Final answer:
A criminalist primarily performs tests and analyzes evidence from a crime scene to help solve crimes, focusing on materials like hair, blood, and DNA. Unlike forensic pathologists or anthropologists, criminalists specialize in evidence analysis rather than examining bodies or identifying human remains. The correct answer is option: b. Performing tests and analysis on evidence and determining what can be proven based on results
Step-by-step explanation:
- The role of a criminalist is best described by their involvement in performing tests and analysis on evidence from crime scenes and determining what can be proven based on the results.
- Their work is primarily related to crimes against people, such as murder, and assault, and includes analyzing samples like hair, blood, and other body fluids, as well as processing DNA.
- Forensic scientists, which include biologists, chemists, and biochemists, are responsible for providing scientific evidence for use in court, and their job involves examining trace materials associated with crimes.
- While a forensic pathologist may examine bodies after death to determine the cause of death and a forensic anthropologist may help in identifying human remains, the criminalist's main focus is on the evidence that can help solve the crime.