These are the main areas of concern in the morgue and that make up forensics.  They can exist as a separate department or could be combined.  It depends on the size of the city and the number of crimes that occur there.

Anthropology

Anything related to skull or skeletal parts, identification of people, reconstructive techniques to identify victims

Ballistics

Anything to do with guns, bullets, gunshot residue, speed and trajectory of  bullets, gun powder and explosives

Biology

Any fibres, hair, soil, mineral, glass, plastic….microscopic evidence of any kind

Chemistry

Seminal stains, vaginal fluids, blood, dye….usually wet evidence.  Also, special equipment like ultraviolet light can detect fluids dried on fabric

DNA

Technique developed and used since 1989 to identify people through genetic tissue

Documents

Charred documents, analyzing and verifying handwriting, age of ink and paper, authenticity of documents

Entomology

Anything related to bugs, type, age, locations.  Used often to determine time of death of victim

Fingerprints

AFIS, VICAP, laserbeam scanners, Visuprint system, and any techniques used to lift fingerprints from a crime scene

Odontology

Teeth related.  Victim’s teeth are compared to any existing x-rays and DNA can be extracted from them as means of identification

Pathology

The first department that the dead body goes to.  X-rays are done, identification of victim and ultimately the autopsy

Photography

Special filters and magnifying cameras that can detect crossed out writing, forgeries,etc.  They also take multiple shots of the crime scene and all the exhibits for the court are created here

Serology

Blood stains, drips, sprays, type, blood in vaginal, semen, mucous, urine or  tear secretion.  (Part of chemistry department)

Toxicology

Body fluids and liver analyzed, stomach contents analyzed, poison analysis  done, they can detect 100 common drugs in tear ducts from swab taken at  crime or accident scene. (often part of chemistry department)

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William Anderson (Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team)
William completed his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in 2013. He current serves as a lecturer, tutor and freelance writer. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, walking his dog and parasailing. Article last reviewed: 2022 | St. Rosemary Institution © 2010-2024 | Creative Commons 4.0

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