Is Document Examination a Science?

Forensic Scientists differ when defining document examination. Is it a science? If so, which science? What is our scientific analysis? Or, as some people believe, is document examination an art?

Definition of Science:

Science is a way of finding knowledge through well supported justification. It provides the best explanation given observed data.

Merriam Webster - knowledge about or study based on facts learned through experiments and observations.

Free Dictionary - the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena.

Wikipedia - is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions.

Different types of Science:

Pure Sciences

Pure sciences use the experimental method in order to formulate theoretical construct, explicate natural laws, and to expand knowledge.1

Exact Sciences

Historically, this expression comes from Aristotle. He used the phrase to describe sciences that demonstrate precise conclusions from known principles; philosophy, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and harmonics. ptolemy argued that philosophy was less precise and was not based from known principles. In the 17th century, the meaning of this expression began to change. Mathematics no longer appeared to be a science, but the language of or an assistant to science. Physics is now regarded as an exact science.

Hard Sciences

Hard sciences are quantifiable sciences. The strict use of scientific protocols is associated with mathematical equations.

Natural or Physical Sciences

Natural and Physical Sciences are harder to accumulate quantifiable conclusions: weather. They include astronomy, psychology, sociology, medical diagnosis, anthropology.

Observational Sciences

Observational Sciences cannot construct experiments to test ideas (how continents shift, how judges react to information). To substitute for experiment, statistical calculations and/or past data can allow for approximations. These sciences include geology, astronomy, and social sciences. Technology allows for observational science to become experimental sciences(discovering what comets are made of). Conclusions are represented as "The known data indicates..." "The known data infers..." The data does not prove ideas are true.

Applied Sciences

Applied sciences use scientific principles for a practical application. Practicality, time, and financial aspects are considered in applied sciences.

Examples of Various Types of Sciences:

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