10 Fascinating Forensic Science Facts for Web Sleuths

From the abundance of true crime podcasts to police TV dramas that last decades, it seems like everyone is fascinated with crime, real or fictional. If you’re obsessed with watching “CSI” or “Law & Order,” you might think you know what forensic science is and how experts use it to track down criminals. Unfortunately, not every media portrayal of forensic science is accurate to the real-life methodology, but that doesn’t make it any less interesting. Here are some facts about forensic science that can inform your future crime TV binge-watches.

There’s No Perfect Piece of Evidence

Though many TV shows depict crime scenes as excellent sources of evidence, they’re often contaminated before investigators become involved. Violent crime scenes are even more challenging to source pristine evidence from when valuables break and blood soaks into certain materials. Regardless, first responders and second responders like ECS Crime & Trauma Scene Cleanup are tasked with working as efficiently and carefully as possible to avoid further contamination and gather helpful evidence. Additionally, these crime-scene-clean experts assume responsibility for disposing of biohazardous waste—a vital step in clearing the area of potential pathogens. 

DNA Testing Isn’t 100% Accurate

Many people believe DNA evidence is the most reliable source of seeking out criminals. However, DNA testing is an exact science, and one small mistake can lead to a wrongful conviction. DNA testing is a reliable source of evidence when done right, but it’s not without its flaws.

Teeth Are the Most Reliable Identifiers

Dental records are responsible for identifying over 93% of human remains. In the same way that fingerprints are unique to every person, everyone’s dental imprint is unique. Not only is it helpful in identifying victims, but dental records can also be useful for identifying criminals in some cases. Prolific serial killer Ted Bundy was identified when his dental records matched the bite marks he left on one of his victims.

Bullet Identification Isn’t Easy

Every gun barrel indeed has its own unique set of grooves that imprint on a bullet when it’s fired. However, identifying a gun from a bullet can be difficult when the bullet is damaged after someone fired it. Ballistics experts must be extremely precise with their analysis to be able to match it with a gun.

Insects and Pollen Are Useful Indicators

It’s no secret that dead bodies often attract insects. While a bug-infested body isn’t appealing to most people, forensic scientists can gather important information from their presence, like how long ago the person passed away or where the crime was committed. Pollen on clothing can also link a suspect to a victim.

Analyzing Evidence Isn’t a Fast Process

In many crime TV shows, evidence gathered and sent to the lab for testing is immediately analyzed, and scientists speedily report back results. However, in reality, analysis and testing can take up to months to uncover any meaningful results. The more complicated a request is, the longer it will take.

Fingerprint Matching Is Complicated

Finding fingerprints at a scene is incredibly useful for investigators, but identifying a match is more complicated than simply running it through a computer system. More often, fingerprints are studied by hand, with unique details recorded and sent to the computer database. The computer will send back their top matches, and the fingerprints must be examined once more with a well-trained eye to identify the correct match.

DNA Testing Doesn’t Just Identify the Guilty

While DNA at a crime scene can quickly identify a perpetrator, scientists also use DNA to exonerate wrongfully incarcerated people. Questionable convictions in old cases with DNA evidence can be overturned after a re-investigation. To date, the Innocence Project has exonerated 375 wrongfully imprisoned individuals with DNA evidence.

Forensic Science Comes Second

Though forensic science is difficult to argue with, it takes on a supporting role in eyewitness reports. Forensic science is only educated guesses made by scientists to solve a crime. Eyewitness testimony is often relied upon more heavily than forensic science. However, forensic science is still valuable in most witnessed crimes for corroborating an eyewitness’s story, strengthening it.

Forensic Science Isn’t Just Physical Evidence

Forensic science is more than just physical evidence sent to a lab for testing. Investigators also use digital forensics and forensic psychology to identify criminals and serve justice. Forensic scientists often comb through suspects’ search and browsing history to connect them to a crime. Forensic psychologists will examine how a crime is committed and use that information to create a suspect’s profile.

The Bottom Line

There’s a lot to forensic science that doesn’t always make it to your TV screen. However, though it may not always be as exciting as the action shows you watch, forensic science is just as fascinating in real life as it is in Hollywood.