The History and Evolution of Forensic Engineering and Incident Investigation Techniques

There are several different types of crime investigation techniques. Some of them are glass fracture analysis, fingerprint analysis, and a Violent crime linkage analysis system. These are all important techniques that are used by law enforcement to solve crimes. They help to identify the class of the crime and help to determine the type of criminal behavior involved. Trust the experts in Forensic Engineering in Ontario to help solve your complex cases.

Determining class characteristics

• Forensic engineering and incident investigation techniques are used to determine the class characteristics of materials, people, objects, or events. The data gathered is analyzed to help engineers understand the causes of structural failures.
• In many cases, forensic engineers work alongside design teams to identify the cause of a failure. After determining the root cause of a defect, forensic engineers may provide recommendations on how to correct the structure. These engineers are also called in to testify in court.
• In order to conduct a successful forensic investigation, an engineer must be technically proficient and have a thorough understanding of the scientific method. In addition, forensic engineers must be clear communicators. It is also important to maintain a "chain of custody" of evidence. During the process, a forensic engineer must follow a series of procedures to collect and analyze data.

Fingerprint analysis

• It is a well-known fact that fingerprint analysis has a long history in policing. The simplest form of fingerprint matching involves examining an unknown print against a database of known criminal prints. In the United States, fingerprint comparisons are usually conducted electronically using the Automated Fingerprint Identification System.
• A more sophisticated process involves a series of steps to sort through the possible suspects. In the United Kingdom, for instance, a physical matching method can link the suspect to the victim. The most effective method of doing this is to examine the characteristics of a print using a specialized machine.
• Forensic expertise covers a range of areas, from handwriting and toolmark comparisons to DNA analyses. Nevertheless, the most important area of focus for today's investigator is the fingerprint. This is because fingerprints provide evidence of a suspect's involvement in a crime.

Glass fracture analysis

• Glass-fracture analysis can help a forensic engineer or incident investigator prove or disprove the correct explanation for a suspected building or vehicle crash. It may also be helpful in challenging exaggerated damage reports.
• Using the right measurement methods is essential, especially if the object being examined is the glass itself. Ideally, the temperature values of the panes should be matched to those of a cooled Schmidt-Boelter heat flux gauge. It may be a challenge to use a contactless measurement method, especially since glass is a highly transparent material. The most popular option, however, is to use a thermocouple, which is a simple way of measuring the temperature of the panes, as well as their corresponding vapor pressures.
• A fiddly process requires several steps to be followed. For example, the glass shards must be stabilized using steel wires, and the specimens must be mounted on a soft support. The process can be time consuming and expensive, and it's difficult to control the resulting stresses to the level that is required.

DNA analysis

• Forensic engineering and incident investigation techniques are used to analyze the failures of structures, vehicles, and failures of materials. These techniques are useful for police investigations of motor vehicle accidents, building collapses, and intention explosions. The analysis of these cases is used for legal decision making, prosecution, and defense.
• DNA analysis is a useful tool for forensic investigators. It allows them to detect the identifying characteristics of cells, body fluids, and structure. In addition, it is useful for prosecuting health and safety claims, defending tort claims, and intellectual property claims.
• The DNA structure was first described by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953. The human genome contains over 3 billion base pairs of information. The genes encode protein synthesis. The genetic information in the human genome is arranged into a double helix.

Violent crime linkage analysis system

• Violent crime linkage analysis system (ViCLAS) is a computer database that helps investigators to link crime series. It is used by law enforcement agencies around the world. The system enables the comparison of complex information on individual offenses. It also assists in the search for potential links to the index series of offenses.
• The database collects extensive data on crimes of sexual assault, attempted murder, and other violent crimes. Several countries use ViCLAS, including Canada, Australia, Belgium, France, Hungary, The Netherlands, Norway, and United States. The database is managed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and is used in many criminal investigations.
• The Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System was developed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1991. It allows the comparison of complex information on individual offenses, including offender characteristics. It is also used for cross-jurisdictional investigations.