When the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere on February 1,
2003, “forensic investigators” from various federal agencies were immediately sent to the crash sites in an
effort t
...
When the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere on February 1,
2003, “forensic investigators” from various federal agencies were immediately sent to the crash sites in an
effort to identify the causes of the accident. They were forensic scientists trained to uncover evidence that may or
may not eventually end up in a court of law. Likewise, when a bomb nearly detonated in New York’s Times Square
in 2010, this near catastrophe was investigated by scientists representing various federal and state agencies. Also
in 2010, both independent and government-employed scientists began to study the cause and effects of the explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico that resulted in the deaths of 11 workers and the
subsequent spillage—over 86 days—of an estimated 75,000 barrels of oil a day into the Gulf. As these examples
indicate, the term forensic refers to anything pertaining or potentially pertaining to law, both civil and criminal.
Investigations of this sort almost invariably occur whenever there are unexpected and unexplained events
that are not obvious natural disasters. In these contexts, scientists can perform numerous functions. They may
be able to determine whether human factors—for example, terrorism, sabotage, or negligence—caused the
tragedies. The information they provide can help in identifying those responsible. In the case of the oil spill,
scientists tried to determine not only how the explosion occurred, but also how to stop the leakage and the
extent of damage to wildlife and the environment.
Forensic science has become an all-encompassing professional activity and a popular career choice among
students. Nearly every conceivable profession, including psychology, has a forensic specialization.
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