Ethics in Criminal Investigation

ETHICS IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS

The application of scientific knowledge and principles to the resolution of legal problems, whether criminal or civil, is known as forensic science. The person investigating becomes a collector of evidence and ultimately determines a key figure in guiding the inquiry in the right direction, which ultimately determines whether or not the investigation is successful.

Forensic science and criminology are currently diverse fields of research. It is important to recognize that forensic science is not for everyone. Forensic scientists can be subjected to a considerable degree of stress due to the unpredictability of the issues under litigation, the severity of the risk factors, and the authoritative personalities that dominate judicial systems around the world.

The greatest way to make sure competent techniques, results, reasoning, and conclusions is to fully accept the scientific method and its basic principle. This demands the use of forensic experts who use the scientific method objectively.

Expert evidence given to the court should be and be perceived to be the expert's independent work, uninfluenced in form or content by the necessities of litigation. An expert witness should provide independent assistance to the court in the form of objective, unbiased advice on subjects within his area of expertise. An expert witness should state the facts or assumptions that underpin his or her conclusion.

What is Ethics?

The study of desirable human behavior and the ideas that guide that behavior is known as ethics. The philosophy of ethics is concerned with moral questions such as right and wrong behavior. Morals are defined and widely agreed upon rules of conduct that are regarded as societal norms. The concepts of morality give the practical foundation for ethics.

Why ethics are important to forensic scientists?

• Experimentation in science is frequently conducted in a closed atmosphere, with little transparency to allow for a check and balance on correct scientific processes.

• Unethical scientists may exploit this confidentiality to advance their own agenda rather than to advance truth and knowledge.

• Evidence is frequently used to determine an individual's fate - whether they are guilty or innocent.

• To ensure that justice is served, ethics is vital.

What are some common ethical issues for forensic scientists?

• Falsifying qualifications or credentials

• Stressed testimony (adrenaline rush)

• Leaving out unfavorable information

• Lying about knowing about the evidence planted

• Fabricating data or notes

• Examining with a bias

What are the ethical norms for forensic scientists to follow?

• Accurate qualification representation

• Maintain evidence integrity

• True and correct data representation

• Detailed and complete documentation

• The examination's impartiality

• Testimony impartiality

• Protection and transparency

• Reporting colleagues who breach the ethical rules of the profession.

The National Code of Professional Responsibility establishes a framework for promoting scientific integrity and respect, as well as supporting a research-based culture. Some of the requirements followed by forensic professionals are;

 Represent his/her education, training, experience, and areas of specialization accurately.

 Pursue professional competency through training, proficiency testing, certification, and research presentation and publication.

 Commit to lifelong learning in the forensic disciplines and stay current on new discoveries, equipment, and techniques.

 Encourage the validation and adoption of new technology, while avoiding the use of invalid methods in casework and the misuse of validated methods.

 Tampering, adulteration, loss, or unnecessary ingestion of evidential items should be avoided.

 Any instance in which there are personal, financial, employment-related, or other conflicts of interest should be avoided.

 Conduct thorough, fair, and unbiased investigations that result in independent, impartial, and objective findings and conclusions.

 Conclusions should be based on commonly accepted techniques supported by adequate data, standards, and controls, rather than political pressure or other outside interference.

 Do not reach judgments that are outside of your area of knowledge.

 Prepare reports in straightforward words, distinguishing data from interpretations and judgments, and identifying all known limits that prohibit invalid conclusions or mislead the judge or jury.

 Do not change reports or other records, or omit material from reports, in order to gain a strategic or tactical advantage in litigation.

Author:- Sumithara