University Presentation Showcase: Undergraduate Poster Gallery
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Creation Date
Spring 2015
Major
Forensic Science
Department
Chemistry
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Michael Ward
Mentor Department
Chemistry
Abstract
In 2009, the National Academy of Sciences released a report entitled Strengthening Forensic Science: A Path Forward. Since then, the forensic science community has made efforts to address the issues considered in the report. This report has led to an increased pressure on many scientists to create a “perfect science” that could be easily explained and used in a court room. Analysis of the responses of many professionals, both within and outside of the forensic science community, indicates that the report in itself was far too critical of the field as a whole and, as a result, has caused more problems than it is fixing due to the misapplication of the document in court. In order to truly improve the forensic science community, and continue to have it be a crucial aspect of the criminal justice community, it is necessary to critically evaluate the report, and the many responses to it, in order to clear up misconceptions and ensure that the forensic science community, as a whole, does not suffer from the misapplication of this document.
