Forensic Science, Introductory Studies *

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Beyond the Crime Lab : The New Science of Investigation (Amazon)
by Jon Zonderman
Hardcover, 205 pages
Published by John Wiley & Sons
Publication date: May 1990

Brent's note: I first read this book after checking it out of the Multnomah County Library back in Portland as an undergrad. It's probably one of the first Forensic Science textbooks I ever read from cover to cover. The first edition was released in the seventies, I think. And Jon Zonderman has since died. But the work was impressive then and remains impressive now. A good section of case studies on deaths in cold climate and entomology, if I recall correctly. It's one of the few books your local library may actually have.

Synopsis: The science of criminal investigation has come a long way from the days of dusting for fingerprints and checking for lipstick traces. Here is a thorough look at the latest developments of criminal investigation technology, and their implications for the guilty and innocent. Illustrated.

Criminalistics:
An Introduction to Forensic Science (Amazon)

by Richard Saferstein
6 Edition
Hardcover, 640 pages
Published by Prentice Hall
Publication date: July 1,1997

Brent's Note: This is the book that I reccommend to people when I know they are first starting to learn about what forensic science is, and they need a learned, well structured, well written guide. It is written in plain language, has excellent graphics and images, and is quite simply the best of the current general, introductory textbooks on the subject of forensic science.

Rich also gave me some good input when we first developed the bookstore that really helped out (he suggested I put in the publication dates of the texts that we list, among other things).

You can buy this book here, or visit his site at: http://users.aol.com/lctox/safintro.htm

The publisher, Prentice-Hall Career & Technology: Authoritative and up-to-date, this exploration of the applications of forensic science to criminal investigation explains the techniques, skills, and limitations of the modern crime laboratory -- for those new to the forensic sciences. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title.

Book News, Inc., 05/31/95: A textbook that presents the techniques, skills, and limitations of the modern crime laboratory, for students (or others, including criminal investigators) who have no background in the forensic sciences. The nature of physical evidence is emphasized. This edition (fourth was 1990) is updated with the current technologies available to crime laboratory personnel. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. --This text refers to the hardcover edition of this title.

Forensic Human Identification (Amazon)
by Timothy Thompson (Editor) and Sue Black (Editor)
Hardcover
Published by CRC Press
Publication date: November 14, 2006

Forensic Human Identification: An Introduction explores the variety of biological indicators used in human identification and illustrates the basic principles of each discipline. The text explains how identity is established either irrefutably or statistically through diverse characteristics and markings including tattoos, fillings, retinal scans, and footprints. The first section covers analysis of biomolecular evidence, impression evidence, external and internal physical evidence, facial recognition and reconstruction, methods of communication, and identification from personal effects. The second section illustrates the context and applications of the science through high profile cases, including identity theft and fraud, crimes against humanity, and missing persons.


Forensic Science Handbook (Amazon)
by Richard Saferstein
Hardcover
Published by Prentice Hall
Publication date: November 1981

Forensic Science Handbook (Amazon)
by Richard Saferstein (Editor)
Volume 2 Hardcover
Published by Prentice Hall
Publication date: January 1988

Forensic Science Handbook (Amazon)
by Richard Saferstein (Editor)
Volume 3 Hardcover
Published by Regents/Prentice Hall
Publication date: April 1993

Forensic Science : An Introduction to Criminalistics (Amazon)
By P. R. DeForest, Henry C. Lee, Robert E. Gaensslen
Hardcover
Published by McGraw-Hill
Published in 1983

Brent's note: I of course think these are a great group of men and loved this book. And surprise surprise it is also required reading at UNH.

This covers the same things as does Saferstein's text, only with a few minor differences in presentation. I only with they'd update it. But I know Henry and Doc G. are are both extremely busy so I won't hold my breath.

Introduction to Forensic Sciences (Amazon)

by William G. Eckert
2nd Edition Hardcover, 390 pages
Published by CRC Press
Publication date: December 1,1996

The publisher, CRC Press http://www.crcpress.com, 09/05/96: New edition of this best-selling introductory textbook! Each chapter is written by a well-known expert in his/her respective field, and each specialty area is thoroughly treated When appropriate, the various methods of applying these sciences in different countries are covered. Heavily illustrated, the Second Edition has been updated to include the latest procedures and techniques that were not available or usefully developed when the first edition was published.

An Introduction to the Law of Evidence (Amazon)
by Graham C. Lilly, 2nd Edition
Hardcover, 4th reprint
Published by West Pub Co Publication
Publication date: September 1987

Brent's note: Excellent book for getting to know the Federal Rules of Evidence. A must have for any forensic scientist, detective, or law student. It gives you the basics of what it means to take get your evidence into that courtroom in plain English with excellent examples. I highly recommend this book.

Principles and Practice of Criminalistics (Protocols in Forensic Science) (Amazon)
by Keith Inman and Norah Rudin
Hardcover
Published by CRC Press
Publication date: August 29, 2000

Review
Any forensic laboratory undergoing accreditation would benefit from reading …the book. …quite readable because it is interspersed with interesting examples of actual cases. Its use of a vast array of references and historical quotes, throughout the book, speaks admirably of the depth and breadth of knowledge of the authors.
- William Westenbrink, M.Sc., RCMP Forensic Laboratory, Halifax, in Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal


Scientific Evidence in Civil and Criminal Cases (Amazon)
by Andre A. Moenssens, James E. Starrs, Carol E. Henderson
4th Edition Hardcover
Published by Foundation Press
Published in 1995

Brent's note: This book is one of the most often referenced texts on my shelf. It discusses in detail what experts are, what testimony is, and what expert testimony is and is not allowed. It also goes into great detail on the types of scientific evidence that are allowed and why. It answers a lot of questions and is a good companion for Lily's Law of Evidence.

Book News, Inc., 06/01/95: A reference to assist trial lawyers in obtaining a concise understanding of the scope of the most commonly encountered types of expert testimony, and the nature of the results which may be expected from the specialists. Furthermore, in addition to discussing the status of the law concerning the subjects covered, suggestions are offered about the future development of the law as it pertains to some areas in which expertise or certainty of conclusion remains elusive. This edition (third was 1986) adds, to the treatment of criminal evidence upon which the previous editions focused, discussions on the applications of these same techniques to civil litigation. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

 


Giannelli & Imwinkelried, Scientific Evidence, (Michie Co., Charlottesville, VA: 1993)

Moenssens, Inbau & Starrs, Scientific Evidence in Civil and Criminal Cases (Fourth Edition), (Foundation Press, Mineola, N.Y.: 1993)


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* Comments & reviews courtesy of Brent Turvey of Knowledge Solutions.