Systematic review on trace processing and forensic science contributions. Part II: Measuring the contribution of...

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Criminology
• Justice System Evaluation

Background:

• Effective resource allocation in law enforcement hinges on accurately measuring forensic science's value.
• Current assessments of forensic science contributions are inconsistent and lack standardization.
• Understanding forensic science's multifaceted roles within the criminal justice process is essential for evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the challenges in defining and measuring the value of forensic science.
• To explore the diverse roles and contextual factors influencing forensic science's perceived utility.
• To identify appropriate quantitative and qualitative metrics for evaluating forensic science contributions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies on forensic science contributions.
• Analysis of definitions, utility dimensions, and roles of forensic science.
• Examination of quantitative and qualitative evaluation metrics and frameworks.

Main Results:

• Forensic science's value is contingent upon its assigned roles (operational, strategic, symbolic).
• Impact is influenced by personnel, contextual, conceptual, and structural factors.
• Evaluation outcomes depend heavily on the metrics and frameworks employed.

Conclusions:

• A holistic and context-sensitive approach is vital for evaluating forensic science.
• Optimizing forensic science integration requires clear understanding of its value and impact.
• Findings offer insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in the criminal justice field.