We're living in times where forensic science has great popular appeal. Everyone is curious about criminal profilers, about DNA and about fingerprints.
One of the interesting things about being a forensic science fan, is that people all want give you their opinions of the criminal justice system when they know that you are interested in forensics. Before you get a chance to open your mouth, they babble on about everything from fingerprints and DNA to toolmarks and bitemark evidence.
Of course, they all believe they are all closet forensic psychologists or forensic psychiatrists who slip into the role of criminal profiler whenever they hear of a crime that has been committed that interests or horrifies them.
Calling in the Real Criminal Profiler
I know the wealth of profilers in popular fiction and on TV and in the movies have contributed to this illusion that criminal profiling is just a manner of instinct and a “sixth sense.”
I often wonder whether the public realizes that criminal profilers are not really a dime, a dozen, and that most are people with extensive experience and training and qualifications in forensic psychology or forensic psychiatry.
But, when watching crime programs on TV (I watch a lot of real crime) it seems like the FBI always calls in a criminal profiler who seems to say very similar things in very different crimes.
Forensic Science and the Criminal Justice System
The fact is that although the criminal justice system relies much more nowadays on forensic evidence, most convictions are still due to good solid police work, which is unglamorous and often very dangerous.
However, there is no doubt that the public’s fascination with all things forensic science is here to stay.
