The Difference Between Preliminary Field and Laboratory Testing

I’m working on a Law question and need guidance to help me study.

Difference between preliminary field and laboratory testing

Handling and processing evidence is an integral component of crime scene management because it lays the foundation for everything the court must consider when weighing the admissibility of evidence. For the most part, the courts prefer testing being carried out in a laboratory setting. However, there are exceptions, such as times when an initial examination also yields valuable information. In this assignment, you will differentiate between testing that might be done on-scene versus in the laboratory, identify testing that might be subject to preliminary testing, as well as compare the different results yielded by preliminary field versus laboratory testing. Support your assignment with examples from this week’s required material(s) and/or a minimum of three other scholarly or credible resources and properly cite any references.(Difference between preliminary field and laboratory testing)

Prior to beginning work on this assignment, please review the following:

• From the text:
  • Chapter 8: Pattern Evidence 1: General Patterns and Fingerprints
  • Chapter 9: Pattern Evidence 2: Firearms, Tool Marks and Document Analysis
• From the free, downloadable resource at the web page Crime Scene Investigation Guide (Links to an external site.):
  • Section D – Completing and Recording the Crime Scene Investigation
  • Section E – Crime Scene Equipment
• The articles:
  • An Automated Approach to the Classification of Impact Spatter and Cast-Off Bloodstain Patterns
  • Chemical Enhancement of Footwear Impressions in Blood Recovered from Cotton using Alginate Casts
• From the free PDF copy at the web page Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward (2009) (Links to an external site.):
  • Section 10. Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems
  • Section 11. Homeland Security and Forensic Science
• The video Forensic Science: Analysis of Drugs Using Colour Tests (Links to an external site.) shown above
• From the video Bodies, Blood, and Ballistics: Forensics School, Part One:
  • Segment 2. Forensics: Blood Spatter 02:35
  • Segment 5. Blood Spatter and Trajectories 04:35
• From the video Hands-On Police Work: Forensics School, Part Two:
  • Segment 3. Crime Scene Photography 02:27
  • Segment 6. How to Capture and Record Fingerprints 03:10
  • Segment 8. Crime Scene Documentation 03:18

You are also strongly encouraged to review the list of recommended resources, as they may assist you with this assignment.

In your paper, address the following:

• Identify what types of evidence might be subjected to preliminary or field testing.
• Describe at least two types of testing that might be done on scene.
• Differentiate between why some evidence can and should be subjected to preliminary testing on scene, while other types should not.(Difference between preliminary field and laboratory testing)
• Explain how the on-scene test compares to laboratory testing.(Difference between preliminary field and laboratory testing)
• Compare and contrast the results yielded by preliminary field versus laboratory testing.
• Compare and contrast the admissibility of on-scene versus laboratory testing at trial.

The Difference Between Preliminary Field and Laboratory Testing paper

• Must be 750 words in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center’s APA Style (Links to an external site.).
• Must include a separate title page with the following:
  • Title of paper
  • Student’s name(Difference between preliminary field and laboratory testing)
  • Course name and number
  • Instructor’s name
  • Date submitted
• For further assistance with the formatting and the title page, refer to APA Formatting for Word 2013 (Links to an external site.).

• Must utilize academic voice. See the Academic Voice (Links to an external site.) resource for additional guidance.
• Must include an introduction and conclusion paragraph. Your introduction paragraph needs to end with a clear thesis statement that indicates the purpose of your paper.(Difference between preliminary field and laboratory testing)
  • For assistance on writing Introductions & Conclusions (Links to an external site.) as well as Writing a Thesis Statement (Links to an external site.), refer to the Ashford Writing Center resources.
• Must use at least three scholarly, peer-reviewed, and/or credible sources in addition to the course text.
  • The Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources (Links to an external site.) table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for a particular assignment.(Difference between preliminary field and laboratory testing)
  • To assist you in completing the research required for this assignment, view this Ashford University Library Quick ‘n’ Dirty (Links to an external site.) tutorial, which introduces the Ashford University Library and the research process, and provides some library search tips.
• Must document any information used from sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center’s Citing Within Your Paper (Links to an external site.) guide.(Difference between preliminary field and laboratory testing)
• Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. See the Formatting Your References List (Links to an external site.) resource in the Ashford Writing Center for specifications.

Consider using Q for your library research and to access writing supports, and tutoring services available to you. See the Guide to Installing and Using Q (Links to an external site.) for more information.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.) for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.

Difference between preliminary field and laboratory testing-Solution

Testing plays a crucial role in various fields, be it scientific research, engineering projects, or product development. It is through testing that we validate hypotheses, evaluate the performance of systems, and ensure the quality of products. Two fundamental types of testing are preliminary field testing and laboratory testing, each serving distinct purposes and offering unique advantages. In this essay, we will explore the key differences between these two testing approaches and highlight their respective strengths and limitations.(Difference between preliminary field and laboratory testing)

Preliminary field testing involves conducting experiments or trials in real-world, natural settings or controlled environments that simulate real-world conditions. This type of testing is often used in situations where it is impractical or impossible to replicate the exact conditions in a laboratory setting. One significant advantage of preliminary field testing is its ability to provide more realistic data and insights about how a system or product performs in its intended environment. For example, testing a new agricultural fertilizer in the actual field will offer valuable information about its effectiveness under various soil and weather conditions.(Difference between preliminary field and laboratory testing)

Furthermore, preliminary field testing allows researchers and engineers to observe and understand the interactions between the tested object and its surroundings, which can be challenging to recreate in a laboratory. This approach enables the detection of unforeseen factors and potential variables that might have been overlooked during initial design and development stages. As a result, field testing helps refine the system or product and improves its overall performance.(Difference between preliminary field and laboratory testing)

However, preliminary field testing does come with some limitations. Firstly, it can be more time-consuming and expensive compared to laboratory testing due to the logistical challenges of working in real-world environments. Researchers may have to deal with unpredictable weather, travel to multiple locations, and account for various uncontrollable factors that could affect the results. Additionally, the difficulty of controlling all variables in field testing may make it harder to isolate specific factors affecting the system under examination.(Difference between preliminary field and laboratory testing)

On the other hand, laboratory testing involves conducting experiments in a controlled environment with carefully managed variables. This controlled environment allows researchers to focus on specific aspects of the system or product, isolating variables to obtain precise and repeatable results. Laboratory testing is especially useful in early development stages, where a controlled setting helps identify fundamental flaws and vulnerabilities without the complexities of real-world conditions.(Difference between preliminary field and laboratory testing)

The controlled nature of laboratory testing enables researchers to perform experiments with higher accuracy and reproducibility. They can manipulate conditions, adjust variables, and observe the system under controlled stress levels. Additionally, laboratory testing provides a safer environment for experimentation when dealing with hazardous materials or potentially dangerous scenarios.

However, laboratory testing has its limitations as well. Despite its controlled environment, it may not fully replicate the complexities and interactions present in the real world. Some systems or products may behave differently in the laboratory than they would in the field due to the absence of certain real-world influences. As a result, there is always a level of uncertainty about how well the laboratory results will translate into real-world scenarios.(Difference between preliminary field and laboratory testing)

In conclusion, both preliminary field testing and laboratory testing are vital components of the testing process, each offering unique benefits and limitations. Preliminary field testing provides valuable insights into real-world performance, allowing researchers to identify unexpected factors and optimize the system for its intended environment. On the other hand, laboratory testing offers control and precision, facilitating early-stage analysis and validation of hypotheses. Depending on the specific objectives and constraints of the testing process, researchers and engineers may choose to employ one or both approaches to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the system or product. Ultimately, the combination of both types of testing contributes to the advancement of science, engineering, and technology, leading to the development of innovative and reliable solutions(Difference between preliminary field and laboratory testing)