Ethics in Forensic Science
by Moderator on Apr.05, 2011, under Topics for discussion
The National Academy of Sciences report issued in February 2009, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward, noted the need for a national code of ethics for forensic science. While most forensic science professional organizations have codes of ethics there is no universal set of ethical standards. Further compounding this issue is that membership in forensic science organizations, which have codes of ethics, is not a requirement for a job in a forensic science laboratory or to testify in court.
Forensic science codes of ethics are pathways to appropriate professional conduct in forensic science practice. For codes of ethics to have any force, they must be developed, have consequences when practitioners fail to comply and there needs to be a means to administer the code. This prescription suggests a need for forensic science oversight, an idea that has been debated but has yet to take root. A question for consideration is: How might a code of ethics be enforced (what consequences would follow a gross ethical breach) and how would a code be overseen? And finally, how can ethics be best taught to forensic scientists and administrators?
April 6th, 2011 on 11:38 am
Don’t most labs (especially those under ASCLD/LAB or ISO jurisdiction) follow a national code of ethics? In my experience, the lab puts forth protocols for analysis, interpretation, and behavior (including ethics). It is the lab administrator’s oversight that ensures that we all follow these protocols. Even if there is no specific written code of ethics, aren’t all analysts aware of the ethical considerations of their position? All the analysts I know have ethics in the fore-front of their minds when working a case.
April 15th, 2011 on 4:54 pm
Erika’s comment is well taken. Most forensic scientists are keenly aware of their professional ethical obligations. Yet there continue to be a small minority which cause the rest of us difficulties. Of course now that the National Academy of Sciences report recommended a universal code of ethics, the situation has changed and it may be difficult to argue that such a code is not necessary. And even if a code were developed, setting up an appropriate oversight body to review claims of unethical conduct as well as the consequences of a breech of ethics, is the real challenge to this entire matter.