‘Poisoned Chalice?’

The challenges of forensic science and technology for homicide investigations

Bibliographic Data

ID21178325
AuthorsErin Gibbs Van Brunschot (University of Calgary, corresponding author), Graham Abela (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), Christina Witt (0000-0002-0841-4772, Calgary Laboratory Services), Jonathan W Hak (0000-0002-7902-881X, Leiden University)
Year2023
Volume24
Issue4
Pages475-492
Publication date2023-07-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePolice Practice and Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1561-4263 • E-ISSN: 1477-271X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/15614263.2022.2132250
OpenAlexW4307291627
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited22

The challenges accompanying the investigation of homicide have been observed for some time. Although police today can gather evidence in ways not imagined decades ago, the use of forensic science and technology (FST) have created challenges and consequences for modern-day homicide investigations. While ‘digital footprints’ are increasingly expected in court proceedings, the provision of and analysis of FST data falls to the police who face resource shortages and other challenges. We surveyed homicide investigators across Alberta to examine their perceptions of FST and the implications of FST for their work. Participants revealed that data volume, lack of expertise and resource constraints result in frustration with FST and the demands it creates. At the same time, most participants pointed to civilianization as the means through which technology can provide full advantage to homicide (and other) investigations

Criminology · Economic shortage · Homicide · Medical emergency · Poison control · Social science · Sociology · Computer Science · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Cybercrime and Law Enforcement Studies · Digital and Cyber Forensics · Engineering · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Medicine · Psychology

Tools

Open DOI