安文凯特 -课程领导及首席讲师
法医学和应用生物学学士学位 而且 Forensic Biologist talks us through the 'CSI effect' occurring in court rooms.
People are so engaged with CSI type dramas 而且 crime documentaries currently that it is actually having an effect in real court rooms… this is known as the CSI effect.
陪审团对法医的要求越来越高. I think this has some positives (like giving the Jury a desire for evidence to assist with their decision making)……. But as they have been largely informed by a dramatised version of the Forensic world, 在某些情况下，他们期待着挂在棍子上的月亮. Whilst Forensic Science is the centre of my world (而且 that of many others) it is not always necessary in each 而且 every case.
关于刑事调查存在着广泛的误解, 例如, in my 20 years as a Forensic Biologist I have lost count of the times I have been asked about conducting autopsies. Yes; I have been to 而且 assisted at autopsies but nope, 那个人实际上是法医病理学家. That is just one of many misunderst而且ings which is exacerbated by such TV shows, 我不穿古驰的高跟鞋, 有枪, 采访嫌疑人或者去低水平的犯罪现场. Those are all other, different 而且 vital links in the chain (apart from the heels!) which would potentially push the budget 而且 story line of a crime drama. As a Forensic Biologist I have however been to serious crime scenes such as sexual 而且 violent assaults, 可疑的死亡和谋杀. I have given evidence in courts (including the Old Bailey as my maiden appearance) as an expert witness. In the main the role of a Forensic Scientist is more of a laboratory based 而且 interpretational affair where we can examine items from swabs to shoes, 用刀割内裤, 从汽车到地毯, 从骨头到子弹. Training the next generation of Forensic Scientists in these skills 而且 in their soon to be role within the whole process is really important to me. We explore all the REAL roles within the chain allowing them to really open their eyes to each 而且 every one 而且 pick their path with inside knowledge.
Timings are another poor comparison to the TV shows; I would love one of the magic black boxes they have were a sample goes in one end 而且 instantaneously comes out with a match at the other end! Partly because Forensic Science relies on Science not magic there are more stages 而且 longer time intervals at pretty much every stage of every test that makes it onto a show. But also in the real world Scientists are not fortunate enough to drop everything 而且 work on one single case at a time (usually around the clock at the detriment of their family life to add more flavour to the story!). Having a great actual underst而且ing of what is actually going on in these processes can be a real eye opener 而且 our students get h而且s on behind the scenes experience of these processes, 证据检验和分析测试.
To be a Forensic Expert the background knowledge is key 例如 my background prior to movement into Forensic work was in human biology in particular genetics. So with the students 而且 experts I train 而且 work with the background 而且 underpinning can not be underestimated 而且 puts our graduates head 而且 shoulders above others as they have key employability skills within mainstream biology 而且 also everything they need to pursue a career in the Forensic arena.
The technical difficulty of some cases is sometimes also over dramatised. 例如, one of the easiest cases I have ever worked of was a high visibility jacket which was left at the scene of a crime 而且 submitted to me at the laboratory to see if I could obtain a DNA profile from it to determine who could have worn it. 通常冰球突破会找血迹, 头发, 经常与皮肤接触的纤维和棉签部位, such as the collar 而且 conduct DNA profiling on that area in an attempt to obtain a DNA profile from the wearer. 结果比我一开始想的更快更简单, 背心上有一个名字标签，因为它是工作物品。. I called the Investigating officer in record time (just like CSI Miami) 而且 gave them a name… which lead to an arrest … 而且 subsequently a conviction. Basic observational skills should never be underestimated 而且 we put our students attention to detail to the test on the Forensic 而且 Applied Biology Course when they work on cases in the laboratory 而且 in our bespoke Forensic Science Crime Scene house.
安文凯特 has been a Forensic Biologist since February 2002 而且 is the Course lead 而且 Principal Lecturer in 法医学和应用生物学学士学位. 凯特一直和警方一起工作, 皇家检控处, 防务科学家, CSI (Crime Scene Investigators) 而且 a wide range of specialists 而且 world leaders in the field of Forensic Science. Kate is currently involved in training 而且 awareness sessions for three local police forces.
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