TY - JOUR AB - Forensic work normally covers individual crimes, unlike criminology, which investigates the general aspects of criminal behaviour. The concept of “forensic science” does not concur with the criteria of scientific research. Clearly, forensic methods are required to be well established, standardised and undisputed as much as possible. Innovation and creativity have to be severely restricted for the sake of fairness. Nonetheless, the scientific principles of objectivity, reliability and validity also apply to forensic investigations. The crucial aspects are the highest possible quality of both the investigation itself and the qualification of the expert. Genuine scientific research has inherent quality assessment mechanisms such as the “peer review” process. Additionally, mistakes are usually corrected later, by more detailed research. Correction mechanisms such as an appeals procedure or second expertise exist in forensic matters too, but the immediate impact of the results on the persons involved places the highest demands for qualification and quality. In gaining knowledge in forensic investigations, specific questions are normally followed by the generation of theories. These theories may then potentially be absorbed into the corpus of formal knowledge. Important innovations or improvements of existing techniques are often primarily based on a practical criminalist’s experience and not on academic research. The latter, however, is responsible for implementing scientific rules into forensic work. This calls for a close collaboration between academic research and practical application – i.e., an enhancement of scientific input. AU - Ditrich, Hans DO - 10.7396/IE_2011_D ET - 3/2013 KW - forensic forensic science forensic methods forensic investigation implementing scientific rules L1 - http://www.bmi.gv.at/cms/BMI_SIAK/4/2/1/ie2011/files/Ditrich_IE_2011.pdf LA - eng PY - 2011 SN - 1813-3495 SP - 40-51 ST - Does “Forensic Science” Exist? Scientific Background of Criminal Investigations T2 - SIAK-Journal − Journal for Police Science and Practice TI - Does “Forensic Science” Exist? Scientific Background of Criminal Investigations UR - http://www.bmi.gv.at/cms/BMI_SIAK/4/2/1/ie2011/files/Ditrich_IE_2011.pdf VL - 1 ID - 413 ER -