Editing Forensic science (section)

=== 21st century ===
In the past decade, documenting forensics scenes has become more efficient. Forensic scientists have started using laser scanners, drones and photogrammetry to obtain 3D point clouds of accidents or crime scenes. Reconstruction of an accident scene on a highway using drones involves data acquisition time of only 10–20 minutes and can be performed without shutting down traffic. The results are not just accurate, in centimeters, for measurement to be presented in court but also easy to digitally preserve in the long term.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.isasi.org/Documents/Hawkins%20-%20Using%20a%20drone%20and%20photogrammetry%20software%20V4%20(PAPER).pdf|title=Using a Drone and Photogrammetry Software to Create Orthomosaic Images and 3D Models of Aircraft Accident Sites|last=Hawkins|first=Stuart|date=November 2016|work=UK AAIB|access-date=4 February 2017|via=International Society of Air Safety Investigators|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113120441/http://www.isasi.org/Documents/Hawkins%20-%20Using%20a%20drone%20and%20photogrammetry%20software%20V4%20(PAPER).pdf|archive-date=13 January 2017}}</ref>
Now, in the 21st century, much of forensic science's future is up for discussion. The [[National Institute of Standards and Technology]] (NIST) has several forensic science-related programs: [[CSAFE]], a NIST Center of Excellence in Forensic Science, the [[National Commission on Forensic Science]] (now concluded), and administration of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC).<ref>{{cite web |title=Forensic Science |url=https://www.nist.gov/forensic-science |website=NIST |date=20 August 2013 |access-date=31 March 2024}}</ref> One of the more recent additions by NIST is a document called NISTIR-7941, titled "Forensic Science Laboratories: Handbook for Facility Planning, Design, Construction, and Relocation". The handbook provides a clear blueprint for approaching forensic science. The details even include what type of staff should be hired for certain positions.<ref>"National Institute of Standards and Technology" group="Scientist in Practice">{{cite web |last1=Aguilar |first1=James |title=Forensic Science Laboratories: Handbook for Facility Planning, Design, Construction, and Relocation |url=https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/ir/2013/NIST.IR.7941.pdf |website=nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/ir/2013/NIST.IR.7941.pdf |publisher=National Institute of Standards and Technology |access-date=15 April 2019 |ref=68}}</ref>