Re: how does the use of computers help in forensic science

Andrea,
     The use of computers in forensic science serves two purposes.  The 
first is in solving things like so called "white collar crimes" or the now 
emerging internet crimes.  People use computers here to track down where 
messages have ceom from, or even looking at hidden or encrypted files on 
someone's computer to find evidence of a crime.  The other use of computers 
is to aid in analysis of forensic science DNA and chemistry lab findings.  
I can talk about this one is a little more detail cause I think this is 
what you are interested in.
     Forensic science uses a variety of different biochemical and chemical 
means to find evidence relating to particular case.  The best example to 
use is probably STR-PCR.  This is where a blood, skin, or hair sample from 
an unknown person is used to generate a "genetic fingerprint" of the 
individual it came from.  The lab then compares this unknown individual to 
several samples from any suspects, family members, and controls to 
determine if the experiment has been done correctly and accurately.  Now, 
the data from something like this can be read by the naked eye as each 
person's "genetic fingerprint" is seen as a specific pattern of bands on 
what is called a gel.  Each person has a unique set of bands, with related 
people having similar patterns, and only identical twins having the same 
pattern.  Analysis of the data can be tedious in that some samples are hard 
to see, or there may be many samples to look at, and this is where 
computers can help.  There are machines now that can read these gels for 
us, collect the data, and put it in a computer program that allows the 
scientist to look at the patterns in better resolution by enhancing the 
brightness of the bands on the gel.  The computer can also generate 
statistical data on the samples that may give the test more credibility.  
Basically, when any forensic science tests are done using computers, the 
scientist can process more samples, and analyse the data at a faster rate. 
Caselog backup is one of the biggest problems in forensic science, so the 
use of computers really helps.  For more information checkout these sites. 
 Good luck.

Mark Sullivan

Computers and the science of solving crime

Evidence, the true witness

Reddy's Forensic Homepage, Computers and Forensics