Insight into the Professional Opinion of Ethics in the Field of Forensics

Alexis Kibe*, Hannah Webb*, Skylar Bennet*, Skyler Clemons* and Robin Bowen, Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506

Field (Broad Category): Forensics (Oral-Human Engagement) 

Student’s Major: Forensic Examiner 

Within law enforcement and forensic science, it is an unspoken requirement that each person within the field needs to have strong ethics. Forensic scientists are called upon to be expert witnesses, and that calls for swearing an oath to “tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” The job of a forensic scientist is to look at a piece of evidence objectively and find the facts without adding their own bias to it. How are forensic scientists able to keep their bias to a minimum? As a whole, what do the ethics among scientists and professionals in the field appear as, since the topic is not often discussed? In this research, a survey was sent to law enforcement and forensic professionals in order to get their views and beliefs on the ethics within their professions. This paper aims to address various ethical issues that are brought to attention through the responses of the survey participants. The results will impact the future of the different professions with in the criminal investigative realm to improve their standards and maintain their professional ethics. Strong ethical values are imperative to the integrity, reliability and credibility of everyone in the law enforcement and forensic fields. 

Funding: West Virginia University 

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU's Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) & accompanying HONR 297-level course