Forensics demystified

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There's no easier, faster, or more practical way to learn the really tough subjects

Forensics Demystified explains forensic science in a logical progression from evidence collection through analysis and finally to the scientist actually testifying in court. This self-teaching guide comes complete with key points, background information, quizzes at the end of each chapter, and even a final exam. Simple enough for beginners but challenging enough for advanced students, this is a lively and entertaining brush-up, introductory text, or classroom supplement.

Author Notes

Barry Fisher is Crime Laboratory Director for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and has worked in various sections within the lab since starting in 1969. He is a distinguished fellow and past president of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and served as president of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) and the International Association of Forensic Sciences. He is a past chair of the ASCLD Laboratory Accreditation Board. He is a member of several other organizations, including the International Association for Identification, International Association of Chiefs of Police, the California Association of Criminalists, and others. He holds a BS in chemistry from City College of New York, an MS in organic chemistry from Purdue University, and an MBA from California State University, Northridge. He is author of the popular textbook, Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation, now in its 7th edition, published by CRC Press.

David Fisher is a Criminalist, Level III in the Department of Forensic Biology at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in New York City. He is a Diplomate in the American Board of Criminalistics and is a member of the Northeastern Association of Forensic Sciences. David was recently deployed to the Gulf region with the Disaster Mortuary Operation Response Team (DMORT), which is part of the National Disaster Medical System under FEMA to aid in the identification of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He holds a BS in biochemistry and cell biology from the University of California, San Diego and is currently finishing his MS degree in forensic science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice at the City University of New York.

Jason Kolowski is a Criminalist, Level III in the mitochondrial DNA laboratory within the Department of Forensic Biology at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in New York City. He is also a Diplomate in the American Board of Criminalistics, and a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists. Jason is a member of the DMORT Region II team under FEMA. Jason attended Cornell College where he earned a dual BA degree in biochemistry/molecular biology and philosophy. Jason earned his master's degree in forensic science in 2003 from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, at the City University of New York.

Foreword	p. xii
Preface	p. xiii
Acknowledgments	p. xiv
Chapter 1 Introduction to Forensic Science	p. 1
The Forensic Science Laboratory	p. 3
Modern Forensic Science	p. 4
Identification vs. Individualization	p. 5
Evidence and Exemplars	p. 7
Inclusions and Exclusions	p. 8
The History of Forensic Science	p. 9
Quiz	p. 17
Chapter 2 Legal	p. 19
The Expert Witness	p. 19
Voir Dire	p. 21
Legal History of Expert Testimony and Forensic Evidence	p. 21
Types of Evidence	p. 24
Statute of Limitations	p. 26
Direct Examination	p. 27
Cross-Examination	p. 27
Discovery	p. 28
Limitations of Forensic Science	p. 29
Quiz	p. 29
Chapter 3 Crime Scene Investigation	p. 32
General Crime Scene Procedure Guidelines	p. 34
Crime Scene Reconstruction	p. 41
Collection of Physical Evidence	p. 42
Quiz	p. 44
Chapter 4 Forensic Photography and Documentation	p. 47
Documentation of Physical Injuries	p. 48
The American Board of Forensic Odontology Bitemark Scale	p. 48
Documentation of Forensic Evidence	p. 50
Forensic Photography at the Crime Scene	p. 50
Forensic Photographic Equipment	p. 51
Digital Photography and Forensics	p. 58
Other Types of Forensic Documentation	p. 61
Forensic Image Analysis	p. 62
Quiz	p. 63
Chapter 5 Forensic Pathology	p. 66
Who, What, When, Where, and Why?	p. 67
Who Is Involved in a Death Investigation?	p. 71
The Autopsy	p. 73
Wound Patterns	p. 78
Anthropology	p. 81
Mass Disasters and Forensic Pathology	p. 82
Quiz	p. 83
Chapter 6 Trace Evidence	p. 85
Collection Methods of the Trace Evidence Analyst	p. 87
The Microscope	p. 89
Instrumental Techniques	p. 95
Types of Trace Evidence	p. 97
Fingerprints	p. 104
Quiz	p. 106
Chapter 7 Forensic Biology/DNA	p. 109
Serology	p. 110
DNA Typing	p. 113
Specialized DNA Testing	p. 123
Statistics	p. 126
Codis	p. 127
Mass Fatality Identifications/Missing Persons	p. 129
Forensic DNA Testing and Beyond	p. 129
Quiz	p. 131
Chapter 8 Firearms and Toolmarks	p. 133
Firearms	p. 134
The Components of a Firearm	p. 137
Forensic Examination of Bullets	p. 140
Forensic Examination of Cartridge Casings	p. 142
Forensic Firearm Databases	p. 146
Other Specialties of Forensic Firearms Investigation	p. 147
Toolmarks	p. 152
Quiz	p. 154
Chapter 9 Drugs and Toxicology	p. 156
Drugs	p. 158
Forensic Drug Testing	p. 164
Chemical Structure of Drugs	p. 170
Poisons	p. 172
Quiz	p. 175
Chapter 10 Arson and Explosives	p. 178
Arson Investigation	p. 179
Arson Investigation and Reconstruction	p. 182
Explosives	p. 188
The Reconstruction of the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing	p. 193
Quiz	p. 194
Chapter 11 Questioned Documents	p. 197
Certification	p. 199
Tools of the Forensic Document Examiner	p. 199
Types of Evidence in Questioned Document Analysis	p. 204
Methods of Questioned Document Investigation	p. 208
Adulteration, Erasures, and Additions	p. 210
Counterfeiting and Countermeasures	p. 212
Quiz	p. 213
Chapter 12 Forensic Psychiatry	p. 216
A Brief History of Psychiatry	p. 217
Mental Illness Today	p. 218
Some Common Mental Disorders	p. 219
How Do I Become a Forensic Psychiatrist? Where Does a Forensic Psychiatrist Work?	p. 221
A Brief History of Forensic Psychiatry	p. 222
An Introduction to the Law	p. 222
Sex Offenders	p. 226
Workers' Compensation	p. 227
Termination of Parental Rights	p. 228
Hostage Negotiations	p. 229
Resources for Additional Information	p. 229
Quiz	p. 230
Appendix Forensic Science Education, Careers, and Resources	p. 233
Final Exam	p. 237
Answers to Quiz and Exam Questions	p. 255
Index	p. 259

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Table of Contents