An exercise in scientific problem-solving: Illustrating the utility of the principles of the Sydney Declaration.

In forensic science, scientific problem-solving is characterized by the recognition of traces as part of iterative reasoning processes to assign meaning to those traces in order to interpret and reconstruct events. Through a set of fundamental principles, the Sydney Declaration presents a foundation of forensic science through the lens of a scientist. The distinction between a scientist and a technician may require clarification-where a prototypical technician follows a prescribed set of 'standard operating procedures' and may be limited in the interpretation of the resultant data, the scientist utilizes knowledge, skills, experience and imagination to identify the issue at hand and develop lines of inquiry for testing and interpretation. This case report draws on the Sydney Declaration in order to highlight the importance of learning about events from careful consideration of both obvious and less obvious traces. A case involving the assault of a police officer is examined to illustrate the use of the Principles: the problem originally defined by investigators at the scene and later by prosecutors resulted in incorrect analysis and interpretation of traces, hampering efforts at an accurate reconstruction of events. This exercise serves to demonstrate that in order to engage in scientific problem-solving, it is necessary to apply observation and reasoning in forensic investigations in order to yield an outcome that can be clearly articulated. The overarching goal is to support the drive to improve forensic science practice, education, and research through a case illustrating the value of the principles of the Sydney Declaration.

The use of COVID-19 contact tracing app data as evidence of a crime.

This commentary draws attention to the introduction of data collected by COVID-19 tracing apps as evidence in criminal proceedings and the novel considerations this evidence presents for criminal justice agents and digital forensics professionals.

The Sydney declaration - Revisiting the essence of forensic science through its fundamental principles.

Unlike other more established disciplines, a shared understanding and broad acceptance of the essence of forensic science, its purpose, and fundamental principles are still missing or mis-represented. This foundation has been overlooked, although recognised by many forensic science forefathers and seen as critical to this discipline's advancement. The Sydney Declaration attempts to revisit the essence of forensic science through its foundational basis, beyond organisations, technicalities or protocols. It comprises a definition of forensic science and seven fundamental principles that emphasise the pivotal role of the trace as a vestige, or remnant, of an investigated activity. The Sydney Declaration also discusses critical features framing the forensic scientist's work, such as context, time asymmetry, the continuum of uncertainties, broad scientific knowledge, ethics, critical thinking, and logical reasoning. It is argued that the proposed principles should underpin the practice of forensic science and guide education and research directions. Ultimately, they will benefit forensic science as a whole to be more relevant, effective and reliable.

The trace in the technique: Forensic science and the Connoisseur's gaze.

Both scientific art investigations and forensic investigations rely on observation, inferential reasoning, and analytical techniques to answer questions concerning identification, source, and activity. The forensic scientist and the art connoisseur evaluate the whole-a crime scene or work of art, respectively-and draw meaning from the often-overlooked details, or traces, contained therein. This manuscript considers the correlations between art connoisseurship and forensic science, first by outlining the history of connoisseurship, focusing on the detection and evaluation of traces through patient observation, reasoning, and comparison based on methods established by Giovanni Morelli in the nineteenth century. This article then explores connoisseurship and forensic science within the historical sciences framework, based on the process in which observable traces can be ordered to provide a reconstruction of unobservable past events. Finally, this article asserts that art can be used to shape and refine the scientist's practiced eye, thereby improving trace detection and interpretation in investigations.