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    IAFS 2023 Sydney Declaration - 18 May 2021

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    The Sydney Declaration outlines a definition of forensic science and seven principles of forensic science. The definition states that forensic science uses science to study traces from past events like crimes to understand what happened. The principles discuss how activities leave traces, the importance of scene investigation, the case-based and scientific nature of forensic science, its assessment of findings in context and with uncertainty, its multi-dimensional purposes, and how findings acquire meaning in context.

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    IAFS 2023 Sydney Declaration - 18 May 2021

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    alinat
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    The Sydney Declaration outlines a definition of forensic science and seven principles of forensic science. The definition states that forensic science uses science to study traces from past events like crimes to understand what happened. The principles discuss how activities leave traces, the importance of scene investigation, the case-based and scientific nature of forensic science, its assessment of findings in context and with uncertainty, its multi-dimensional purposes, and how findings acquire meaning in context.

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    IAFS 2023 Sydney Declaration - 18 May 2021

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    The Sydney Declaration outlines a definition of forensic science and seven principles of forensic science. The definition states that forensic science uses science to study traces from past events like crimes to understand what happened. The principles discuss how activities leave traces, the importance of scene investigation, the case-based and scientific nature of forensic science, its assessment of findings in context and with uncertainty, its multi-dimensional purposes, and how findings acquire meaning in context.

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    44 views2 pages

    IAFS 2023 Sydney Declaration - 18 May 2021

    Uploaded by

    alinat
    The Sydney Declaration outlines a definition of forensic science and seven principles of forensic science. The definition states that forensic science uses science to study traces from past events like crimes to understand what happened. The principles discuss how activities leave traces, the importance of scene investigation, the case-based and scientific nature of forensic science, its assessment of findings in context and with uncertainty, its multi-dimensional purposes, and how findings acquire meaning in context.

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    Sydney Declaration

    18 May 2021

    Background
    Over the years, forensic science has seen fantastic developments, including technological breakthroughs that
    have been used to solve or prevent crimes and serious incidents. We have also seen many debates regarding
    the perceived effectiveness and reliability of forensic science. Most of the discussions have centred around
    technical or organisational aspects often aimed at short-term gains. A more profound reflection on the field of
    forensic science and its impact has rarely been explored. However, a sound understanding of the essence of
    forensic science, its purpose and its fundamental principles is needed for future improvements, including in
    education, training, research and development, and operational practices. The Sydney Declaration, meant to
    have been presented at the postponed 2020 meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS)
    in Sydney, is the primary initial outcome of this fundamental reflection. We share this reflection and seek
    feedback from the international forensic science community.
    The Sydney Declaration is comprised of a forensic science definition and seven principles that have been
    reproduced below.

    Forensic Science Definition


    Forensic science is a case-based (or multi case-based) research-oriented endeavour using the principles of
    science to study and understand traces – the remnants of past activities (such as an individual’s presence and
    actions) – through their detection, recognition, examination and interpretation to understand anomalous events
    of public interest (e.g., crimes, litigations, security incidents).

    Forensic Science Principles


    Principle 1: Activity and presence produce traces that are fundamental vectors of information
    A precondition for a forensic science investigation is that activities cannot occur without leaving traces.
    Sometimes they are left at the scene; sometimes they are taken away (Locard’s exchange maxim). The nature
    of the activity influences the types of items that are exchanged, and how and where they are dispersed in the
    environment. This item(s), a remnant of the investigated activity, is the trace. The trace is a vector of
    information that is capable of being detected, examined and interpreted.
    The traceability of human activities is rapidly changing in our digitalised (i.e., combined physical and digital)
    environment. The place of forensic science is therefore increasingly central to studying events of public interest,
    which are themselves in transformation.

    Principle 2: Scene investigation is a scientific and diagnostic endeavour requiring scientific


    expertise
    The goal of the scientific investigation at the scene is to infer (i.e., reasoning under uncertainty) the
    reconstruction of an event through the study of the surviving traces. The site of an event is where relevant
    traces can be recognised and characterised with respect to their relative position that may be indicative of
    sequence, orientation and interaction. This information combines to help understand a limited number of
    potential explanations relative to the traces that need further examination and interpretation in the
    reconstruction and identification processes. This complexity requires a trained mind with broad science
    knowledge and with powerful and proficient observation and detection skills that may be extended by various
    scientific tools.

    Principle 3: Forensic science is case-based and reliant on scientific knowledge, investigative


    methodology and logical reasoning
    Traces constitute signs and forensic science engages a scientific process to investigate and understand the
    meaning of these signs with their ambiguities, misperceptions and strengths. This engagement involves asking
    relevant questions (mostly context dependant), making observations, forming hypotheses and testing those
    hypotheses. This testing may include measurements facilitated by technology, but such tests are only an
    extension of the scientific process. The process is characterized by critical thinking, logical reasoning (deductive,
    inductive, abductive and analogical), problem solving and informed judgement. This approach is rendered
    ineffective – and perhaps even counterproductive – if it is not applied within a logical framework and using a
    well-understood investigative methodology.

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    Arinex Pty Ltd
    Sydney Declaration
    18 May 2021

    Principle 4: Forensic science is an assessment of findings in context due to time asymmetry.


    In many instances, the quality of the trace resulting from an activity is such that it is incomplete, imperfect,
    and/or degraded by the passing of time, with such losses increasing uncertainty and often supporting only
    approximations concerning the past event under investigation. The ground truth remains in the past and is
    largely inaccessible. Forensic science can only be used to construct a model that is descriptive of a given
    scenario, explained by what is observed. The context is therefore essential. This is not a general model, but a
    specific retrodictive model that can only be inferential in nature. Forensic scientists cannot determine with
    certainty the definitive circumstances surrounding a trace, but only assess the relative value of associated
    findings under different plausible causes or scenarios. Such assessments should be unbiased and founded on
    scientific rigor and transparency.

    Principle 5: Forensic science deals with a continuum of uncertainties.


    Forensic science deals with a continuum of uncertainties that are present at every step of the process that starts
    with the generation of traces and moves through all the steps up to the communication of the findings and value
    to the intended recipient (whether reported in written documents or in oral form such as their presentation in
    Court). Research is needed to identify and quantify these uncertainties with the knowledge that uncertainty will
    never be eliminated.

    Principle 6: Forensic science has multi-dimensional purposes and contributions


    The purposes and contributions of forensic science are multi-dimensional. Through the systematic study of
    traces, forensic science (1) brings knowledge on crime, illicit markets and various mechanisms that cause harm
    or are of concern to society, (2) contributes to incident investigations, and (3) supports decision-making in legal
    proceedings. Forensic science provides the scientific basis for the practice of a variety of functions and
    professions related to crime, deviance and social response.

    Principle 7: Forensic Science findings acquire meaning in context


    Forensic scientists need to act ethically and with impartially, transparency and independence to ensure that they
    remain true to their science and so that the information they provide for the potential resolution of the activity
    under investigation is useful and reliable regardless of who benefits from the information. Forensic scientists
    must defend their results and opinions as appropriate while acknowledging any plausible alternatives. When
    evaluating findings, at least two alternative propositions should be considered.

    Contributors
    Rebecca Bucht, Finland, Patrick Buzzini, USA, Frank Crispino, Canada, Peter De Forest, USA, Keith Inman, USA,
    Chris Lennard, Australia, Pierre Margot, Switzerland, Michelle Miranda, USA, Niamh Nic Daeid, UK, Olivier Ribaux,
    Switzerland, Ralph Ristenbatt, USA, Alastair Ross, Australia, Claude Roux, Australia, Simon Walsh, Australia,
    Sheila Willis, Ireland, and Linzi Wilson-Wilde, Australia.

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    Arinex Pty Ltd

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