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Unit 23 Distinction
- Institution
- PEARSON (PEARSON)
I received a distinction in Unit 23 as a whole so I hope it helps you write your own:) p.s these documents are a guide, not to be copied word for word. Any questions please message.
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Unit 23: Forensic ScienceLearning Aim A: Discuss the importance of documentation methods to forensic
investigation and analyse each personnel used to gather evidence in relation to
health and safety and to preserve the integrity of evidence.
I will discuss the importance of documentation methods to forensic investigations and
analyse each personnel used to gather evidence in relation to health and safety
and to preserve the integrity of evidence. Health and safety of personnel and deception
methods are a crucial part of forensic science. These help exhibits to be processed, so that
their integrity is preserved and the continuity of the chain of evidence safeguards the
permissibility of evidence in a court of law. Without these measures many cases are
jeopardised.
In this section of my assignment I will be using examples from the Stephen Lawrence case
and the Gladly Godfrey case. I will study the failings in correct documenation methods which
compromised the integrity of evidence and its continuity which led to the collapse of the case
and justice not being served for his murder. I will highlight specific errors in the
documentation procedures that led to this and discuss the importance of health and safety
and continuity of evidence.
In the trial of the case against the suspects of the murder of Stephen Lawrence and the
rapist as well as murderer of Gladly Godfrey, it was highlighted that there was significant
failings in documentation procedures which led to a delay in justice as well as much of the
evidence being inadmissible in court.; it was found that labelling errors were made on key
evidence and these led to errors in documentation methods. These include:
Wrong case number being placed on an item of clothing, leading to evidence being
contaminated; this is a huge issue due to the fact that it means the evidence has become
compromised, so it will not be used in court. In addition to this, it also makes it difficult to
solve the case as contaminated evidence will not be able to show who committed the murder
or how the murder of the indiviaual, Stephen Lawrence, occured. Aside from contamination,
scene of crime officers (SOCO)/crime scene investigators (CSI), use different packages for
different items in order to prevent any injury, avoid evaporation in air, to protect small items
for example: scissors, knives are packaged in weapon tubes, guns or phones are placed in
evidences boxes to protect them, bullets, hairs, petrol are put into metal/glass air-tight tubes
so that the small item is protected. SOCO/CSI, who are accountable for collecting evidence
at a crime scene, are important authorised personnel as they establish what evidence is
needed from the crime scene and what the best ways to obtain the evidence is so that any
form of contamination to the evidence can be prevented; this is important as any tampered
evidence cannot be used in court which will affect how the case will go.
Incorrect storage of items of clothing leading to evidence being tampered with so it can’t be
used in court. Keeping a track of where the evidence has been transported helps the officers
to protect the evidence; all evidence has to be kept under suitable conditions so that it is
protected and preserved against deterioration and contamination. For example, fingerprints
are casted using a liquid material which hardens the impression, this is more durable than
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