Forensic Science Ethics: When Evidence Is Inaccurate

 

Forensic Science Ethics: When Evidence Is Inaccurate

by Raman Yadav

The idea that science could speak for the dead, protect the innocent, and bring the guilty to light captivated me when I first entered the field of forensic science. However, as I learned more about the topic, I came to the crucial—and somewhat unsettling—realization that what if the science we depend on so much is abused? Or worse, duped?

In the legal system, forensic science is extremely powerful. And that authority carries a great deal of ethical obligation, which isn't always fulfilled.

 

Why Ethics Aren't Just "Nice to Have" in Forensics

In other domains, a scientific mistake could lead to an unsuccessful experiment or a false hypothesis. However, one error in forensics can destroy a person's life. Imagine receiving a biased or hurried report from a forensic expert and being wrongfully convicted. That is tragic in addition to being unethical.

In forensic science, ethics is more than just performing your duties effectively. The goal is to maintain the system's integrity, fairness, and dependability.

 

A Case That Still Haunts the Field: Annie Dookhan

One of the biggest ethics scandals in forensic history happened in Massachusetts, USA. A forensic chemist named *Annie Dookhan* was caught faking lab results in thousands of drug cases.

She wanted to impress her supervisors and clear cases faster. So, instead of testing evidence, she just made-up results. Over 34,000 cases were affected. Yes—thirty-four thousand.

Some people spent years in jail because of her shortcuts. Others were denied justice because real evidence was never tested. It’s one of the clearest examples of how a single unethical scientist can shake public trust in the entire system.

 

Bias Happens—Even Without Realizing It

Not all unethical behavior is intentional. Sometimes, it’s subtle.

Let’s say a forensic analyst knows who the prime suspect is before testing a fingerprint. Their brain might (without meaning to) look for similarities that support the police theory—even if it’s not a true match. This is called *confirmation bias*, and it’s surprisingly common.

In forensics, even the smallest assumptions can lead to dangerous conclusions. That’s why ethical awareness and neutrality are so important.

 

 Other Common Ethical Challenges

Here are some ethical issues I’ve come across in case studies and classroom discussions:

·       Overstating certainty– Saying results are “100% accurate” when they’re not.

·       Evidence mishandling – Contaminated, lost, or mislabeled evidence.

·       Ignoring exculpatory evidence – Not reporting findings that could help the accused.

·       Using unvalidated methods – Relying on techniques that aren’t scientifically sound.

 

How Can It Be Fixed?

As a student of forensic science, I've discussed ways to avoid ethical lapses with instructors and experts on multiple occasions. Among the main concepts are:

·       Blind testing: Analysts shouldn't be aware of case specifics that might sway their judgment.

·       Independent labs: Police departments and forensic labs ought to operate independently.

·       Appropriate instruction: Every forensic program should include ethics instruction.

·       Peer review: Every report needs to be verified by other professionals.

·       Speaking up: People who expose wrongdoing should be protected and encouraged to do so.

 

Concluding Remarks

Since I value justice and the truth, I decided to pursue forensic science. However, the reality is that forensics isn't flawless. Every report has a human behind it. Furthermore, people make errors or, worse, immoral decisions.

However, I also think that forensic science can reach its full potential if we have more conversations about these problems, remain truthful with ourselves, and strengthen our ethical basis.

As students, we are learning responsibility in addition to science.

And I hope to keep in mind that it's not just about the science if I ever find myself in front of a judge with evidence that has the power to alter someone's life. It all comes down to doing the right thing.