Final answer:
August Vollmer, a police chief from Berkeley, established the U.S.'s first forensic laboratory, but it was not at LAPD as suggested by the question. Forensic scientists use techniques such as DNA analysis to solve various cases, which has effectively evolved modern law enforcement and scientific investigation practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pioneer in question who created the first forensic laboratory in the U.S. was August Vollmer, a police chief from Berkeley, California. However, there seems to be a confusion in the question as the forensic laboratory he established was actually at the Berkeley Police Department, not the LAPD. Vollmer is known for modernizing police techniques, including the use of forensic science in criminal investigations. The first forensic laboratory in the United States was officially opened by the LAPD in 1923, under the guidance of Vollmer's student, Chief James E. Davis.
Forensic scientists play a critical role in the field of criminal investigations by applying various scientific methods, like DNA analysis, to solve cases. Such analysis was first used to settle an immigration dispute in London, showcasing the potential of forensic science in realms beyond traditional crime scenes, as mentioned in the example of a teenage boy and the work of Dr. Alec Jeffreys at Leicester University.
Today, forensic science continues to evolve, with professionals specializing in areas such as forensic pathology and forensic anthropology. Forensic pathologists, for instance, are responsible for determining the cause of death in deceased individuals, often contributing valuable information in legal proceedings. This field, as well as the broader field of forensic sciences, remains essential in law enforcement and public safety efforts.