Crime scene to court : the essentials of forensic science

Forensic science has been variously described as fascinating, challenging and even frightening. If you have only a vague concept of what forensic science is, this book will provide the answer. Aimed at non-scientists, or those with limited scientific knowledge, Crime Scene to Court covers all three main areas of an investigation where forensic science is practised, namely the scene of the crime, the forensic laboratory and the court. Coverage includes details of how crime scene and forensic examinations are conducted in the United Kingdom, the principles of crime scene investigations and the importance of this work in an investigation, and courtroom procedures and the role of the expert witness. The latest methods and techniques used in crime scene investigation and forensic laboratories are reported, cases are presented to illustrate why and how examinations are performed to generate forensic evidence and there is a bibliography for each chapter which provides further material for those readers wishing to delve deeper into the subject. Ideal for those studying forensic science or law, the book is intended primarily for teaching and training purposes. However, anyone with a role in an investigation, for example police, crime scene investigators or indeed those called for jury service, will find this text an excellent source of information.

Brian Caddy and Peter CobbNorman WestonAngela Gallop and Russell StockdaleKeith BarnettAdrian Emes and Christopher PriceAudrey GilesJonathan HennyRoger IdeLinda Jones and Maurice MarshallJames Wallace and Victor BeavisMichael ColeRobert AndersonVivian EmersonNigel WatsonTrevor Rothwell

Abbreviations	p. xx
Contributors	p. xxii
Chapter 1 Forensic Science	p. 1
1.1 Introduction	p. 1
1.2 When is Forensic Science Required?	p. 7
1.3 Duties of the Forensic Scientist	p. 9
1.4 Quality in Forensic Science	p. 10
1.5 Accreditation of Forensic Science Facilities	p. 12
1.6 Personal Accountability in Forensic Science	p. 14
1.7 Conclusion	p. 19
1.8 Bibliography	p. 20
Chapter 2 The Crime Scene	p. 21
2.1 Introduction	p. 21
2.2 The Organisation of Scientific Support within the Police Service of England and Wales	p. 23
2.3 A Burglary: An Example of a Volume Crime Scene	p. 26
2.4 A Murder: An Example of a Major Crime Scene	p. 41
2.5 Scene Attendance by Forensic Scientists or Other Specialists	p. 51
2.6 Conclusions	p. 54
2.7 Bibliography	p. 55
Chapter 3 Trace and Contact Evidence	p. 56
3.1 Introduction	p. 56
3.2 Targeting Potential Traces	p. 57
3.3 Recovery of Trace Materials	p. 61
3.4 Characterisation and Comparison	p. 63
3.5 Assessment of Significance	p. 75
3.6 Safety of Trace Evidence	p. 80
3.7 Bibliography	p. 81
Chapter 4 Marks and Impressions	p. 82
4.1 Introduction
Damage Based Evidence	p. 82
4.2 Footwear Impressions	p. 83
4.3 Information Available from a Shoe	p. 91
4.4 Comparing an Impression with a Shoe	p. 94
4.5 Instrument Marks	p. 95
4.6 Bruising	p. 102
4.7 Physical Evidence	p. 103
4.8 Erased Numbers
Non-Damage Based Evidence	p. 106
4.9 Fingerprints	p. 108
4.10 Conclusions	p. 113
4.11 Bibliography	p. 114
Chapter 5 Bloodstain Pattern Analysis	p. 115
5.1 Introduction	p. 115
5.2 Classification of Bloodstain Patterns	p. 116
5.3 The Evaluation of Bloodstain Pattern Evidence	p. 139
5.4 Bibliography	p. 141
Chapter 6 The Forensic Examination of Documents	p. 142
6.1 Introduction	p. 142
6.2 Examinations	p. 144
6.3 The Identification of Handwriting	p. 145
6.4 The Examination of Signatures	p. 151
6.5 The Examination of Photocopies	p. 155
6.6 Printing and Typewriting	p. 156
6.7 The Origin and History of Documents	p. 160
6.8 Printed Documents	p. 170
6.9 Procedures, Protocols and Quality Assurance	p. 170
6.10 Bibliography	p. 171
Chapter 7 Computer Based Media	p. 172
7.1 The Crime Scene	p. 172
7.2 Guidance on Examination of Computer-Based Evidence	p. 173
7.3 Storage Devices	p. 175
7.4 Logical Structure	p. 183
7.5 Contents of Allocated Space	p. 195
7.6 Contents of Unallocated Space	p. 198
7.7 Internet Activity	p. 204
7.8 Conclusion	p. 214
7.9 Bibliography	p. 214
Chapter 8 Fire Investigation	p. 215
8.1 Introduction	p. 215
8.2 The Nature of Fire	p. 215
8.3 Factors Affecting Flame Propagation	p. 219
8.4 The Investigation	p. 223
8.5 Location of Point of Ignition	p. 228
8.6 Excavation	p. 235
8.7 Laboratory Examination	p. 237
8.8 Quality Management	p. 240
8.9 Bibliography	p. 240
Chapter 9 Explosions	p. 241
9.1 Introduction	p. 241
9.2 Explosives Technology	p. 242
9.3 Facilities Required for Forensic Explosives Examinations	p. 248
9.4 Forensic Questions	p. 253
9.5 Photography	p. 264
9.6 Links with other Forensic Disciplines	p. 264
9.7 A Case Study	p. 264
9.8 Bibliography	p. 268
Chapter 10 Firearms	p. 269
10.1 Introduction	p. 269
10.2 Interior and Exterior Ballistics	p. 270
10.3 The Firearm	p. 271
10.4 Cartridges and Calibre	p. 274
10.5 The Discharge	p. 276
10.6 Scene Examination	p. 277
10.7 Examination of Firearms	p. 279
10.8 Comparative Microscopy	p. 283
10.9 Composition of Cartridges	p. 284
10.10 Firearms Discharge Residues (FDR)	p. 287
10.11 Conclusion	p. 292
10.12 Bibliography	p. 292
Chapter 11 Drugs of Abuse	p. 293
11.1 Introduction	p. 293
11.2 Drug Control Legislation in the United Kingdom	p. 293
11.3 Drugs of Abuse and Their Sources	p. 294
11.4 Identification of Drugs of Abuse	p. 302
11.5 Quantification of Drugs of Abuse	p. 310
11.6 Profiling of Drugs of Abuse	p. 310
11.7 Quality Assurance in Drug Analysis	p. 316
11.8 Bibliography	p. 316
Chapter 12 Forensic Toxicology	p. 318
12.1 Introduction	p. 318
12.2 Poisons	p. 320
12.3 The Work of the Forensic Toxicologist	p. 333
12.4 Interpretation	p. 340
12.5 Specific Areas of Interest and Case Studies	p. 343
12.6 Bibliography	p. 349
Chapter 13 Alcohol Analysis	p. 350
13.1 Introduction	p. 350
13.2 Absorption, Distribution and Elimination of Alcohol	p. 351
13.3 Legislation	p. 358
13.4 Analysis of Body Fluid Samples for Alcohol	p. 360
13.5 Analysis of Breath for Alcohol	p. 365
13.6 Technical Defence	p. 373
13.7 Conclusion	p. 376
13.8 Bibliography	p. 376
Chapter 14 The Analysis of Body Fluids	p. 377
14.1 Introduction	p. 377
14.2 Biological Evidence	p. 378
14.3 Tests for Blood and Body Fluids	p. 382
14.4 Blood-Typing	p. 385
14.5 DNA and its Analysis	p. 389
14.6 Forensic DNA Analysis	p. 397
14.7 Biological Evidence in Court	p. 408
14.8 Developments in DNA Testing	p. 410
14.9 Conclusions	p. 412
14.10 Bibliography	p. 413
Chapter 15 Presentation of Expert Forensic Evidence	p. 414
15.1 Introduction	p. 414
15.2 The Legal System and the Courts	p. 415
15.3 The Expert Witness	p. 419
15.4 Prosecution and Defence	p. 420
15.5 The Importance of Quality	p. 425
15.6 The Forensic Scientist's Report	p. 429
15.7 Giving Evidence in Court	p. 433
15.8 Conclusions	p. 438
15.9 Bibliography	p. 438
Subject Index	p. 440

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