Effective use of forensic science in volume crime investigations: Identifying recurring themes in the literature

Public Perspectives on Risks and Benefits of Forensic DNA Databases

“…The perception of the limitations of the deterrent effect of a forensic DNA database or its utility as a tool for preventing crime concur with the opinion expressed by prisoners and other different stakeholders (working in forensic genetics, the criminal justice system, and academia) in Portugal Machado, Silva, & Cunha, 2012). The uncertainties of the value of a forensic DNA database for deterring and preventing criminality have also been explored in the literature (Leary & Pease, 2003;Ludwig & Fraser, 2013) and some authors have noted that the potential deterrent effect and utility of forensic DNA databases must take certain characteristics of criminal behavior into account (Kazemian, Pease, & Farrington, 2010), together with the "forensic awareness of criminals" (i.e., precautions for avoiding police detection; Beauregard & Bouchard, 2010;Beauregard & Martineau, 2014).…”

“…Academic literature in the domain of forensic genetics reports the following benefits of forensic DNA databases: their capacity to serve as a valuable law enforcement tool by helping fight crime more efficiently, their contribution to the prevention of miscarriages of justice, and their ability to deter offenders from further criminal activity, which is, in turn, expected to reduce crime and increase public safety and security (Bieber, 2006;Dror & Hampikian, 2011;Kaye, 2006;Ludwig & Fraser, 2013;Schneider & Martin, 2001).…”

A Model for Managing Crime Scene Examiners

“…Measuring outputs and outcomes in terms of identifications is seen as a major performance measure for CSEs, who work within a small section of the greater criminal justice system. Performance measures in terms of the uses and effects of forensic science evidence in terms of outcomes in the criminal justice system are limited (Ludwig and Fraser 2013).…”

Utility of the clue — From assessing the investigative contribution of forensic science to supporting the decision to use traces

“…Considering the performance indicators that are currently used to measure the performance, the infrequent use of forensic science is considered as the manifestation of a low performance of the investigators regarding the use of traces [41].…”