Instructor Spotlight: David A.F. Lewis

How would you define forensic science?

Forensic science is the application of scientific principles and techniques to matters of law particularly in criminal, but also in civil, investigations. It brings together multiple scientific disciplines—such as biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology—to collect, analyze, and interpret physical evidence. The primary goal of forensic science is to provide objective, reliable information that can assist investigators, attorneys, and courts in understanding what happened during an event under investigation.

What’s a common misconception about the field?

That it’s objective and infallible. A great deal of forensics came not from the lab, but the courtroom. The result is that there is much more subjectivity involved—and room for bias and errors to creep in—than most people realize.

What’s coming up in your course that you’re particularly excited about?

I’m having each of the students take a look at one aspect of the forensics used in the recent Karen Read trials. They’ll each give a short presentation to the class on what they discovered later in the semester.