SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS

FORENSIC REPORTS

Writing Investigative Reports

Over the last few decades scientific investigative techniques to find evidence have grown rapidly. This development has made investigative reports such as forensic reports quite important.  Forensic reports conduct scientific analyses to locate evidence for both the police and the law which include blood analysis, hair, skin, DNA, finger printing, ballistic information, computer hard disks and brain mapping. The word forensic comes from the Latin root implying a form or public space. It is a new branch of scientific investigation using latest advances in science. It is good to remember Sherlock Holmes’ deductive logic when thinking about this investigative technique. Highly skilled forensic experts are expected to prepare logical and clear reports that are used both for deductive reasoning and submitting evidence in court proceedings.

Forensic labs are quite useful in providing analyses of samples. These lab reports are meticulously prepared detailing procedure, analysis observations and documentation. Such reports are expected to eschew assumptions and unscientific interpretations. Scientific facts alone matter! However they occasionally go wrong and reach unscientific conclusions which often result in wrong indictment.

A forensic report is invariably organized along three indices: firstly, evidence method; secondly observation or interpretation and thirdly, observation, results or conclusion. The first process describes the evidence or artifacts collected from the accident site. The second details the procedure followed to test evidence. Here graphs, photographs, charts, diagrams and sketches are used. Finally observation involves analyses of scientific data like DNA or blood type. The conclusion when introduced in court also shows if the evidence presented is conclusive or inconclusive.  It also includes the credentials of the expert, such as name, title, qualifications, years of experience and professional standing in the area. Both the prosecuting and defense attorneys take note of this while arguing the case. Specimens collected from the site are often referred to as exhibits to further provide strength to a specific argument or line of thinking.