29th July 2010
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Book list
General

Analytical Methods in Forensic Chemistry
Authors: Mat H Ho
Publisher: Ellis Horwood, 1990 - ISBN: 013037961

The purpose of this book is to gather together the hitherto scattered information on analytical methods currently available in the literature, and in doing so enables specialists (as well as non-specialists) to gain an overall impression of the present status of these methods in forensic chemistry. In this way the broad strategy of current research is also underlined, and speculation can be made as to the likely paths of future research.
The book is devoted to the analytical methodology, approaches, techniques and instrumentations for forensic toxicological applications. Well established methods and techniques which have undergone improvement, and essentially new approaches which promise to be useful, are discussed together with modern analytical instrumentations and novel analytical methods.
The contributors are all specialists in their field and who have either originated the methods described in the book or have considerable personal experience in using them, thus ensuring that the subject can be discussed in depth and remains as up-to-date as possible.

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Bodies of Evidence: the Fascinating World of Forensic Science and How it Helped Solve More than 100 True Crimes
Authors: Brian Innes
Publisher: Reader's Digest, 2000 - ISBN: 0762102950

With more than 100 true crime studies, this book is packed with case histories taken from around the world, including O.J. Simpson, Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, "The Mad Bomber" George Metesky, Tommie Lee Andrews, "The Night Stalker" Richard Ramirez, Jack Unterweger, Lee Harvey Oswald, "The Boston Strangler" Albert DeSalvo, Jeffrey MacDonald, the Lockerbie bombing, "The Unabomber" Theodore Kaczynski, and many more. This book covers many "firsts", such as the first murder conviction without a body, and the first successful use of DNA analysis to secure a conviction. This book is illustrated throughout with 200 colour and black-and-white photographs, many of them offering rare and fascinating glimpses into police files.

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Crime Investigation: Physical Evidence and the Police Laboratory
Authors: P.L. Kirk
Publisher: Wiley and Sons, 1974, 2nd edition - ISBN: 0471482471

Although old and sometimes out-of-date, this book covers a wide range of forensic techniques. Chapters include: Collection of Physical Evidence, Casts and Replicas, Fingerprints, Tracks and Trails, Photography, Microscopic Evidence, Clothing, Fibres, Ropes and Packaging Material, Hair, Blood, Other Biological Fluids, Cosmetics, Crystalline Evidence, Paint, Glass, Soil, Metals, Plastics, Poisons, Drugs, Alcohol, Tool Marks, Firearms, Vehicles, Fires, Explosions and Documents. (OUT OF PRINT)


Crime Laboratory Management
Authors: Jami J St Clair and M St Clair
Publisher: Academic Press, 2002 - ISBN: 0126640513

The author has more than 20 years of experience in forensic science and is past President of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors. Her book is the first to address the duties, responsibilities, and issues involved with managing a crime laboratory. The text combines classic management theories with practical applications to help supervisors at all levels ensure that their laboratories operate efficiently and generate trustworthy results. It covers issues such as:
- the role of the laboratory and its leadership,
- recruiting and training of staff,
- ethical considerations,
- quality,
- project management,
- public relations,
- effective communication and
- laboratory safety.

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Crime Scene: The Ultimate Guide to Forensic Science
Authors: Richard Platt
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley 2003 - ISBN: 0751345768

Forensic evidence has been revolutionised by advanced technology and “Crime Scene” enables the reader to see how it is done. Expert consultants ranging from pathologists to toxicologists discuss real-life case studies. See how specialists can detect poisons through hair samples, or estimate an assailant’s height by studying the shape of a drop of blood. Crime scene also examines crimes without a corpse, from art forgeries to computer hacking, and concludes with a history of forensic detection, include pioneering scientific discoveries. A glossary defines key forensic terms.


Crime Science: Methods of Forensic Detection
Authors: Joe Nickell & John F.Fischer
Publisher: University of Kentucky Press, 1999 - ISBN: 0813120918

Without being overly technical or treating scientific techniques superficially, this book introduces readers to the work of firearms experts, document examiners, fingerprint technicians, medical examiners, and forensic anthropologists. Each chapter closes with a study of a well-known case, revealing how the principles of forensic science work in practice. The authors are well-known investigators in the USA and they explain the science behind some of the more controversial criminal investigations that have captured the public attention. The OJ Simpson trial, the Lindbergh kidnapping, the death of Marilyn Monroe, the assassination of the Romanovs and the Atlanta child murders are all discussed in this book.

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Criminal Investigation: The Art and the Science
Authors: M. D. Lyman
Publisher: Prentice Hall, 2001, Third Edition - ISBN: 0130912883

The third edition of Criminal Investigation: The Art and the Science has undergone considerable revision. Designed as a college textbook for use in lower-division college courses, this American book is structured to provide the student with a realistic and straightforward look at today’s most modern techniques in criminal investigation. Supplemented with a comprehensive test bank and instructor’s manual for ease-of-use in the college classroom, the new third edition also includes:
- updated material on all criminal investigation techniques
- a dedicated glossary of physical evidence outlining all procedures for collection and preservation of evidence in criminal cases
- expanded sections on stalking, child abuse, computer crime and domestic violence investigations
- updated crime statistics
- specially designed ‘Case In point’ sections offering valuable and timely case studies in criminal investigation
- helpful ‘A Closer Look; boxes that showcase real-life circumstances to illustrate points in the book
- expanded glossary
- up-to-date US Supreme Court decisions
- a new, condensed 21-chapter format
- helpful instructor’s manual with test item file.

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Criminalistics. An Introduction to Forensic Science
Authors: Richard Saferstein
Publisher: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 7th edition, 2000 - ISBN: 0130138274

In this new edition the noted forensic scientist, Richard Saferstein, brings the reader into the crime lab for a firsthand look at the role of science in the criminal justice system. Through actual case histories, the reader will explore how forensic science impacted on the "crimes of the century" - the Lindbergh kidnapping and the Simpson case - as well as other noted criminal cases.

The new edition emphasises the latest DNA profiling technologies, which include STR and mitochondrial DNA. As forensic science enters the millennium, the impact of the digital revolution has led to the development of data banks for fingerprints, fired bullets, hair, paint and shoeprints. This book also looks at the new high-tech advances being made in crime scene investigation, as well as in arson and explosion investigation. A major portion of the text is devoted to how common items of physical evidence are located at crime scenes, processed in the crime lab and preserved for presentation in the courtroom. This latest edition also explores the contribution of the Internet to forensic science.

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Ethics in Forensic Science: Professional Standards for the Practice of Criminalistics
Authors: Peter D. Barnett
Publisher: CRC Press, 2001 - ISBN: 0849308607

With the complexity of the interactions among the methodology of science, the principles of justice, and the realities of the practice of law and criminalistics, critical issues frequently arise. One of the hallmarks of a profession is a code of ethics to govern the actions of members of the profession with one another, with users of the professional service, and with those who are affected by actions of the practitioner. This book examines the necessity for a code of ethics for forensic scientists, describes the fundamental features of such an ethical, illustrates ethical conflicts that arise in the course of professional practice, and gives examples of resolution of these conflicts. This volume also describes the development of alternative ethical codes that have been adopted by forensic science organisations. It explores the strengths and weaknesses of varied codes and provides concrete examples that illustrate alternative courses of action that might be taken and how different codes of ethics may require, permit or prescribe alternatives under consideration. Barnett summarises the recommendations for professional conduct among forensic scientists, their supervisors and their clients and provides appendices showing existing codes of ethics from various forensic and legal societies, with special focus on the Daubert and Kumho decisions.

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Every Contact Leaves a Trace
Authors: Dr Zakaria Erzinclioglu
Publisher: Carlton, 2001 - ISBN: 1842221922

Starting from the fundamental principle of forensics that "every contact leaves a race", Dr Zakaria Erzinclioglu presents a fascinating study of the techniques that are familiar to us from countless trials, media reports, television murder mysteries and crime reconstructions, but which until now have remained unexplained. Among the areas of forensic science the book discusses are causes of death, including poisons, knife wounds and shootings; the evidence that leads to the conviction of criminals; how identities of victims and times of death are deduced; and what really goes on in the mind of a criminal. In Every Contact Leaves a Trace the methods of the forensic scientists are revealed in fascinating and often gruesome detail to provide a complete picture of a science that involved much more than post-mortems.

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Forensic Science Handbook Volume I
Authors: Richard Saferstein
Publisher: Prentice Hall, Second Edition, 2002 - ISBN: 0130910589

This book is intended to place in one reference source authoritative, updated reviews embracing important areas of the criminalistic enterprise. The topics selected for inclusion in the Handbook are designed to provide the reader with material necessary to comprehend, evaluate and appreciate the application and interpretation of scientific tests to an array of physical evidence. Chapters are devoted to discussion of examination techniques for a wide range of evidence found in the modern crime laboratory – DNA, hair, paint, soil, glass, petroleum products, explosives, alcohol in blood and breath, and questioned documents. The expanding applications of mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis, high-performance liquid chromatography, and the visible microspectrophotometer warrant the inclusion of chapters describing their theory, operation and forensic use. The microscope’s unique role in the crime laboratory has prompted coverage of its operational theory and applications to forensic science products. A chapter describing the role and conduct of the expert witness and rules of evidence, as well as the legal requirements governing the admissibility of scientifically evaluated evidence, serves to emphasise the ties that bind forensic science to criminal law.

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Forensic Science Handbook. Volume III
Authors: Richard Saferstein
Publisher: Regents/Prentice Hall, 1993 - ISBN: 0133253902

This edition describes the theories and practices of forensic science to both practitioners and students of the subject, and updates the previous two volumes of this handbook. Three chapters are devoted to DNA, the first being an in-depth general treatment of its structure and chemistry, followed by chapters detailing two of the more widely used DNA typing techniques - RFLP and PCR. There is also a fourth on the legal issues surrounding the admissibility of evidence in USA courtrooms. A chapter on Fourier transform infrared analysis describes this technique as a "vibrant forensic science analytical tool" and is followed by one on infrared microspectrophotometry. The final chapter re-emphasises "the traditional and daily practices employed by crime laboratories for the characterisation of a wide variety of physical evidence". (OUT OF PRINT)


Forensic Science: an Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques
Authors: Stuart H. James and Jon N. Nordby
Publisher: CRC Press, 2002 - ISBN: 0849312469

This book covers a wide scope, including those disciplines that have recently become part of the forensic area, as well as classic criminalistics. With contributions from experts both in practice and academia, this book covers various applications such as nursing, medicine, psychology, engineering and accounting, in civil as well as criminal cases. It shows the breadth of modern forensic science with numerous photographs and case studies and gives a comprehensive overview of the science to students entering the field and practitioners who need to collaborate outside their disciplines.

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Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific Crime Detection
Authors: HJ Walls
Publisher: Sweet and Maxwell, 1974, Second Edition - ISBN: 421171103

This book is intended to be an introduction to forensic science. Walls has attempted to cover all areas of forensic science in the same level of detail. Chapters include: The work of the forensic science laboratory; Contact traces 1: marks, scratches and physical fits; Contact Traces 2: paint, glass and soil; Other offences against property; Road accidents; Chemistry and the physical sciences: scope and problems; Chemistry: methods; Alcohol and the driver; Toxicology and drug identification; Personal identification; Biology 1: blood and other body fluids; Biology 2: microscopy; Fires and explosions; Firearms; Documents; Photography; and The scientist in the witness box. This book has a glossary, suggestions for further reading and an index. (OUT OF PRINT)


Individualization: Principles and Procedures in Criminalistics
Authors: Harold Tuthill
Publisher: The Lightning Powder Company, 1994 - ISBN: 0962230537

The author’s aim is to present to practitioners and students of forensic science the first principles of individualisation. The book is American, although just as relevant to scientists in other countries, and is divided into two parts. The first part deals with the philosophies, principles and procedures that one must know, understand and practice to individualise physical evidence. The second part deals with the expert witness and the effective presentation of evidence. Chapters include terms and definitions; principles of comparison; scientific method; expert witness; and presenting expert testimony.


Introduction to Forensic Sciences
Authors: William G Eckert
Publisher: CRC Press, 1996 (2nd edition) - ISBN: 0849381010

This book is for students at all levels of education who are interested in forensic science. The new edition now includes the latest techniques in DNA typing and new information on clinical forensic medicine. Many of the chapters, significantly those on forensic science and the law, as well as that covering the historical background, have been completely rewritten. Subjects covered are forensic psychiatry, scientific evidence in court, legal medicine and jurisprudence, forensic pathology, toxicology, questioned documents, bloodstain pattern interpretation, DNA, odontology and forensic anthropology. Please note this is an American publication.

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Modern Scientific Evidence: the Law and Science of Expert Testimony
Authors: David L. Faigman, David H. Kaye, Michael J. Saks and Joseph Sanders
Publisher: West Group, 2002 - ISBN: 0314100296

This four-volume book is intended to introduce judges and lawyers to the rigours and details underlying scientific expert testimony by providing an entry point to a host of scientific fields that are highly relevant to the law. This book aims to provide an overview of the law into which the science must be integrated, to emphasise the methodological principles and reasoning that underlie various types of scientific evidence, and to summarise the state-of-the-art in various scientific fields. Chapters include DNA, fingerprints, handwriting, firearms, tools, bites, talker identification, fires, arson, explosives and toxicology.


More Chemistry and Crime: From Marsh Arsenic Test to DNA Profile
Authors: Samuel M. Gerber and Richard Saferstein
Publisher: American Chemical Society, 1997 - ISBN: 084123406X

Since the publication of the book ‘Chemistry and Crime’ in 1983, many advances in forensic science have occurred. This volume explains both the current and emerging forensic science technologies and examines the historical development of forensic science philosophies and practices. Included are chapters on arson analysis, forensic serology, DNA analysis and forensic toxicology.

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The Basic Guide to Forensic Awareness
Authors: Martin Gaule
Publisher: The New Police Bookshop, 2002 - ISBN: 1903639093

This book aims to provide a basic but fundamental supplement to police training. The book is divided into two sections. The first covers the types of evidence and their uses and limitations. The second section is designed to be an easy-to-use reference, describing the various evidence types and the most commonly encountered crime types. In this way, officers faced with a problem or question in relation to either an evidence type or a particular crime can refer directly to the relevant pages. The book is primarily a basic guide to forensic evidence and its value to the investigation process. It covers actions at particular crime scenes, commonly encountered evidence types and the principles of applying forensic science to crime investigation. It is hoped that this will go some way towards assisting police officers in making the right decisions at the scene of a crime and thereby enhance the quality of the evidence recovered by the Scenes of Crime Officer.


The Forensic Casebook: The Science of Crime Scene Investigation
Authors: N.E. Genge
Publisher: Ballantine Books, 2002 - ISBN: 0345452038

The Forensic Casebook draws on interviews with police personnel and forensic scientists – including animal examiners, botanists, zoologists, firearms specialists, and pathologists – to uncover the vast and detailed workings of criminal investigation. Encyclopaedic in scope, this authoritative American book leaves no aspect of forensic science untouched, covering fascinating topics such as securing a crime scene, identifying blood spatter patterns, collecting fingerprints, feet, lip and ear-prints, interpreting the stages of a body’s decay, examining hair and fibre evidence, trace evidence from firearms and explosives, obtaining DNA samples, computer crime and forensic photography. Lucidly written and spiked with real crime stories, The Forensic Casebook exposes the nitty-gritty that other books only touch upon.

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The Modern Sherlock Holmes: An Introduction to Forensic Science Today
Authors: Author: J. Williams
Publisher: Broadside/BBC, 1991 - ISBN: 0951562932

A very useful book covering all new areas of forensic science.


The Official Encyclopaedia of Scotland Yard
Authors: Martin Fido & Keith Skinner
Publisher: Virgin Books, 1999 - ISBN: 1852277122

This book covers the 170-year history of Scotland Yard since its inception by Sir Robert Peel in 1829. It profiles the activities of key parts of the organisation, including the establishment of the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory. This section begins with the opening of the Laboratory at the Hendon Police College in 1935 and details the development of forensic science over the years. When the Laboratory opened it had a staff of six; in 1996 it had 600. Today it is part of national Forensic Science Service with over 2000 staff. The chapter also mentions some of the major contributors to forensic science like Margaret Pereira, Bryan Culliford, David Ellen, Ken Creer MBE and Dr Frances Lewington MBE. Ken gained his MBE for his contribution to forensic photography and in particular the use of development of laser photography. Frances received hers for her work with forensic medical examiners and significantly for the introduction of Victim Examination Suites.

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The Scientific Investigation of Crime
Authors: Stuart S. Kind
Publisher: Forensic Science Services Ltd, 1987 - ISBN: 0951258400

Written by a former Director of the Home Office Forensic Science Central Research Establishment, this book attempts to give a coherent picture of crime investigation. The author's aim is to describe how investigators of crime can use the principles of the scientific approach. Although some of the material is now out-of-date, the principles of detective work remain the same. Chapters include: events, circumstances, pattern; data and dimensions; information and evidence; time and sequence; frame; form; types of evidence; the transfer of information; assessment, choice and priority; system design and review; personal identity; specialism and specialists; physical evidence; and case history. (OUT OF PRINT)


Traces of Guilt - Forensic Science and the Fight against Crime
Authors: Hugh Miller
Publisher: BBC Books, 1995 - ISBN: 0563369647

This book accompanied a BBC TV series, first broadcast in 1995, of the same name. It gives an examination of forensic science, which ranges from the origins of blood and fingerprint detection to today's reliance on `expert witnesses', DNA tests and the misuse and misunderstanding of forensic evidence. A few key cases, covering such crimes as serial murders, financial fraud and the international drug trade from around the world are interwoven with historical research. (OUT OF PRINT)


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