Building on the success of Forensic Taphonomy: The Post-mortem Fate of Human Remains, this book presents new and updated techniques. It expands the taphonomic focus on biogeographic context and microenvironments and integrates further the theoretical and methodological links with archaeology and palaeontology.
Topics covered include:
- Micro-environmental variation and decomposition in different environments
- taphonomic interpretation of water deaths
- mass graves, mass fatalities and war crimes, and archaeological and forensic approaches
- updates in geochemical and entomological analysis
- interpretation of burned human remains
- discrimination of trauma from post-mortem change
- taphonomic applications at the scene and in the lab
This comprehensive text takes an interdisciplinary and international approach to understanding taphonomic modifications. Liberally illustrated with photographs, maps and other images, Advances in Forensic Taphonomy: Method, Theory and Archaeological Perspectives is a valuable source of information for post-mortem death investigation.

Buy it

Dr Maples works in the Human Identification Laboratory at the University of Florida from where he is called upon to identify long-buried remains. In his book he describes some of the strangest, most interesting and most horrific investigations he has been involved in, from cases of gruesome and baffling dismemberment to double suicides and fire victims. One of his more famous cases involved the identification of fragments found in the makeshift grave of Czar Nicholas II and his family.

Buy it

Forensic illustration has become increasingly important as a tool for identifying both perpetrators and victims. The author is a leading forensic artist who aims to provide complete coverage of all aspects of the field. Beginning with the first in-depth documentation of the history of forensic art, this book proceeds logically through explanations of facial anatomy, practical methodologies and techniques, and case examples. More than 800 illustrations and photographs depict art methods used for identifying and locating crime victims and criminal offenders. Numerous successful examples, taken from actual solved cases, demonstrate applications of the methods and techniques presented. The author explains the characteristics of human facial anatomy, composite drawing, interviewing, age-progression by growth and ageing, image modification, post-mortem drawing and two-dimensional skull reconstruction. David Glassman has contributed a chapter on the skull-to-photo superimposition to aid in the identification of human skeletal remains by forensic anthropologist.

Buy it

Links have recently been established between the study of death assemblages by archaeologists and palaeontologists (taphonomy) and the application of physical anthropology concepts to the medicolegal investigation of death (forensic anthropology). This book explains these links in a broad-based, multidisciplinary volume. It applies taphonomic models in modern forensic contexts and uses forensic cases to extend taphonomic theories. Review articles, case reports and chapters on methodology round out this book's unique approach to forensic science.

Buy it

Revised from a classic in the field, the 2nd edition of this book is designed for students and professionals who need to accurately identify human skeletal remains. The book includes hundreds of photographs and drawings specifically designed to show a maximum amount of anatomical information. It includes case studies, a guide to electronic resources, and a chapter on molecular osteology. It is valuable for courses on the human skeleton and as a basic reference for professional osteologists and anatomists, forensic scientists, paleontologists and archaeologists.

Buy it

The book starts with a brief history of forensic anthropology, with emphasis on American forensic anthropologists and an introduction to methodologies for data collection and analysis. The 2nd chapter provides a basic introduction to human osteology and odontology. The structure of the bone and the process of bone growth are also summarized. The book then moves on to the forensic aspects of anthropology: distinguishing human from non-human bone, processing of death scenes, estimating post mortem interval, preparing recovered remains for detailed examination and assessing population ancestry (race), sex, age at death, and stature. A chapter covers skeletal trauma and its relationship to the determination of cause of death, and there are separate chapters on skeletal death caused by projectiles, blunt force and sharp force. Another chapter has been devoted to the individualization of human skeletal remains: facial recognition, assessment on handedness and estimation of bone weight. The penultimate chapter covers identification of human remains using ante mortem radiography and dental records. The final chapter examines the ethical responsibilities of the forensic anthropologist, the preparation of final reports and courtroom testimony. With a very detailed bibliography this is an excellent textbook for any undergraduate, as well as crime scene investigators, forensic pathologists and those teaching forensic science.

Buy it

Forensic toxicologists and pathologists are often called upon to interpret alcohol concentrations found in post-mortem specimens or in mishandled blood specimens. We must sometimes conclude that the results are meaningless or have been misinterpreted due to factors discussed in the ensuing chapters. Alcohol litigation may involve lawyers, pathologists, physicians and toxicologists or other laboratory specialists. A reference work dedicated to the forensic science of alcohol, to include its disposition in the body, decomposition influence, legal considerations, and many other facets is often needed and sought by these experts. This revised edition of the original American text, Medicolegal Aspects of Alcohol in Biological Specimens, is designed to provide up-to-date and authoritative information on alcohol in all aspects of its involvement in the forensic sciences and litigation.

Buy it

The book covers a set of themes under the heading of forensic archaeology and includes recent research in this field. The authors are members of the Archaeology Department at Bradford University and the publication contains contributions from the Police Scientific Development Branch in St. Albans, Hertfordshire.

Buy it

Why do we need a science that studies people after they are dead? Talking Bones: The Science of Forensic Anthropology answers this question by introducing the readers to the study of using human bones to solve crimes. This book will cover the history, technology and importance of this new science and include actual forensic cases to illustrate how forensic anthropologists collect evidence, identify a victim, determine a murder weapon, and re-enact the scene of a crime. This book is part of the Facts on File Science Sourcebooks, which aim to present the latest areas of science in simple, straightforward language that students can easily understand. Numerous carefully chosen photos and diagrams illustrate the text, helping to make the information presented accessible to young readers. This book includes a glossary, a further reading list and a complete index.

Buy it