A fundamental principle of investigation for every crime scene comes from Edmond Locard, a forensic investigator in the early 1900s. Locard strongly believed that a criminal could be connected to a crime by true evidence collected at the crime scene. He stated:

“Whenever two objects come into contact, there is always a transfer of material. The methods of detection may not be sensitive enough to demonstrate this, or the decay rate may be so rapid that all evidence of transfer has vanished after a given time. Nonetheless, the transfer has taken place.”

The forensic scientist must be methodical in his or her work. He or she must first observe general characteristics of the evidence and then observe more specific features. He or she must link evidence to a crime and to the suspects by indentifying and comparing relevant material.

Scientists solve problems using an approach known as the scientific method. It includes the following steps:
1. Observe a problem or questioned evidence and collect objective data.
2. Consider a hypothesis or possible solution to the problem based on observation, giving direction to the work plan. This step requires inductive reasoning, experience, and imagination.
3. Examine, test, and analyze to support or refute the hypothesis.
4. Use deductive reasoning to make a determination as to the significance of the evidence.
5. Evaluate and verify all evidence. This step is especially critical to a forensic scientist because someone’s liberty can depend on this work. All possible errors must be stated. Consideration must be given to standardization, reproducibility, validity, reliability, and accuracy.

Finally, the forensic scientist must come up with a theory or opinion that is able to stand up or to scientific and legal scrutiny.

Activity: The Locard Principle
You are sitting at your desk. What are you in contact with? What possible transfer of material could have taken or is taking place? Make a list. How could you have prevented any transfer if you have thought about it first? What transferred material could be traced to you directly?

Think about when you came to school or work today. Did you leave any evidence that you were there other than being observed by others (eyewitness accounts)?

Is it difficult to not leave a trace? And, after the fact, is there a lot to worry about from leaving evidence of your presence? Do you think premeditated contact can diminish identifiable transfers? Give some hypothetical examples when destroying evidence might leave more that could identify you.

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Filed under: Forensic Accounting Schools

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