Forensic Scientists

Forensic scientists are involved in all the investigations in which evidence has been collected at the crime scenes by SOCO's and the evidence found needs analysing. Forensic scientists are the ones who analyse this evidence in the laboratories. They analyse the facts of the investigation from the evidence collected. The roles and responsibilities of a forensic scientist within an investigation include than Analysis of biological, chemical or physical evidence which would have been collected from the crime scene, a forensic scientist usually remains within the laboratory analysing all the evidence collected. This is to obtain vital information which could be important to the investigation. Analysing the evidence may include performing DNA tests on bodily fluids such as blood or semen. After the analysis of the evidence collected the forensic scientist will write up a report detailing the findings, this is an important as if the case goes to court, the report written by the forensic scientist will be used as potentially important evidence.

The evidence collected in the case of kidnapping of Christine Jessop was originally analysed by forensic scientists within the Ontario Centre of Forensic Sciences. The original evidence which was analysed by the lab was a fibre. The forensic scientists in this case were able to identify the fibre found in Guy Paul's car a match to that of the jumper Christine was wearing. Once Christine's body had been found there was more evidence to be analysed this was semen which was found on her panties and a strand of hair on her necklace. The hair was analysed by the Quebec Centre of Forensic Sciences and they stated that the single hair matched Morin, another forensic lab analysed the semen however the technicians at the lab accidentally contaminated the samples, this information was withheld from the defence (which was illegal).

The role of a forensic scientist is unlikely to change with the type of crime they are involved in. This is because their roles and responsibilities always involve analysing the evidence which has been presented to the evidence which was collected at crime scenes. The only factor that will change for forensic scientist is the type of evidence they have to examine. This will change because the evidence collected at crime scenes will always be different.