Forensic Science: Uncovering the Truth Behind DNA Evidence

What two forensic science techniques are utilized to identify a suspect?

Identification and comparison are the two techniques forensic scientists utilize when assessing tangible evidence.

Answer:

In forensic science, identification and comparison are the two key techniques used to identify a suspect. Identification involves determining the physical or chemical identity of a substance, while comparison involves establishing whether two or more objects have a common origin.

Forensic scientists rely on a combination of identification and comparison techniques to analyze evidence in criminal investigations. When examining physical evidence, such as DNA samples, they first identify the specific characteristics of the sample to determine its identity. This process can involve analyzing the composition, structure, or other unique features of the material.

Once the initial identification is made, forensic scientists then compare the evidence with known samples to establish connections or similarities. By comparing the characteristics of different samples, they can determine whether they share a common origin or source. This comparison process is crucial in linking suspects to crime scenes or other pieces of evidence.

Overall, the use of identification and comparison techniques allows forensic scientists to piece together the puzzle of a criminal investigation by analyzing and connecting various types of evidence.