Passive bloodstains
Passive bloodstains - these stains are created by the force of gravity.
Pool Pattern – A bloodstain pattern which is typically formed when a source of blood is stationary for a length of time.
Passive Drop – Bloodstain drop(s) which are created, or formed, by the force of gravity acting alone.
Drip Pattern [...]

Is it possible for two people’s DNA to match?
DNA profiling as carried out in Forensic Science does not examine the complete DNA of an individual but certain specific areas only.
As far as these are concerned only identical twins will have the same DNA profile.

Essentially, chromosomes are made up from DNA and so carry the genetic code that defines us as individuals.
Human DNA consists of 46 chromosomes, arranged in 23 different pairs.
Half of these chromosomes come from our mothers and half from our fathers.
Of the 23 pairs, one defines the sex of a baby. If a father passes on [...]

The study of insects can be used in estimating how long a body has been exposed.
In situations where a body has been deposited somewhere where insects have access, different types of insect will be attracted to the corpse, depending upon the degree of decomposition.
Therefore, identifying the type of insect present can lead to an estimation [...]

Forensic scientists tend to be qualified in a range of scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biology, physics and certain other specialisms.
In the UK there are a number of different paths that a budding forensic scientist could follow, including university study at both B.Sc. and M.Sc. level.
Like many careers today, however, practical work is at least as [...]