How forensic science works: an architecture for the forensic enterprise

Forensic science serves a critical public need. How it does this, however, has not been comprehensively explored, leading some to consider forensic science a 'lesser' science. An enterprise level architecture is offered to suggest how it detects (sorts signal from noise), deciphers (translating those signals into meaningful information), and delivers (how the forensic industry can improve delivery). It is hoped that this philosophical and pragmatic presentation will spur discussion and, more importantly, action to place forensic science as a separate, basic science that can self-assess and improve its service delivery.