Criminalistic
- Atenea
- Jul 18, 2021
- 2 min read
Criminalistic is the discipline that analyzes material evidence found at the scene of the crime. It applies knowledge, methods, and techniques to the investigation of criminal acts, with the goal of determining and reconstructing the event as closely as possible to scientific truth. Its purpose is to assist the bodies responsible for justice, providing scientific investigation, evidence, and proof to the investigation of the crime, and reconstructing the event—these are among the many tasks of criminalistics (Porras, 2012).
However, it is not that simple; each task must be carried out using scientific methods (deductive, inductive, etc.) and, as much as possible, with the greatest objectivity. Like criminology, criminalistics does not work alone; it is supported by many other sciences and disciplines, such as:
Ballistics
Document examination
Fingerprint analysis
Fire and explosives investigation
Toxicology
Chemistry
Forensic photography
Hematology
All of these work in favor of justice, each with its own specific methods and techniques that make them truly unique, and together they provide a vast amount of knowledge.
On the other hand, it is important to mention that as part of this discipline, the stages of investigation include preservation, observation and documentation, collection and packaging of evidence, as well as the chain of custody and the processing of evidence. These are part of its duties, as many articles, books, and conferences have discussed and emphasized their importance with meticulousness. The chain of custody is a fundamental part and must be carried out with the utmost objectivity and professionalism, which is why those most closely involved are constantly trained, instructed, and updated.
References
Porras, J. F. (2012). La perfilación criminal. Técnica criminológica en el sistema acusatorio. México: Flores.
