Essential Forensic Biology / Edition 2 available in Paperback
- ISBN-10:
- 0470758031
- ISBN-13:
- 9780470758038
- Pub. Date:
- 03/24/2009
- Publisher:
- Wiley
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Overview
Essential Forensic Biology, Second Edition is an introduction to the application of biology in legal investigations. Fully revised and updated throughout, the second edition of this highly successful textbook offers an accessible overview to the essentials of the subject providing a balanced coverage of the range of organisms used as evidence in forensic investigations; invertebrates, vertebrates, plants and microbes.
The book provides an overview of the decay process and discusses the role of forensic indicators – human fluids and tissues, including blood cells, bloodstain pattern analysis, hair, teeth, bones, and wounds. It also examines the study of forensic biology in cases of suspicious death.
The coverage of molecular techniques has been expanded throughout with additional material on bioterrorism and wildlife forensics now included. The use of DNA and RNA for the identification of individuals and their personal characteristics is now covered along with a discussion of the ethical issues associated with the maintenance of DNA databases.
• Fully revised and updated new edition of this highly successful textbook.
• Includes self-assessment questions at the end of each chapter and case
studies throughout.
• Now in full colour throughout and includes a supplementary website
(www.wileyeurope.com/college/gunn) covering additional material
and self-test questions to reinforce student understanding.
Reviews of the First Edition
"The author does an excellent job of demonstrating how biological science can, and does, contribute to legal investigations…"
(The Quarterly Review of Biology, March 2007)
"…a super book …not a book that will languish on library shelves. Buy it!"
(Journal of Biological Education, Spring 2007)
"…naturalists and biologists will find much of interest within these books…new light on the application of their own specialism..."
(The Naturalist, 2007)
Product Details
ISBN-13: | 9780470758038 |
---|---|
Publisher: | Wiley |
Publication date: | 03/24/2009 |
Edition description: | 2nd ed. |
Pages: | 436 |
Product dimensions: | 6.60(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.70(d) |
About the Author
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Table of Contents
Introduction 1
The Decay Process 7
The stages of decomposition 7
Fresh 8
Bloat 11
Putrefaction 12
Putrid dry remains 16
Factors affecting the speed of decay 16
Burial underground 17
Burial underwater 18
Time of year and temperature 19
Burning 19
Exposure to sunlight 19
Geographical location 20
Quick quiz 20
Project work 21
Body Fluids and Molecular Biological Techniques as Forensic Indicators 23
Body fluids and waste products 24
Blood cells and blood typing 24
Confirming the presence of blood 26
Bloodstain pattern analysis 28
The Sam Sheppard case 33
The Sion Jenkins case 34
Saliva and semen as forensic indicators 37
Faeces and urine as forensic indicators 38
Molecular biology 39
The structure of DNA 39
DNA profiling 41
The Colin Pitchfork case 43
Forensic applications of DNAprofiling 43
Evaluation of DNA evidence 44
Polymerase chain reaction 45
Short tandem repeat markers 47
Y-Short tandem repeat markers 50
Single nucleotide polymorphism markers 51
Mobile element insertion polymorphisms 52
Mitochondrial DNA 53
The Tsar Nicholas II case 55
Quick quiz 57
Project work 58
Human Tissues and Wounds as Forensic Indicators 59
The outer body surface 60
Skin 60
Fingerprints 60
Lip prints and ear prints 65
Retinal and iris scans 66
Tattoos 67
Hair 68
Characteristics 68
Assimilation of poisons, drugs and explosives 69
Bones 71
Characteristics 71
Determination of gender 72
Determination of ethnic origin 73
Determination of stature 73
Determination of age 74
Facial reconstruction 76
Determination of age of remains 76
Teeth 78
Characteristics 78
Determination of age 79
Determination of gender and ethnic origin 80
Identification based on dental characteristics 81
Effects of drug abuse on dental characteristics 82
Wounds 84
Definitions 84
Bruises 85
Abrasions 88
Lacerations 90
Incised wounds 91
Stab wounds 93
Bone damage 97
Gunshot wounds 99
Bite marks 107
Burns and scalds 108
Postmortem injuries 110
Quick quiz 111
Project work 112
Bacteria and Viruses in Forensic Science 115
Introduction 115
The role of microorganisms in the decomposition process 116
Microbial profiles as identification tools 117
How microbial infections can predispose people to crime and simulate the occurrence of a criminal act 119
The use of microorganisms in bioterrorism 121
Anthrax 123
Plague 125
Smallpox 127
The transmission of HIV as a criminal act 129
The role of microbes in food poisoning 132
Quick quiz 133
Project work 134
Protists, Fungi and Plants in Forensic Science 135
Introduction 135
Protists as forensic indicators 136
Fungi as forensic indicators 141
Plants as forensic indicators 142
Wood 143
Pollen and spores 147
Fruit, seeds and leaves 154
Plant secondary metabolites as sources of drugs and poisons 159
Illegal trade in protected plant species 162
Quick quiz 163
Project work 164
Invertebrates in Forensic Science 167
Introduction 168
Invertebrates as forensic indicators in cases of murder or suspicious death 168
Invertebrates attracted to dead bodies 169
Detritivores 169
Carnivores 179
Parasitoid insects 181
Coprophiles 182
Invertebrates leaving dead bodies 183
Invertebrates accidentally associated with dead bodies 184
Invertebrates as a cause of death 186
Invertebrates as forensic indicators in cases of neglect and animal welfare 187
The role of invertebrates in food spoilage and hygiene litigation 188
Invertebrates as a cause of nuisance 192
Invertebrates as a cause of structural damage 193
Illegal trade in protected species of invertebrates 196
Quick quiz 196
Project work 198
Forensic Information Gained from Invertebrates 199
The importance of correct identification 200
Calculating the minimum time since death or infestation from invertebrate development rates 200
Complicating factors affecting minimum time since death calculations 206
Determination of the minimum time since death or infestation using invertebrate species composition 213
Determination of the minimum time since death using ectoparasites 213
Determination of body movement or point of infestation from invertebrate evidence 214
Invertebrate evidence in cases of wound myiasis and neglect 217
Detection of drugs, toxins and other chemicals in invertebrates 217
Obtaining DNA evidence from invertebrates 218
Determining the source and duration of invertebrate infestations of food and timber products 218
Quick quiz 220
Project work 221
Vertebrates in Forensic Science 223
Introduction 224
Vertebrate scavenging of human corpses 224
Vertebrates causing death and injury 228
Neglect and abuse of vertebrates 232
Vertebrates and drugs 233
Vertebrates and food hygiene 235
Illegal trade in protected species of vertebrates 236
Quick quiz 240
Project work 240
Collection of Animal and Plant Material for Forensic Studies 243
Introduction 244
The importance of scientific rigour and safety issues when collecting biolbgical material 244
Collecting and preserving diatoms and algae for forensic analysis 245
Collecting and preserving testate amoebae for forensic analysis 246
Collecting and preserving plant material for forensic analysis 247
Collecting invertebrates for forensic analysis 249
Killing and preserving techniques for invertebrates 252
Killing methods for hard-bodied invertebrates 252
Killing methods for soft-bodied invertebrates 253
Preservation of hard-bodied invertebrates 254
Preservation of soft-bodied invertebrates 254
Preservation of invertebrate eggs 254
Invertebrate identification techniques 255
Collecting environmental information for forensic analysis 256
Quick quiz 258
Project work 259
Postscript: Future Directions In Forensic Biology 261
References 265
Index 285