A forensic scientist told me in an interview that we are "part of the puzzle." That line has been with me since I first heard it, and I can't help but notice it in all of my work. When I'm having trouble obtaining the correct facts or communicating an idea, I imagine myself as a puzzle piece. Even if the pieces may not fit together precisely right now, I believe it will all make sense once the picture is complete. This frame of mind has guided my work over the last week as I have continued to conduct interviews, both online and in person.
My first in-person interview was with a criminalist who provided a wealth of information to support my research. A significant focus of my research is on malpractice, specifically the integrity of evidence when it's in the hands of criminalists. This aspect is critical to the outcome of court cases, as any contamination of evidence could potentially lead to a mistrial. The forensic department holds considerable influence in helping juries and judges determine the outcomes of cases. Consequently, the control of the evidence integrity is of extreme importance. During my conversation with the criminalist, she demonstrated the procedures used to maintain the highest level of factual accuracy in the field. She discussed elements such as the chain of custody, evidence review, and specialized tape for detecting tampering, highlighting the measures taken to ensure the integrity of the evidence in forensics.
The understanding that everything I do is part of a larger puzzle has motivated me in my research. Even when confronted with the inherent challenges in my research, I am reminded that my contributions are critical to forming a complete and coherent picture in the end.
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