Science and law, a marriage of opposites
Forensic science is the progeny from a marriage of divergent philosophies. Many distinguished members of this profession have avoided the influence of law, lawyers, courts, and even crime scenes, by isolating themselves in laboratories. This is not unlike other science fields. Medical breakthroughs may come from individuals who, themselves, never see patients. Industrial chemists provide a multitude of formulae, compounds, and solutions which enhance the quality of, and sometimes disintegrate, the lives of humans. The discovery of better or worse solutions, medications, or techniques do not invalidate the earlier history of science fields from which they come; improvements normally continue the scientific progress. Herein lies the impediment to progress in forensic science provided by the criminal justice system. Science continues to change or it ceases to be science, but the law rarely changes or it ceases to be law. Because the courts and large doses of law are the final stage in the application of forensic science, demands are continually placed on laboratorians to adapt to a legal philosophy. It is impossible to acquiesce completely.