Credibility of Forensic Evidence: Challenges, Causes and Solutions for Thailand Challenges, Causes and Solutions for Thailand
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Abstract
The purposes of this research were to (1) study the principles of credibility of forensic evidence creation, (2) study challenges and causes that attenuate the credibility of forensic evidence currently occurred in Thailand and (3) propose practical guides for increasing credibility of forensic evidence for the court trial in Thailand. The research methodology used in this study were included documentary research, focus group discussion, in-depth interview, and participation in seminars and conferences for gathering more data and suggestions. Finally the data were analyzed and summarized. The results showed that the credibility of forensic examination results can be created from (a) the organizations which are responsible for forensic investigation strictly do all management and examination process conformance to the requirements and guidelines of an international standard which is widely accepted by the forensic community (b) a forensic examiner is competency approved and registered as a discipline-specific examiner with a particular international organization. Challenges and causes that decreased credibility of forensic evidence occurred in any procedures of forensic evidence collection in the crime scene, evidence management, evidence examination, and equipment operation during the examination, report and case file writing, and testimony. Hence, the practical guides for increasing credibility of forensic evidence for Thailand were proposed in 5 aspects including (a) management development at both national and organizational levels, (b) competence of forensic organization and forensic scientist development, (c) legal and rule development, (d) forensic science knowledge and understanding of related personnel development for optimal use of forensic evidence and (e) court process and criteria for selecting reliable forensic evidences and expert witnesses development for further juristic consideration. The purposes of this research were to (1) study the principles of credibility of forensic evidence creation, (2) study challenges and causes that attenuate the credibility of forensic evidence currently occurred in Thailand and (3) propose practical guides for increasing credibility of forensic evidence for the court trial in Thailand. The research methodology used in this study were included documentary research, focus group discussion, in-depth interview, and participation in seminars and conferences for gathering more data and suggestions. Finally the data were analyzed and summarized. The results showed that the credibility of forensic examination results can be created from (a) the organizations which are responsible for forensic investigation strictly do all management and examination process conformance to the requirements and guidelines of an international standard which is widely accepted by the forensic community (b) a forensic examiner is competency approved and registered as a discipline-specific examiner with a particular international organization. Challenges and causes that decreased credibility of forensic evidence occurred in any procedures of forensic evidence collection in the crime scene, evidence management, evidence examination, and equipment operation during the examination, report and case file writing, and testimony. Hence, the practical guides for increasing credibility of forensic evidence for Thailand were proposed in 5 aspects including (a) management development at both national and organizational levels, (b) competence of forensic organization and forensic scientist development, (c) legal and rule development, (d) forensic science knowledge and understanding of related personnel development for optimal use of forensic evidence and (e) court process and criteria for selecting reliable forensic evidences and expert witnesses development for further juristic consideration.
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