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Forensic Scientist

Applies science to solve crimes — analyzing evidence like DNA, fingerprints, and chemicals.

Did you know?

Even identical twins, who share the same DNA, have different fingerprints.

How subjects help

• Chemistry: Test a powder or stain found at a crime scene to identify exactly what it is.
• Biology: Build a DNA profile from a tiny drop of blood or a single hair left at a scene.
• Physics: Work out where a bullet came from or how a car crash happened from marks and angles.
• Mathematics: Calculate how likely it is that a DNA match could have happened just by chance.

A famous name

Edmond Locard: Set up one of the first police crime labs in Lyon in 1910; said 'every contact leaves a trace'.

Try it yourself: Lift and sort your fingerprints

1. Scribble a dark, shiny patch of pencil on a scrap of paper, pressing hard.
2. Rub one fingertip over the patch until it is grey, then press a piece of sticky tape onto your fingertip and peel it off gently.
3. Stick the tape onto clean white paper and label which finger it came from. Do all ten fingers if you can.
4. Sort each print: loop (lines come in and go back out the same side), whorl (circles or a spiral like a target) or arch (lines go in one side, rise, and leave the other side). Which kind do you have most of?

Forensic scientists lift prints from surfaces with powders and tape, then compare the ridge patterns and tiny details with prints on file to find out who touched something.

Adapted from Science World (Vancouver): Fingerprint Fun.

Also try: Blow up a balloon with yeast.

Known for it in

USA, UK, Australia, Germany, Canada

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