Meteorologists study the science of weather. Forensic meteorology is the applied science of weather, in particular it is the retrospective study of weather conditions at a specific point in the past. It is most frequently applied to figure out what the weather was doing at the time a crime was committed. Used in this way, it can sometimes help to catch a criminal. Forensic meteorologists examine atmospheric data, statements by eyewitnesses and historic data about the prevailing weather conditions at a specific time and place.
Fans of television shows like CSI and Sherlock may remember episodes in which the forensic analysis of weather led to the identity of a murderer. While the discipline is indeed used in this way, it may also be used by insurance companies to separate the genuine claims from the fraudulent ones.
This branch of meteorology makes a fulfilling career opportunity for people who are fascinated by the science of weather but who do not necessarily see themselves in front of a television camera telling the public whether or not they will need an umbrella on a particular day. Consultants may find themselves offering expert testimony in court one day and putting together maps of lightning strikes the next.
One of the earliest recorded forensic uses of meteorology took place when a farmer tried to sue a preacher for leading his congregation in prayer for rain over a drought-plagued community. No sooner had the prayer group disbanded then the skies opened and dropped five centimeters of rain, demolishing a bridge in the process. The farmer's case was thrown out because the attorney for the defense reminded the judge that the congregation had prayed only for rain, and not lightning.
Meteorologists will often summarize their findings in a special report composed of Official Surface Weather observations. These are usually taken at airports. They contain information about current weather conditions, air pressure, the direction and speed of the wind, the amount and height of cloud cover, visibility, precipitation and the depth of ice and/or snow. Reports will often also present data from private, unofficial, weather stations.
In the courtroom, weather experts need to be prepared to answer all sorts of questions about the weather before, during or even after a particular incident took place. They may be asked about wind speeds, or if snow melted and then refroze. They need to be prepared to answer questions about whether the plowing contractor met their specifications, or if a storm on a certain day was normal for the time of year or if it was a once in a century type of event.
Members of the public who are so inclined can make a substantive contribution to crime-solving by joining a network of volunteers and institutions that observe and document the weather 24 hours a day. This network is known as the Cooperative Observer Program. The data that these people gather is used to reinforce the official reports.
Scientific disciplines other than meteorology are also used in the quest for justice and truth. Among them are forensic engineers, geologists and astronomers.
Fans of television shows like CSI and Sherlock may remember episodes in which the forensic analysis of weather led to the identity of a murderer. While the discipline is indeed used in this way, it may also be used by insurance companies to separate the genuine claims from the fraudulent ones.
This branch of meteorology makes a fulfilling career opportunity for people who are fascinated by the science of weather but who do not necessarily see themselves in front of a television camera telling the public whether or not they will need an umbrella on a particular day. Consultants may find themselves offering expert testimony in court one day and putting together maps of lightning strikes the next.
One of the earliest recorded forensic uses of meteorology took place when a farmer tried to sue a preacher for leading his congregation in prayer for rain over a drought-plagued community. No sooner had the prayer group disbanded then the skies opened and dropped five centimeters of rain, demolishing a bridge in the process. The farmer's case was thrown out because the attorney for the defense reminded the judge that the congregation had prayed only for rain, and not lightning.
Meteorologists will often summarize their findings in a special report composed of Official Surface Weather observations. These are usually taken at airports. They contain information about current weather conditions, air pressure, the direction and speed of the wind, the amount and height of cloud cover, visibility, precipitation and the depth of ice and/or snow. Reports will often also present data from private, unofficial, weather stations.
In the courtroom, weather experts need to be prepared to answer all sorts of questions about the weather before, during or even after a particular incident took place. They may be asked about wind speeds, or if snow melted and then refroze. They need to be prepared to answer questions about whether the plowing contractor met their specifications, or if a storm on a certain day was normal for the time of year or if it was a once in a century type of event.
Members of the public who are so inclined can make a substantive contribution to crime-solving by joining a network of volunteers and institutions that observe and document the weather 24 hours a day. This network is known as the Cooperative Observer Program. The data that these people gather is used to reinforce the official reports.
Scientific disciplines other than meteorology are also used in the quest for justice and truth. Among them are forensic engineers, geologists and astronomers.
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