Forensic Science An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques Fifth Edition

Designed for a single-term course at the undergraduate level, the book begins by discussing the intersection of law and forensic science, how things become evidence, and how courts decide if an item or testimony is admissible. The text invites students to follow evidence all the way from the crime scene into laboratory analysis and even onto the autopsy table. Forensic Science offers the fullest breadth of subject matter of any forensic text available, including forensic anthropology, death investigation (including entomology), bloodstain pattern analysis, firearms, tool marks, and forensic analysis of questioned documents.

Going beyond theory to application, this text incorporates the wisdom of forensic practitioners who discuss the real cases they have investigated. Textboxes in each chapter provide case studies, current events, and advice for career advancement. A brand-new feature, Myths in Forensic Science, highlights the differences between true forensics and popular media fictions. Each chapter begins with an overview and ends with a summary, and key terms, review questions, and up-to-date references. Appropriate for any sensibility, more than 350 full-color photos from real cases give students a true-to-life learning experience.

Features

• Showcases contributions from high-profile experts in the field

• Highlights real-life case studies from experts’ personal files, along with stunning full-color photographs

• Organizes chapters into topics most popular for coursework

• Covers of all forms of evidence, from bloodstain patterns to questioned documents

• Includes textboxes with historical notes, myths in forensic science, and advice for career advancement

• Provides chapter summaries, key terms, review questions, and further reading