Forensic intelligence and error management applied to the analysis of drugs in the context of criminal sciences

• Grant number: 18/23859-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Effective date (Start): January 15, 2019
• Effective date (End): June 01, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Aline Thaís Bruni
• Grantee: Aline Thaís Bruni
• Host Investigator: Ashraf Mozayani
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Texas Southern University (TSU), United States

Abstract

Crime science uses the multidisciplinary approach to find new ways to reduce crime. The concept of forensic science has been redefined for the concept of forensic intelligence, which its purpose is to connect the process of clue analysis to the general context of investigation. In this way, integrated information can be useful in the decision-making process. With the re-democratization of the country and the promulgation of the Brazilian Constitution in 1988, it is essential that the procedure related to the production of evidence is increasingly reliable since errors in analysis can cause direct damage to human rights. The lack of standardization of expert procedures can bring many problems to Brazilian forensic analysis. In addition, problems related to the lack of investment in equipment and human resources can affect the reliability of the forensic analysis. In Brazil, the Drug Law deals with the consumption and trafficking of drugs and the crimes associated with them. It also provides technical procedures related to the identification and characterization of these substances. In this proposal, we intend to establish a long-term research collaboration between the University of São Paulo (USP) and Texas Southern University (TSU), focusing on criminal science and forensic intelligence applied to the analysis of illicit substances. The idea is to study the management of evidence from the scene of the crime to the court, evaluating the possible interference of error in the judicial decisions. This study is important both in terms of its technical aspects and its influence on human rights issues. We expect that this collaboration will bring benefits both in forensic research and in education, science, and decision-making information to provide society a better understanding of criminal evidence. (AU)