Forensics: by John Rose
If the word "forensic" is in front of a name, as 'Forensic Pathologist', that seems to give credence for more respect or a high regard for that pathologist. However, in reality it means very little to the real world of the Professional Investigator. Every professional investigator is a "Forensic Collector" of evidence! Yes, the Professional Investigator collects "forensic evidence" every day of their investigative life. The true professional investigator starts each and every investigation the moment she leaves the office. That point is when the 'forensic notes'g begin. Yes, every day we make notes and those notes are made for use in court and that fulfills the meaning of the word 'forensic' and or it would be correct to refer to those notes as 'FORENSIC EVIDENCE'! The video the surveillance technician produces almost daily may also be correctly referred to as a production of 'forensic video'! Yes, that does sound a little 'pompous', as it should, because Mr. Webster tells us the word is intended to be a 'pompous' word. It is also used to create the effect of asking a question without expecting any reply or answer!
The oldest school of investigation in the United States is The Academy of Legal Investigators is in Salem, Oregon. The school has never advertised the fact that one of the major phases of this in-class training program is, "The Collection and Preservation of Forensic Evidence", or that the Director is knowledgeable in all phases of "Forensic Evidence". Yes, it would sound, exactly as Webster stated ... really POMPOUS!
According to Webster the word 'forensic'g is adapted or suited to argumentation as in a college debate or in a court of law. If you have every testified or presented evidence before a court or hearing you observed firsthand that each and every piece of evidence was questioned and did create an argument from both sides. This is always true and especially when the "EXPERT WITNESS" is in the witness chair to present her version of some phase and/or type of 'FORENSIC EVIDENCE'!
If we do not understand the meaning of a word or term it is usually deleted from use and seldom do we take the time to do the research to understand exactly where the writer is coming from. For years those with a creative mind and the desire to create that mystique which adds credence to their advertising would put the word "Forensic" in front of their name. If this was in relationship to science, medicine or pathology it could be accepted but when observed as: Forensic Investigator - Forensic Document Examiner - Forensic Fire Cause Examiner - Forensic Accident Reconstruction - Forensic Dog Catcher? Each one of these may or may not be real and/or ethical; however, may be true but pompous! [Like recording a telephone call without permission, legal but sleazy!]
Another example in explanation of 'forensic'g is the difference in the term Investigator, Legal Investigator, Professional Investigator and/or Private Investigator. To upgrade the profession we have been attempting to eliminate the PI and or Private for the business of investigations for years. The Professional and/or Legal may or could be referring to the same thing. The difference between the average investigator and the 'LEGAL' is --- The attorney gives a file to the 'Legal Investigator' with only a few printed suggestions inside the file. The investigator takes the file to travel across the state, does the investigation without calling to ask, "Now what do I do? Do I subpoena...etc? " No questions asked! The investigator gives the report to the attorney who ... months later goes to court to find witnesses present to give testimony on evidence which creates a winning file. This is a legal investigator or a true collector of ... "FORENSIC EVIDENCE" ... hopefully that will include both you and I...?