i have learnt in many of my forensic courses, "Every contact leaves a trace" (Locard's Exchange Principle).

 For that reason it is vital that forensic personnel are not only properly trained and educated, but they must also be of good moral and ethical character. Many cases have been tainted due to unethical behavior; more must be done in order to prevent unethical behavior from taking place in the field of forensic science. (Refuge, 2011)

The identification, collection, and preservation of any piece of forensic evidence will ultimately involve numerous individuals. At any step within the process, evidence can be deliberately or accidentally mishandled hence it is important to maintain proper chain of custody.

This risk begins at the scene of the crime, where there is the possibility of evidence planting, destruction, or mishandling. After the scene has been processed, evidence is then sent to a forensic laboratory for analysis. Here, it can be subjected to contamination through poor testing methods, excess consumption, mislabeling, and even loss or destruction. After the analysis has been performed, those analyzing the evidence must then report on their findings accurately and honestly.

In the courtroom forensic personnel are often called upon to provide expert witness testimony in regards to their specialty (Van & Saks 1983). In some cases the expert testimony given by forensic personnel have a lot of weight in regards to the outcome of the case (Van & Saks 1983). For that reason it is vital that the expert witness (forensic scientist) be 100% qualified and be of good ethical and moral character (Hart, 2004). And as such, they have an obligation not to mislead the jury, defense, or the state when testifying before the court, or when preparing their reports relating to their analyses of forensic evidence.

While there exists no single ethical code that applies to all disciplines of forensic science, the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) Code of Ethics requires each certified member ensure that any opinions rendered with regard to their analyses are done so “only to the extent justified” by the evidence in question, and to also ensure that the testimony given is presented “in a clear, straightforward manner” that in no way misrepresents or extends “themselves beyond their field of competence.” Testimony should be given “in such a manner so that the results are not misinterpreted.” (ABC, 2010)

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