The Handy Forensic Science Answer Book provides a fascinating look at the science of law enforcement and how even the smallest clues can yield useful information.

Table of Contents

• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
• PHOTO SOURCES
• INTRODUCTION
• INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE
• Defining Forensic Science
• Terms in Forensic Science and Law
• Disciplines within Forensic Studies
• THE HISTORY OF FORENSIC SCIENCE
• The Early Years in Forensic Science (Before 1800 B.C.E.)
• The 1800s to Early 1900s in Forensic Science
• The Late 1900s to Present in Forensic Science
• AT THE CRIME SCENE: THE CRIME SITE AND INVESTIGATION TEAMS
• The Crime Scene
• Seeking Crime Scene Evidence
• Official People at a Crime Scene
• Others at a Crime Scene
• AT THE CRIME SCENE: LOOKING FOR BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE
• What Is Evidence?
• Time of Death Evidence at the Crime Scene
• Hairs, Bloodstains, and Other Body Fluids as Evidence
• DNA as Evidence
• Nature as Biological Evidence
• AT THE CRIME SCENE: LOOKING FOR PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
• Prints from Fingers, Palms, and Bare Feet
• Tire Tracks and Shoe Prints
• Firearms Identification, Ballistics, and Toolmark Evidence
• Powder Stippling, Powder Tattooing, and Gunshot Residue (GSR)
• Glass Evidence
• Dealing with Explosives and Hazards
• Securing the Evidence
• IN THE CRIME LAB: ANALYZING A BODY
• The Crime Lab
• The Autopsy in General
• Details of an Autopsy—Body Fluids
• Details of an Autopsy—Gastric Juices and Body Organs
• Details of an Autopsy—Toxicology
• Details of an Autopsy—Contusions, Bruises, and Gunshot Wounds
• Details of an Autopsy—Bones
• Details of an Autopsy—Teeth and Dental Records
• Details of an Autopsy—Bite Marks
• Details of an Autopsy—Nails and Hair
• After the Autopsy
• IN THE CRIME LAB: ANALYZING OLDER REMAINS
• Forensic Anthropology and Archeology
• Ancient Bones
• Examining Human Remains
• Examining Older Human Skeletal Remains
• Interpreting More Remains
• Facial Recognition and Reconstruction
• IN THE CRIME LAB: TRACE EVIDENCE
• Defining Trace Evidence
• Hairs as Trace Evidence from a Crime Scene
• Fibers and Clothes
• Soils and Geology
• Plastic Bags
• Glass
• Paint and Building Materials
• Gunshot Residue on Objects
• Shoes and Tire Prints
• Other Physical Trace Evidence
• IN THE CRIME LAB: PATENT, LATENT, AND PLASTIC PRINTS
• Defining Prints
• Defining Patent, Latent, and Plastic Prints
• The Details of Fingerprints
• Details of Shoe and Tire Prints
• IN THE CRIME LAB: DNA ANALYSIS
• Defining DNA
• Obtaining DNS
• DNA Testing
• DNA Profiling and Phenotyping
• DNA Databases
• Some Cases in DNA Analysis
• IN THE CRIME LAB: TOOLMARKS, FIREARMS, AND BALLISTICS
• Defining Toolmarks
• Defining Firearms
• Examining Ammunition in the Crime Lab
• Ballistics and the Crime Scene
• Firearms and the Crime Lab
• Keeping Track of Firearms and Ammunition
• IN THE CRIME LAB: EXAMINING EXPLOSIVES
• Bombs and Explosives Defined
• Examining Explosives in the Lab
• More about Bombs and Explosives
• IN THE CRIME LAB: QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS AND CRYPTANALYSIS
• Defining Questioned Documents
• Forensic Accounting
• Analyzing Paper and Ink
• Examining Handwritten Documents
• Cryptography and Cryptanalysis
• OTHER FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS
• Digital/Computer Forensic Investigations
• Biometrics and Forensic Investigations
• Accident Scene Investigations
• Government Investigations of Transportation and Safety Issues
• Forensics and Personal Injury Investigations
• Forensics and Arson Investigations
• Food Forensic Investigations
• Forensics and Athletic Investigations
• Bioforensics and Bioterrorism
• LesserKnown Forensic Investigations
• THE CRIMINAL MIND
• Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry
• Definitions in Forensic Psychology and Psychiatry
• Interpreting the Criminal Mind
• PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
• Terms from the Court System
• Admissible Evidence
• Forensics and the Expert Witness
• CONTROVERSIES IN FORENSIC SCIENCE
• Fingerprint and “Lie Detector” Problems
• Controversies and Hair Analysis
• Bite Mark Controversies
• Controversies and DNA Analysis
• Criminal Behavioral Issues
• Other Controversies
• FAMOUS (AND NOT-SO-FAMOUS) CRIMES AND FORENSIC SCIENCE
• Looking Back: Historic Occurrences Interpreted with Modern Forensics
• Details and More Famous Crimes
• Famous Serial Killers
• Famous Bombings
• THE MEDIA AND FORENSIC SCIENCE
• Forensic Science in the Movies and on Television
• Forensic Science in Nonfiction Magazines and Journals
• Nonfiction Forensic Science Books
• Forensic Science in Fiction Books
• RESOURCES IN FORENSIC SCIENCE
• Forensic Science Websites: Information for Students
• General Interest Forensic Science Websites
• Forensic Science Websites: U.S. and International Professional Organizations
• Forensic Science Websites: U.S. Government
• Forensic Science Websites: International
• Other Forensic Websites
• Careers and Education in Forensic Science
• FURTHER READING
• GLOSSARY