There are several reasons for the tremendous growth in the number of crime laboratories in the United States. Here are three possible reasons:
1. Increasing crime rates: The rise in crime rates in the US, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, led to a growing demand for forensic services to help solve crimes and prosecute offenders. This demand was further fueled by high-profile criminal cases, such as the O.J. Simpson trial, which highlighted the importance of forensic evidence in criminal investigations.
2. Advancements in forensic technology: Advances in forensic technology, such as DNA analysis and digital forensics, have increased the accuracy and reliability of forensic evidence, making it an even more valuable tool for solving crimes. This has led to an increased demand for forensic services and the establishment of specialized crime laboratories to meet this demand.
3. Legal and policy changes: Legal and policy changes, such as the creation of the National Commission on Forensic Science and the passage of the Innocence Protection Act, have increased the scrutiny and standardization of forensic practices, leading to the need for more specialized and accredited crime laboratories to meet these standards. Additionally, the use of forensic evidence in criminal trials has become more prevalent, leading to an increased need for forensic services and crime laboratories to provide this evidence to the courts.