The future of forensic science: 5 predictions

1. DNA on the rise

DNA, the unique biological “fingerprint” in every cell of our bodies, is already in use in criminal investigations. With the recent identification of one Colin Pitchfork (UK) by the use of his DNA, and the conviction of Tommy Lee Andrews (Florida) the same year, this technology has been developed further. In the near future, we will see a database containing DNA samples from as many individuals as possible, with great impact on how we will treat both crime scenes and suspects.

2. Microorganisms under the micro-microscope

It’s not just humans that leave behind biological fingerprints. Microorganisms present in crime scenes, such as cyanobacteria, can contribute entire chapters to the whole story, previously hidden from view. We will need better investigative processes, and we will have new technology and scientific equipment available to detect, collect and identify microorganisms on site.

3. Digital archives

Everybody knows that information is only any good as long as you have a way to find it when you need it. To that end, I expect that we will see huge digital archives that allow analysts to interface and interact with them as you would with another human: by asking them about any subject, item or material at all, and the digital archive will retrieve any available information from its internal index in real time.

4. Advanced radio wave transmission

Transmitting data via radio waves isn’t exactly a novel concept, but we’re about to make great strides and compact more and better information into those waves. So far, we have gone from beeps to speech to music to encrypted data – and there always seems to be another, more wondrous step right around the corner. What’s next? It could be an entire consciousness. Forensic scientists need to be ready to expect, listen to, and analyze what’s being emitted into the world.

5. A network of experts

With the advent of digital communication technology, it is a matter of time before scientists of all departments are fully networked with each other. The investigative process will include expert help from all sides of the scientific community – biologists, geologists, chemists and so forth, with 24/7 availability. It is always daytime somewhere in the world, no matter what time it is in your crime-zone.