Criminalistics : an introduction to forensic science / Richard Saferstein

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Intro to Forensic Science courses - in CJ, Forensic Science, Chemistry programs Criminalistics aims at making the subject of forensic science comprehensible to a wide variety of readers who are planning on being aligned with the forensic science profession. Written by a very well-known authority in forensic science, this text introduces the non-scientific student to the field of forensic science. Through applications to criminal investigations, clear explanations of the techniques, and the abilities and limitations of modern crime labs, Criminalistics covers the comprehensive realm of forensics. The text strives to make the technology of the modern crime laboratory clear to the non-scientist. Combining case stories with applicable technology, Criminalistics captures the excitement of forensic science investigations.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface (p. xiii)
• About the Author (p. xvi)
• Chapter 1 Introduction (p. 2)
• Definition and Scope of Forensic Science (p. 4)
• History and Development of Forensic Science (p. 5)
• Organization of a Crime Laboratory (p. 10)
• Services of the Crime Laboratory (p. 13)
• Functions of the Forensic Scientist (p. 16)
• Other Forensic Science Services (p. 21)
• Chapter Summary (p. 25)
• Review Questions (p. 26)
• Further References (p. 28)
• Case Study: Detection of Curare in the Jascalevich Murder Trial (p. 29)
• Chapter 2 The Crime Scene (p. 36)
• Processing the Crime Scene (p. 38)
• Legal Considerations at the Crime Scene (p. 55)
• Chapter Summary (p. 56)
• Review Questions (p. 57)
• Further References (p. 58)
• Case Study: The Enrique Camarena Case: A Forensic Nightmare (p. 59)
• Chapter 3 Physical Evidence (p. 68)
• Common Types of Physical Evidence (p. 70)
• The Significance of Physical Evidence (p. 72)
• Forensic Databases (p. 79)
• Crime Scene Reconstruction (p. 83)
• Chapter Summary (p. 84)
• Review Questions (p. 86)
• Further References (p. 86)
• Case Study: Fiber Evidence and the Wayne William Trial (p. 87)
• Chapter 4 Physical Properties: Glass and Soil (p. 98)
• The Metric System (p. 100)
• Physical Properties (p. 102)
• Comparing Glass Fragments (p. 109)
• Glass Fractures (p. 116)
• Collection and Preservation of Glass Evidence (p. 118)
• Forensic Characteristics of Soil (p. 119)
• Collection and Preservation of Soil Evidence (p. 122)
• Chapter Summary (p. 123)
• Review Questions (p. 124)
• Further References (p. 125)
• Chapter 5 Organic Analysis (p. 126)
• Elements and Compounds (p. 128)
• Selecting an Analytical Technique (p. 132)
• Chromatography (p. 133)
• Spectrophotometry (p. 144)
• Mass Spectrometry (p. 150)
• Chapter Summary (p. 154)
• Review Questions (p. 155)
• Further References (p. 157)
• Chapter 6 Inorganic Analysis (p. 158)
• Evidence in the Assassination of President Kennedy (p. 162)
• The Emission Spectrum of Elements (p. 164)
• Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (p. 167)
• The Origin of Emission and Absorption Spectra (p. 169)
• Neutron Activation Analysis (p. 171)
• X-Ray Diffraction (p. 174)
• Chapter Summary (p. 175)
• Review Questions (p. 176)
• Further References (p. 177)
• Chapter 7 The Microscope (p. 178)
• The Compound Microscope (p. 182)
• The Comparison Microscope (p. 184)
• The Stereoscopic Microscope (p. 186)
• The Polarizing Microscope (p. 188)
• The Microspectrophotometer (p. 189)
• The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) (p. 192)
• Chapter Summary (p. 195)
• Review Questions (p. 196)
• Further References (p. 197)
• Case Study: Microscopic Trace Evidence-The Overlooked Clue (p. 198)
• Chapter 8 Hairs, Fibers, and Paint (p. 206)
• Morphology of Hair (p. 208)
• Identification and Comparison of Hair (p. 212)
• Collection and Preservation of Hair Evidence (p. 218)
• Types of Fibers (p. 219)
• Identification and Comparison of Manufactured Fibers (p. 224)
• Collection and Preservation of Fiber Evidence (p. 231)
• Forensic Examination of Paint (p. 232)
• Collection and Preservation of Paint Evidence (p. 239)
• Chapter Summary (p. 242)
• Review Questions (p. 243)
• Further References (p. 245)
• Chapter 9 Drugs (p. 246)
• Drug Dependence (p. 248)
• Narcotic Drugs (p. 251)
• Hallucinogens (p. 254)
• Depressants (p. 259)
• Stimulants (p. 260)
• Club Drugs (p. 263)
• Anabolic Steroids (p. 264)
• Drug-Control Laws (p. 265)
• Drug Identification (p. 268)
• Collection and Preservation of Drug Evidence (p. 273)
• Chapter Summary (p. 274)
• Review Questions (p. 275)
• Further References (p. 277)
• Chapter 10 Forensic Toxicology (p. 278)
• Toxicology of Alcohol (p. 281)
• The Role of the Toxicologist (p. 297)
• Techniques Used in Toxicology (p. 298)
• The Significance of Toxicological Findings (p. 302)
• The Drug Recognition Expert (p. 303)
• Chapter Summary (p. 306)
• Review Questions (p. 307)
• Further References (p. 309)
• Chapter 11 Forensic Aspects of Arson and Explosion Investigations (p. 310)
• The Chemistry of Fire (p. 312)
• Searching the Fire Scene (p. 318)
• Collection and Preservation of Arson Evidence (p. 321)
• Analysis of Flammable Residues (p. 323)
• Types of Explosives (p. 327)
• Collection and Analysis of Explosives (p. 332)
• Chapter Summary (p. 340)
• Review Questions (p. 341)
• Further References (p. 342)
• Chapter 12 Forensic Serology (p. 344)
• The Nature of Blood (p. 347)
• Immunoassay Techniques (p. 350)
• Forensic Characterization of Bloodstains (p. 352)
• Stain Patterns of Blood (p. 359)
• Principles of Heredity (p. 364)
• Forensic Characterization of Semen (p. 367)
• Collection of Rape Evidence (p. 371)
• Chapter Summary (p. 376)
• Review Questions (p. 377)
• Further References (p. 379)
• Chapter 13 DNA: The Indispensable Forensic Science Tool (p. 380)
• What Is DNA? (p. 382)
• DNA at Work (p. 385)
• Replication of DNA (p. 387)
• Recombinant DNA: Cutting and Splicing DNA (p. 388)
• DNA Typing (p. 390)
• Mitochondrial DNA (p. 403)
• The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) (p. 410)
• Collection and Preservation of Biological Evidence for DNA Analysis (p. 411)
• Chapter Summary (p. 417)
• Review Questions (p. 418)
• Further References (p. 420)
• Case Study: The Forensic Community's Response to September 11 (p. 421)
• Chapter 14 Fingerprints (p. 426)
• History of Fingerprinting (p. 428)
• Fundamental Principles of Fingerprints (p. 430)
• Classification of Fingerprints (p. 435)
• Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (p. 436)
• Methods of Detecting Fingerprints (p. 440)
• Preservation of Developed Prints (p. 451)
• Digital Imaging for Fingerprint Enhancement (p. 452)
• Chapter Summary (p. 454)
• Review Questions (p. 455)
• Further References (p. 457)
• Chapter 15 Firearms, Tool Marks, and Other Impressions (p. 458)
• Bullet Comparisons (p. 460)
• Cartridge Cases (p. 467)
• Automated Firearms Search Systems (p. 468)
• Gunpowder Residues (p. 471)
• Primer Residues on the Hands (p. 475)
• Serial Number Restoration (p. 478)
• Collection and Preservation of Firearms Evidence (p. 479)
• Tool Marks (p. 481)
• Other Impressions (p. 484)
• Chapter Summary (p. 492)
• Review Questions (p. 493)
• Further References (p. 494)
• Chapter 16 Document and Voice Examination (p. 496)
• Handwriting Comparisons (p. 498)
• Collection of Handwriting Exemplars (p. 501)
• Typescript Comparisons (p. 502)
• Photocopier, Printer, and Fax Examination (p. 504)
• Alterations, Erasures, and Obliterations (p. 505)
• Other Document Problems (p. 510)
• Voice Examination (p. 515)
• Chapter Summary (p. 519)
• Review Questions (p. 520)
• Further References (p. 521)
• Chapter 17 Computer Forensics (p. 522)
• From Input to Output: How Does the Computer Work? (p. 525)
• Putting It All Together (p. 529)
• How Data Is Stored (p. 530)
• Processing the Electronic Crime Scene (p. 532)
• Evidentiary Data (p. 536)
• Chapter Summary (p. 544)
• Review Questions (p. 544)
• Further References (p. 545)
• Case Study 1 Computer Forensic Analysis Answers the Question "Arson or Accident?" (p. 546)
• Case Study 2 Counterfeiting and Fraud: A Forensic Computer Investigation (p. 548)
• Chapter 18 Forensic Science and the Internet (p. 550)
• What Is the Internet? (p. 552)
• Where to Go on the Internet (p. 555)
• Exploring Forensic Science on the World Wide Web (p. 561)
• Websites You May Wish to Explore (p. 563)
• Forensic Analysis of Internet Data (p. 564)
• Forensic Investigation of Internet Communications (p. 566)
• Hacking (p. 569)
• Chapter Summary (p. 570)
• Review Questions (p. 571)
• Further References (p. 571)
• Chapter 19 The Future (p. 572)
• Case Readings (p. 581)
• Appendixes
• I Guides to the Collection of Physical Evidence-FBI (p. 611)
• II Instructions for Collecting Gunshot Residue (GSR) (p. 627)
• III Chromatographic and Spectrophotometric Parameters for Figures Contained in the Text (p. 627)
• IV Chemical Formulas for Latent Fingerprint Development (p. 630)
• V Chemical Formulas for Development of Footwear Impressions in Blood (p. 635)
• Answers (p. 639)
• Index (p. 643)
• Photo Credits (p. 653)