Running head: SCIENTIFIC METHOD APPLIED

Scientific Method Applied to Forensic Science Kathy Wingfield CJA/590 February 6, 2012 Stacy Hernandez

SCIENTIFIC METHOD APPLIED

Scientific Method Applied to Forensic Science Scientific method is the way to investigate why or how something works. It is also used to investigate how something happened. This is done by developing a hypothesis, then testing and other acceptable means to prove or disprove falsification. The process is structured and designed to be able to answer specific questions about observations through critical thinking and careful analysis. Scientific methods are the approach to problem solving and knowledge building (Turvey, p. 47, 2008). Scientific methods run a course that helps to maintain efficacy and authenticity of the data received from an inquiry. Scientific method is rigid so that claims cannot be made against any scientific facts without the claim being substantiated. Convicting the wrong person because of invalid or incorrect research is not an option. Peoples lives are at stake and this is why methods of a scientific research are adhered to very strictly. There are four steps in the scientific method to evaluate circumstances. Scientific method steps The four steps to the scientific method are: Observation, hypothesis, predict and testing the predictions with experiments to validate the outcome. Some believe that there is a fifth step which is just a repeat of steps three and four. This fifth step may be used to test the hypothesis and to prove the consistency between the outcome and the hypothesis (Wudka, 1998). The first step, observation, is done regarding an object, an event or facts. The observation then leads to specific questions regarding the object, the event or the fact. Some of the questions may be when or where did the object originated or how the object came to possess the traits it has (Turvey, p. 47, 2008). Other questions may be how did the event happen and what led up to it. The facts of the observation will answer questions about the events or objects.

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The second step, hypothesis, is the scientific method that attempts to answer the questions that have been formed. This could be an educated estimate regarding the answer. More often than not there is more than one answer. The hypothesis must be developed and then investigated (Turvey, p. 47, 2008). The third step, predict, uses the hypothesis. The use of this hypothesis is to predict existence of other phenomena (TDKTudor, 2010, p. 1). It also is used to predict quantitatively the results of any new observations (TDKTudor, 2010, p. 1). This step is used to test the hypothesis. This allows for analyzing the results of observations, predictions, and observation of the existence of any new phenomena that may follow the hypothesis made (Zamora, 2012). The fourth step, experimentation, is the step that separates a scientific inquiry from the others. Scientific analysts design experiments to disprove hypotheses not to prove them. There are two words that are worlds apart and they are support and confirm. Support suggests assistance and confirm suggests finality (Turvey, p. 47, 2008). If the experimentation does not confirm the hypothesis made then the hypothesis will be rejected or modified. To help build and prove the consistency between the outcome and the hypothesis the idea of a step five to repeat steps three and four is a good idea. This could be used to explain the phenomenon in question (Wudka, 1998). The problem must be stated which will clarify the focus of the hypothesis to be tested. The scientific method can be used in proving or disproving the guilt or innocence of a suspect. It can also be used to determine the identity of a victim or the cause of death. Scientific method incorporated into the criminal investigation process Scientific method can be slow and tedious but it is effective. Using step one in a criminal investigation starts with gathering data by research. This includes researching the crime scene,

SCIENTIFIC METHOD APPLIED

the victim and the method of the crime. There are questions that need to be asked: What techniques were used to perpetrate the crime? Was a weapon used? Were other tools involved? How were they used--with precision and care or with extreme sloppiness? Who had access to the crime scene? Who had motivation to conduct the crime? Did the victim have any enemies? Was there someone close to him in a position to perpetrate the crime? (Vaux, 2012, para. 1). As the answers to these questions are formed there will be some plausible explanation to the crime. Using step two in a criminal investigation develops a hypothesis about who may have committed the crime and how. A list of suspects is worked up after a picture is formed about the events of the crime. This list of suspects is developed based on a possible motive of the crime. A hypothesis is based on facts gathered but it may not hold up after true details are applied to the crime (Vaux, 2012). Using step three on testing and predicting the hypothesis is done with the evidence gathered to see if it fits the facts (Vaux, 2012, para. 3). If the crime is a historic one or an old case testing may not be possible. For recent crimes this step may require the questioning of suspects to check their alibis, compare forensic analysis to determine a whether a specific plan could have worked, and searching for suspects to the crime (Vaux, 2012). The going hypothesis rarely stands up intact to this process, but as possibilities are eliminated, new hypotheses arise that can be confirmed by continuing to check the facts (Vaux, 2012, para. 3). Using step 4 will help to zero in on the suspect. This requires repeated experimentation. With the experimentation the list of possible suspects one by one will be eliminated. If step three is successful then there should be only one or two suspects that the evidence links to the crime.

SCIENTIFIC METHOD APPLIED

With a historic case this may be more difficult because of the fact that absolute proof does not exist. With repeated examination and experimentation using the evidence there will eventually a single conclusion (Vaux, 2012). Research methods There are a host of available research methods (Brent & Kraska, 2010, para. 1) with in the criminal justice/criminology areas. These methods usually are along the qualitative and quantitative methods. Within the justice phenomena it means that one approach or the other must be chosen. Both of these paradigms are credible in their own right and when they are used in certain circumstances. (Brent & Kraska, 2010). The discovery of new or previous findings is research. It is known as scientific research if it follows certain methodologies that others might use to come up with similar results. There are two types of methodologies within the criminal justice system that provide the logic of science and that are quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative methods appear to be used more that the qualitative methods (Higgins, 2009). Quantitative methods are rooted in the scientific method. These methods allow criminologists to be objective, systematic and formal. This allows the criminologist to remain distant and to be objective in the research of the phenomena. Values can be removed from the research because the criminologists argue not the values of the research but the facts. If the quantitative methods are used reports are written in a very specific way. The reports are impersonal and with a very formal tone. The reports emphasize differences, connections and comparisons within the crime scene. Quantitative methods allow the use of surveys, quasiexperiments and experiments to produce hard data and real answers (Higgins, 2009). Conclusion

SCIENTIFIC METHOD APPLIED

Peoples lives depend on how the law and science work together. Cases may go cold because of the lack of evidence but considering the alternative which is convicting someone without tangible evidence, it is for the best. The four steps of the scientific method are important to the criminal investigation using science to help solve a crime. These four steps may take consume time but when an investigation is finished the evidence is true. Research methodology has changed over time. It has gone from dealing with assumptions to dealing with hard cold facts. Using the quantitative methods is the assurance of this. The quantitative methods allow the investigators and researchers to keep their distance from the crime and the people involved. When the evidence is presented by an expert witness the judge and the jury know that there is no bias in their testimony. They are informal and deal only with the facts not what ifs. This is not an easy task because the research protocol is a broad subject area. The research differs to the results will be different. But the quantitative methods should be used regardless of the subject area. If a crime is solved using the four steps of the scientific method and the quantitative methods than the evidence will be true. Using this evidence in a trial will guarantee the conviction of the suspect. The defense will be hard pressed to shake the witness when they are informal and non-biased. Science and criminal justice can work together given the right tools and techniques.

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References Brent, J. J., & Kraska, P. B. (2010). Moving Beyond our Methodological Default: A Case for Mixed Methods. Journal Of Criminal Justice Education, 21(4), 412-430. doi:10.1080/10511253.2010.516562 Higgins, G. E. (2009). Quantitative versus Qualitative Methods: Understanding Why Quantitative Methods are Predominant in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Journal Of Theoretical & Philosophical Criminology, 1(1), 23-37 TDKTudor. (2010). Scientific Method. Retrieved from http://tkdtutor.com/TOPICS/MartialArts/Martial-Arts/Scientific-Method/Scientific-Method-01.html Turvey, B. E. (2008). Criminal profiling: An introduction to behavioral evidence analysis (3rd ed.). Retrieved from University of Phoenix eBook Collection database. Vaux, R. (2012). How to use the scientific method to research crime. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/how_4926481_use-scientific-method-research-crime.html Wudka, Jose. 1998. What is Scientific Method?. Retrieved from http://phyun5.ucr.edu/~wudka/Physics7/Notes_www/node6.html Zamora, A. (2010). Scientific Method. Retrieved from http://www.scientificpsychic.com/workbook/scientific-method.htm