TY - JOUR
T1 - The Sydney declaration – Revisiting the essence of forensic science through its fundamental principles
AU - Roux, Claude
AU - Bucht, Rebecca
AU - Crispino, Frank
AU - De Forest, Peter
AU - Lennard, Chris
AU - Margot, Pierre
AU - Miranda, Michelle D.
AU - NicDaeid, Niamh
AU - Ribaux, Olivier
AU - Ross, Alastair
AU - Willis, Sheila
N1 - This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Author(s)
PY - 2022/3
Y1 - 2022/3
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Clues
KW - Context
KW - Critical thinking
KW - Ethics
KW - Logical reasoning
KW - Principles
KW - Signs
KW - Time asymmetry
KW - Trace
KW - Uncertainties
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85123059543&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111182
DO - 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111182
M3 - Article
C2 - 35074711
AN - SCOPUS:85123059543
SN - 0379-0738
VL - 332
JO - Forensic Science International
JF - Forensic Science International
M1 - 111182
ER -