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Science
Friday > Archives
> 2000
> July
> July 7, 2000:
Hour Two: Forensic Science
| Dead men often do tell tales. And so do blood drops,
dirt smudges, scratches, hairs, bullet casings, and maggots. Sometimes,
the signs left behind at a crime scene can tell a more accurate
story of a crime than an eyewitness would. And so, investigators
depend on the skills of scientists specially trained to coax the
tales out of clues -- forensic scientists. |
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DNA fingerprinting,
courtesy CDC.
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There are many different kinds of forensic scientists. Some are
medical examiners, doctors skilled in interpreting medical evidence.
Chemists, physicists, and biologists all may play a role, giving
testimony about matters from cocaine possession and paternity
to plane crashes and murder.
Forensic anthropologists help to tell the tales left behind in
skeletal remains. A trained forensic entomologist uses the insects
found (or not found) at a crime scene to provide information about
a case. On this hour of Science Friday, we'll be taking a look
at some of the science that goes on in crime labs across the country,
and give you a chance to ask questions of some of these high-tech
detectives. Call in: 1-800-989-8255.
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Traditional fingerprinting,
courtesy NIST.
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Guests:
Henry Lee
Commissioner of Public Safety (Retired)
Director, Connecticut
State Police Forensic Science Laboratory
Professor, Forensic
Science Program
University of New Haven
West Haven, Connecticut
M. Lee Goff
Professor, Entomology
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Author,
"A Fly for the Prosecution: How Insect Evidence Helps Solve Crimes"
Honolulu, Hawaii
Mary Manhein
Director, Forensic Anthropology
and Computer Enhancement Services Laboratory
Instructor, Anthropology
Louisiana State University
Author,
"The Bone Lady: Life as a Forensic Anthropologist"
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Books/Articles Discussed:
Related Links:
Past
SciFri Programs on Forensics
Michigan
State Police- Forensic Science Division - Resources page
Zeno's
Forensic Site : information on forensic science
Welcome
to the World of Forensic Entomology
Forensic-Entomology.com
Michigan
State Univ. Forensics
Welcome
to the LSU FACES Lab - Online
American
Board of Forensic Anthropology
American
Academy of Forensic Sciences Home Page
FBI
Laboratory
Court
TV: Dr. Lee in Simpson trial
People:
UP FRONT: HENRY LEE
Produced By: Annette Heist
Web Producer: Charles
Bergquist
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