Sample Pages from the 2nd Ed. of CRIME LAB

Click on the sample pages from our newest title, CRIME LAB: A Guide for Nonscientists, Second Edition.

 
Chapter 1 "Process" (259K)

What criminalists face at a crime scene; how evidence is collected; who has what job and how they all interact.

from Chapter 7 "Trace Evidence" (326)

The examination and testing of microscopic particles of hair, paint and glass; the Shroud of Turin as an example of a trace evidence case; how the polarizing light microscope works.

Facing page from Chapter 7 "Trace Evidence" (352K)

How glass fragments can explain directionality of force.

Contents
Foreword to the First Edition 9
Preface to the Second Edition 10
Introduction 13

1 Process 16
What criminalists face at a crime scene; how evidence is collected; who has what job and how they all interact.

2 Blood Will Tell 32
Interpreting blood spatter patterns; sketching the scene and reconstructing events.

3 Scenes of Crime 42
Jigsaw fits and other matches; packaging and cataloging of evidence; chain of custody issues.

4 Perishable Evidence 54
Serology and sexual assault evidence; rape kit processing.

5 Clues in the Dust 68
Trace evidence collection; looking for clues in the clothing of suspects and victims.

6 Tools of the Trade 76
How the scientific instruments work; gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, How IR and UV spectra are put to use; how some evidence in the O.J. Simpson trial was unfortunately presented.

7 Trace Evidence 92
The examination and testing of microscopic particles of hair, paint and glass; the Shroud of Turin as an example of a trace evidence case; how the polarizing light microscope works.

8 Blood Will Tell and Tell 108
How ABO blood grouping was replaced by DNA testing; human genetics introduction; species identification.

9 Life’s Little Instruction Book 120
How DNA is amplified and tested; how the DNA results are read; how the product rule is applied.

10 Chemical Vice 134
How powders, tablets, plants and body fluids are examined and tested for the presence of controlled substances; Photo Essay: Beautiful and Dangerous.

11 Impressions 156
How firearms are examined and bullets matched. How toolmarks are compared; the NIBIN and IBIS systems; Photo Essay: Teeth and Jaws.

12 Credibility 174
What it’s like to testify as an expert; how to be an effective witness; the role of the criminalist and the future of the profession; certification and accreditation issues.

Appendices: Practical Exercises 204
Classroom exercises in forensic science; questions for discussion.

Acknowledgments 215
Further Study 216
Picture Credits 217
Index 218