Battlefield forensics was traditionally the field of archaeologists and historians who visited old battlefields and analyzed why armies won or lost and how the battles happened. The History Channel shows interesting reconstructions of old battles that were investigated by battlefield forensic scientists.
What is Battlefield Forensics?
Today, the functional lines between traditional warfare and activities like law enforcement, physical security and cyber-crime have very much blurred. New ways have been found to do solve problems. The application of forensic science disciplines to this area is commonly referred to as Battlefield Forensics.
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) defines forensics simply: “The application of multi-disciplinary scientific processes to establish facts.” DoD also applies criminal forensic capabilities and technologies typically used in law enforcement to meet their needs in national security and counter-terrorism.
What Kind of Forensic Science Disciplines are Used?
Forensic science disciplines, research, techniques and tools are used to in identify enemies, insurgents and terrorists, linking them through science to other people, places, things, organizations, and events. Other traditional crime scene techniques are also used.
The U.S. military uses amongst others, the following forensic sciences in pursuit of terrorists, and their accomplices:
- Latent prints
- DNA
- firearms and toolmarks
- forensic document examination
- forensic odontology
- digital evidence discovery, and
- forensic pathology
Battlefield Forensics – Weapons Intelligence Team
When an improvised explosive device is detected, most people run and take cover but the weapons intelligence team heads straight to the site to start the crime scene investigation.
According to Air Force Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham, Special to American Forces Press Service (DefenseLINK) “The Weapons Intelligence Team (WIT) team is important because we are going beyond a simple reactive mode. It brings a deeper level of intelligence and analysis to these devices. And we begin to understand what the enemy's tactics, techniques and procedures are resulting in better force protection,"
Crime Scene Evidence Collection
Today the battlefield is treated like a crime scene and members of the U.S. military are being taught to collect, analyze, and preserve information on battlefields ranging from tire treads on tarmacs of airports and exploded devices in the mountains of Afghanistan and on the roadways of Iraq.
This information collected by trained military personnel, captured in engagements with terrorists or seized from their bases and safe houses, includes:
- latent fingerprints recovered from explosive devices, vehicles and safe houses
- hair and blood samples
- firearms (for clues as to their origin and use)
- papers and identity cards
- software, and computer data
Potential Evidence and Intelligence Applications
A lot of information gathered in battlefield forensics has significant intelligence applications, but can also be important in making criminal cases against terrorist suspects captured by the military. Biometric evidence obtained on the battlefield also can be used to place terrorist fugitives on various watch lists.
Growing Field of Forensic Science
Because of advances in forensic science and the global war on terrorism, battlefield forensics is becoming a popular field of specialization in the military and is a growing field in the forensic science cluster.
Karen Lotter - Karen Lotter is a journalist and writer based in Durban, South Africa. She has written profiles, features, advertising copy, ...
