Crime scene examinations and scientific evidence are typically used as a reactive tool to explain, or clarify, what has occurred in a crime scene: therefore assisting juries and court officials make judgements of culpability of those on trial. Nonetheless, there is a strong argument that forensic science, and the resultant forensic intelligence, should not only be used solely as reactive evidence for judicial environments, but as a proactive means of gathering 'grey' intelligence for the ‘deterrence and reduction of crime’(Almog, 2014, p. 325), to help in the prevention of attacks, and possibly, facilitate early intervention and planning disruption and allow the identification of future methods and targets. Is Crime Scene Forensic evidence/intelligence being proactively exploited as a intelligence tool to identify actors, targets and possibly prevent terrorist attacks?
Not exactly, unfortunately, reactive responses to terrorism seems to be adopted more often compared to proactive initiatives.
Andrew
I don't know how far back your research has taken you but I have on my desk a UK Home Office report from 1996 written by Nick Tilley and Andy Ford. The report is entitled 'Forensic Science and Crime Investigation'. It argues that 'little proactive use was made of forensic science and that the future for forensic science was 'not clear' because of inter alia significant shortcomings in training and communications in this context '. I wonder how much really has changed in the UK over 25 years. Tilley and Ford's work might provide an interesting baseline for your assessment. I wish you well with your study. Adrian James
Dear Dr James
Thank you for your reply and the recommendation to read 'Forensic Science and Crime Investigation'. I have used some of Tilley's publications in my research but not this particular paper which I will download.
Im now doing a PhD on the same subject and will be gathering all the information I can from whatever dates possible. Having been in Crime Scene Investigation for nearly 30 years, I think, maybe as you do, not much has really changed in the forensic world and especially FORINT. I would like to get to the bottom of the issues and maybe, just maybe, enlighten someone with the power to change things :-)
I must say I have read and cited your work in my studies and have found it interesting and enlightening, thank you. I hope that one day I may meet you to discuss ILP and Forensics Intelligence and maybe discuss a way forward.
Once again thank you for your reply which is much appreciated.
Kind regards
Andy
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