First of all, I want to say that I was literally learning about this stuff not 10 minutes ago. That is a re.tardedly creepy coincidence.
1.) Science is used mostly through the field of forensics in order to study crime scenes, collect data like fingerprints and hair fibers to try to identify the suspect, as well as use things like blood splatter to try to recreate what happened during the crime. this data is then used as evidence, either for or against a suspect, in order to sway the jury's opinion.
2.) Television shows like CSI have certainly raised awareness. Forensics, which was a formally unknown and untalked about profession is now in the spotlight. However, it can lead to some problems, such as skewing jurors' expectations of what to expect from forensic specialists.
3.) The scientific method consists of five steps:
-Make an observation.
-Ask a question.
-Form a hypothesis, or testable explanation.
-Make a prediction based on the hypothesis.
-Test the prediction.
The feedback loop occurs when you use the end conclusion to form another hypothesis to another experiment. Essentially, the feedback loop means that you are continually improving upon your experiment.
4.) In a criminal trial, a suspect or defendant is being accused of a crime. It is up to the prosecutor to prove that the defendant is guilty of that crime. It is up to the defense attorney to defend the defendant and prove that he is not guilty. It is up to the judge to listen to all the evidence and afterwards to give his verdict. The scientists can be used by either the prosecutor or defense attorney to bring forth evidence that can support either of their sides.
5.) Control samples are any type of well-known forensic samples that are used to assure analysis is properly performed so that results are reliable.
6.)It was helpful for scientists to compare results from the burnt debris and unburned background material from the area to see if the gasoline was present in the unburned samples.
7.) The analytical sciences used in the courtroom are very reliable because they go through careful screening and are measured against control samples so that they are accurate.
8.) Bias can seriously mess up a case. Say, if the forensic scientist in charge of testing and taking samples from the crime scene is an acquaintance of the suspect, he could purposely mess up the testing so that he clears his friend.
