Fundamentals of Forensic Science

by Max M. Houck, Jay A. Siegel

Overview

Fundamentals of Forensic Science offers a complete look at the core topics of forensic science.

It represents the most realistic view of the field by including areas that, while central to criminal investigation, fall outside the typical definition of criminalistics. These areas include pathology, entomology, anthropology, and other areas of scientific study unique to forensic textbooks.

Organized by the timeline of a real case, the text begins with an introduction and history of forensic science. It then covers the methods of analysis used in most forensic examinations, addressing the biological, chemical and physical elements relevant to the field, and concluding with an examination of how forensic science intersects with law. Feature boxes throughout the text contain online resource listings, historical events in forensic science, practical issues in laboratory analysis, and topics for further reading or interest.

This book is recommended for students in forensic science and professionals in the various forensic disciplines – fire, chemistry, crime scene, trace evidence, law enforcement personnel, lawyers, and defense attorneys.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780080961651
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	11/30/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	680
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Dr. Max M. Houck is an internationally-recognized forensic expert with research interests in forensic science, education, and the forensic enterprise and its industries. He has worked in all aspects of forensic science, including at the FBI Laboratory. Dr. Houck has published widely in books and peer-reviewed journals. His anthropology and trace evidence casework includes the Branch Davidian Investigation, the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon, the D.B. Cooper case, the US Embassy bombings in Africa, and the West Memphis Three case, among hundreds of others. He served for six years as the Chair of the Forensic Science Educational Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). Dr. Houck is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a founding Co-Editor of the journal Forensic Science Policy and Management.

Jay Siegel, PhD is retired Director of the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program and Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. He was Director of the Forensic Science Program at Michigan State University for 25 years from 1980-2004 until his retirement as Professor Emeritus. Dr. Siegel is a Distinguished Member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and was named as Distinguished Alumni Scholar by his alma mater, George Washington University in 2011. He is co-editor of Forensic Science Policy and Management: An International Journal. He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences Forensic Science Committee from 2006-09.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction 2. Crime Scene Investigation 3. The Nature of Evidence 4. Microscopy 5. Light and Matter 6. Separation Methods 7. Pathology 8. Anthropology and Odontology 9. Entomology 10. Serology and Bloodstain Pattern Analysis 11. DNA Analysis 12. Forensic Hair Examinations 13. Illicit Drugs 14. Forensic Toxicology 15. Textile Fibers 16. Paint Analysis 17. Soil and Glass 18. Fires and Explosions 19. Friction Ridge Examination 20. Questioned Documents 21. Firearms and Tool Marks 22. Impression Evidence 23. Legal Aspects of Forensic Science

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Approaches forensic science from a unique and exciting perspective, giving readers an appreciation for crime scenes as recent pieces of history whose evidence tells a story

Editorial Reviews

"[A] complete look at the core disciplines, emphasizing biology, chemistry, and physical sciences that underpin forensic science. For example, a chapter on "Forensic Hair Examinations" begins by explaining how hair grows and its microanatomy, before moving on to discuss how to differentiate between human and non-human hair, how to estimate the ethnicity or ancestry of an individual from hair, and the process of comparing a known hair sample to a questioned hair. It is written and organized in a logical and practical manner that engages the reader to learn more."— Evidence Technology Magazine

From the Publisher