Forensic investigation of stolen-recovered and other crime-related vehicles / Éric Stauffer, Monica Bonfanti.

By:

Stauffer, Éric, 1975-

Contributor(s):

Bonfanti, Monica

Material type: Text

TextPublication details: Burlington, Mass. : Academic Press, 2006.Description: 352 p. : ill. ; 25 cmISBN:

0120884860 (alk. paper)

Subject(s):

DDC classification:

629.282 STA

Online resources:

Contents:

The problem of auto theft / Mikel Longman -- Victim and witness interviews and collection of circumstantial information / Jean-François Chevalley, Manuel Poza -- General crime scene considerations and documentation / Moira Johnson, Simone Reynolds -- Forensic examination of stolen-recovered vehicles, part I : technical examination and general forensic traces / Marc Demierre -- Part II : Chemical traces--drugs, explosives, and gunshot residue / Francesco Saverio Romolo -- Traces and their evidentiary values / Éric Stauffer -- Vehicle identification / William T. Smylie -- Restoration of serial numbers / Horst Katterwe -- Alarm and anti-theft systems / Robert F. Mangine -- Examination of steering columns and ignition locks / Robert F. Mangine -- Examination of vehicle keys / Emmanuel Fivaz, Monica Bonfanti -- Analysis of vehicle fluids / Éric Stauffer -- Examination of burned vehicles / Éric Stauffer -- Examination of vehicles recovered underwater / Jean-François Voillot -- Examination of vehicle license plates / Didier Brossier -- Examination of vehicle registration documents / Diana Ombelli -- Vehicle searching procedures / Stéphane Kummer -- Examination of vehicles involved in terrorism / Greg Terp -- Investigation from the public side / Greg Terp -- Investigation from the private side, part I : the European perspective / Marc Stauffer -- Part II : The U.S. perspective / Glenn Wheeler -- Vehicle tracking / Greg Terp -- Vehicle crime mapping / Jerry Ratcliffe -- International collaboration through Interpol / Alain G. Barbier.

Holdings
Item type	Current library	Call number	Copy number	Status	Date due	Barcode
Standard Loan	Moylish Library Main Collection	629.282 STA (Browse shelf(Opens below))	1	Available		39002100325944

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Forensic Investigation of Stolen-Recovered and Other Crime-Related Vehicles provides unique and detailed insights into the investigations of one of the most common crime scenes in the world.

In addition to a thorough treatment of auto theft, the book covers vehicles involved in other forms of crime--dealing extensively with the various procedures and dynamics of evidence as it might be left in any crime scene.

An impressive collection of expert contributors covers a wide variety of subjects, including chapters on vehicle identification, examination of burned vehicles, vehicles recovered from under water, vehicles involved in terrorism, vehicle tracking, alarms, anti-theft systems, steering columns, and ignition locks. The book also covers such topics as victim and witness interviews, public and private auto theft investigations, detection of trace evidence and chemical traces, vehicle search techniques, analysis of automotive fluids, vehicle registration, document examination, and vehicle crime mapping.

It is the ultimate reference guide for any auto theft investigator, crime scene technician, criminalist, police investigator, criminologist, or insurance adjuster.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

Contributors (p. xiii)
Foreword (p. xxv)
Preface (p. xxvii)
Acknowledgments (p. xxxi)
Chapter 1 The Problem of Auto Theft (p. 1)
Introduction (p. 1)
Overview (p. 2)
Statistical Data and International Perspective (p. 6)
Enforcement and Prevention Strategies (p. 16)
Organizations (p. 18)
Chapter 2 Victim and Witness Interviews and Collection of Circumstantial Information (p. 23)
Introduction (p. 23)
General Approach to Interviews (p. 24)
Forms (p. 27)
Collection of Information (p. 27)
Chapter 3 General Crime Scene Considerations and Documentation (p. 37)
Introduction (p. 37)
Notification and Initial Assessment (p. 37)
Scene Attendance (p. 38)
Scene Examination (p. 41)
Report Preparation and Court Presentation (p. 55)
Chapter 4 Forensic Examination of Stolen-Recovered Vehicles (p. 59)
Part I Technical Examination and General Forensic Traces (p. 59)
Introduction (p. 59)
Determination of the Modus Operandi (p. 62)
Fingerprints and Palm Prints (p. 72)
Biological and DNA Traces (p. 75)
Microtraces (p. 82)
Toolmarks and Other Evidence (p. 86)
Abandoned Objects (p. 88)
Vehicles Involved in Other Crimes (p. 88)
Part II Chemical Traces-Drugs, Explosives, and Gunshot Residue (p. 93)
Introduction (p. 93)
Chemical Traces (p. 93)
Crime Scene Examination (p. 96)
Laboratory Examination of Samples (p. 104)
Chapter 5 Traces and Their Evidentiary Value (p. 109)
Introduction (p. 109)
Trace Properties (p. 112)
Evidence Leading to Individualization (p. 116)
Class Evidence (p. 120)
Chapter 6 Vehicle Identification (p. 127)
Introduction (p. 127)
Vehicle Identification Number Format (p. 127)
VIN Plate Locations, Types, and Attachments (p. 137)
Secondary and Confidential VINs (p. 148)
Particular VINs (p. 152)
Other Vehicle Markings (p. 155)
VIN Changing (or Re-VINing, Ringing, or Tagging) (p. 161)
Hands-On Vehicle Examination (p. 164)
Chapter 7 Restoration of Serial Numbers (p. 177)
Introduction (p. 177)
Serial Numbering Methods (p. 177)
Techniques Used to Obliterate Numbers (p. 177)
Material Deformation and Caused Effects (p. 182)
Restoration Methods for Metallic Objects (p. 187)
Restoration Methods for Plastics (p. 197)
Photography (p. 199)
Evaluation of Methods (p. 201)
Practical Suggestions for Serial Number Restoration (p. 202)
Chapter 8 Anti-Theft Systems (p. 207)
Introduction (p. 207)
Vehicle Anti-Theft Systems (p. 209)
Function Testing OEM Immobilizer Systems (p. 219)
Transponders (p. 221)
Electronic Key and Keyless Ignition Systems (p. 224)
Alarm Systems (p. 225)
Chapter 9 Examination of Steering Columns and Ignition Locks (p. 227)
Introduction (p. 227)
Vehicle Steering Columns (p. 229)
Vehicle Ignition Locks (p. 237)
Defeating the Ignition Lock (p. 241)
Examination of Steering Column Components on Burned Vehicles (p. 247)
Examination of Evidence (p. 254)
Chapter 10 Examination of Vehicle Keys (p. 259)
Introduction (p. 259)
Car Key Types (p. 259)
Key Duplication (p. 266)
Copy Traces on the Original Key (p. 273)
Forensic Examination (p. 277)
Chapter 11 Analysis of Vehicle Fluids (p. 283)
Introduction (p. 283)
Vehicle Fluids (p. 284)
Fluid Sampling (p. 287)
Analysis of Engine Oil (p. 291)
Analysis of ATF (p. 294)
Practical Cases (p. 295)
Chapter 12 Examination of Burned Vehicles (p. 301)
Introduction (p. 301)
Basic Principles of Fire (p. 303)
General Principles of Fire Investigation (p. 310)
Determination of the Origin (p. 320)
Determination of the Cause (p. 327)
Physical Evidence (p. 332)
Chapter 13 Examination of Vehicles Recovered Underwater (p. 337)
Introduction (p. 337)
Limitations in Underwater Crime Scene Investigation (p. 338)
Search Methods: From Simple to Sophisticated (p. 342)
Crime Scene Delimitation and Search Methodology (p. 347)
Crime Scene Examination and Recording (p. 350)
Collection of Evidence (p. 354)
Chapter 14 Examination of Vehicle License Plates (p. 367)
Introduction (p. 367)
License Plates Regulations and Delivery (p. 367)
Manufacturing of License Plates (p. 377)
Forged and Counterfeit License Plates (p. 380)
Forensic Approach to the Examination of License Plates (p. 381)
Chapter 15 Examination of Vehicle Registration Documents (p. 389)
Introduction (p. 389)
Concept of Registration of Vehicles (p. 390)
Security Documents (p. 395)
Document Fraud (p. 404)
Forensic Examination Methodology (p. 410)
Chapter 16 Vehicle Searching Procedures (p. 417)
Introduction (p. 417)
Equipment (p. 417)
Searching Methods (p. 418)
Other Vehicles (p. 430)
Chapter 17 Examination of Vehicles Involved in Terrorism (p. 433)
Introduction (p. 433)
Use of Stolen Vehicles by Organized Criminal Groups and Terrorist Organizations (p. 435)
Processing Stolen-Recovered Vehicles (p. 440)
Investigation of a Car or Truck Bomb Crime Scene (p. 442)
Case Studies (p. 447)
Chapter 18 Investigation from the Public Side (p. 457)
Introduction (p. 457)
Initial Reporting and Investigation of a Stolen Vehicle (p. 458)
Recovering Stolen Vehicles (p. 459)
Investigating Auto Thefts (p. 467)
Prosecutions of Auto Theft Cases (p. 477)
Types of Auto Theft Investigative Units (p. 478)
Chapter 19 Investigation from the Private Side (p. 481)
Part I The European Perspective (p. 481)
Introduction (p. 481)
Information in Possession of the Insurance Company (p. 481)
Collection of Background Information in Case of Theft (p. 482)
Investigation (p. 486)
Claim Settlement (p. 492)
Part II The US Perspective (p. 494)
Introduction (p. 494)
Indicators of Fraud (p. 495)
Investigation (p. 496)
Claim Evaluation (p. 502)
Chapter 20 Vehicle Tracking (p. 505)
Introduction (p. 505)
Types of Tracking Devices (p. 506)
Installing Tracking Devices (p. 510)
The Use of Tracking Devices for Investigations and Recovery of Vehicles (p. 512)
Case Studies (p. 515)
Chapter 21 Vehicle Crime Mapping (p. 521)
Introduction (p. 521)
Vehicle Crime: A Case of Information Overload? (p. 522)
Why Map Crime? (p. 523)
How Does Crime Mapping Work? (p. 525)
Recognizing Patterns and Trends (p. 532)
How Can Geographical Knowledge Aid Law Enforcement? (p. 536)
A Primer on Mapping Services (p. 538)
Data Checklist (p. 539)
Chapter 22 International Collaboration Through Interpol (p. 543)
Introduction (p. 543)
History (p. 543)
Extent of the Phenomenon (p. 545)
Interpol Approach (p. 548)
Technology to Help Police Work (p. 560)
The Interpol Tools (p. 561)
Conclusion (p. 563)
Abbreviations (p. 565)
Index (p. 571)

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Eric Stauffer is a criminalist presently living in Switzerland. In 1998 he obtained his Master-equivalent degree in forensic sciences from the Institut de Police Scientifique et de Criminologie at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. In 1999 he moved to the United States and, two years later, obtained another Master's degree in forensic sciences from Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Mr. Stauffer is certified as a Diplomate and a Fellow of the American Board of Criminalistics, with a specialty in the area of fire debris analysis. He is also a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) and a Certified Fire Investigation Instructor (CFII) both from the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI).

During his early career as a criminalist, Mr. Stauffer worked as a crime scene officer and a firearms and toolmarks examiner. In 2001, he moved to Atlanta and joined the private sector as a fire investigator and fire debris analyst. As such, his duties involved the investigation of numerous residential, commercial, and vehicle fire scenes to determine their origin and cause and, at the laboratory, the examination of fire debris samples for ignitable liquid residues. In 2006, he moved back to Switzerland to conduct research in forensic sciences, notably in fingermark enhancement techniques and fire investigation. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the School of Criminal Sciences at the University of Lausanne.

From 2003 to 2006, Mr. Stauffer was Chair of the Fire Laboratory Standards and Protocols committee of the Scientific Working Group on Fire and Explosives (SWGFEX). He also served as a subject matter expert for the development of the fire debris validation kit produced by the National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC).

Mr. Stauffer is a recognized speaker and instructor in the field of forensic sciences and, more particularly, in fire investigation and fire debris analysis.