Forensic Research & Technology

Biography

Biography: George W Adams

Abstract

The cyclical transformation of forensic science may be conceptualized as being similar to social transformation – from dissonance to integrity and transparency of enlightenment, to the status quo agendas of elitism, to dissonance as reality interjects its trinity –  integrity, transparency and truth –a precursor to its renaissance (rebirth).  The original gestation of forensic science was approximately two and a half centuries.  Francis Bacon first planted the principled seeds of forensic science in the early 17^th century as a heretic who dared to challenge the insular agendas of elitism with what is known as the “scientific method” to get as near the truth as possible. Though there were many previous contractions, the birth of forensic science was delivered with Dr. Alexandre Lacassange’s 1889 autopsy of an unidentified murder victim – Tussaint-Augustin Gouffé.  Many forensic science disciplines flourished over the century reaching its pinnacle in 1989 with the DNA case of People v. Castro, when technology became reality’s truth crusader and DNA its guidon. As elitism took the leading role as forensic science’s protectorate, the status quo became an intractable obstacle to the implementation of innovative technologies.  The dissonance among all forensic disciplines increased over years; not until 2009 and a National Academies of Science’s report did that discordance to the dais – excluding DNA. It would be an innocuous request for re-analysis of a DNA sample by a Texas District Attorney that would the catalyst for opening the leading the renaissance of forensic science and opening opportunities for future cutting edge technologies.