20 Best Books On Forensic Science (Jan 2023 Update)

Forensic science: the basics, fourth edition is fully updated, building on the popularity of the prior editions. the book provides a fundamental background in forensic science, criminal investigation and court testimony. it describes how various forms of evidence are collected, preserved and analyzed scientifically, and then presented in court based on the analysis of the forensic expert.the book addresses knowledge of the natural and physical sciences, including biology and chemistry, while introducing readers to the application of science to the justice system. new topics added to this edition include coverage of the formation and work of the nist organization of scientific area committees (osacs), new sections on forensic palynology (pollen), forensic taphonomy, the opioid crisis, forensic genetics and genealogy, recent covid-19 fraud schemes perpetrated by cybercriminals, and a wholly new chapter on forensic psychology.each chapter presents a set of learning objectives, a mini glossary, and acronyms. while chapter topics and coverage flow logically, each chapter can stand on its own, allowing for continuous or selected classroom reading and study.forensic science, fourth edition is an ideal introductory textbook to present forensic science principles and practices to students, including those with a basic science background without requiring prior forensic science coursework.

The successful investigation and prosecution of crimes require, in most cases, the collection, preservation, and forensic analysis of evidence. forensic analysis of evidence is often crucial to determinations of guilt or innocence.

True crime and serial killer expert david elio malocco (author of who's who serial killers, the top 100) has now updated his best-selling book on forensic science and crime scene analysis. the author is a former top criminal lawyer with dual degrees in law and psychology and diplomas in criminal profiling and forensic science. the book is essentially an introduction to forensic science and is the perfect companion for anyone interested in studying forensic science or crime scene analysis; anyone who writes about crime; lawyers, solicitors and barristers involved in criminal law; anyone involved in law enforcement or, in fact, anyone who reads crime novels or watches crime programs on television. just how accurate are crime programs like csi: new york, true detective, criminal minds and dexter? apparently, there are far removed from reality and mask the clear division of labor which exists between crime science investigators and law enforcement operatives. the book is packed full of information and is written in a very easy to read and witty style – nothing like a text book. the first part of the book deals with crime scene analysis – what happens at a crime scene, or as david elio malocco puts it – "what's supposed to happen" and covers the basics like crime scene definition, recognition and documentation. it lists exactly the sort of evidence crimes scene investigators look for at a crime scene. the second part is an introduction to forensic science. once the evidence is collected at the crime scene various procedures and tests are carried out in the laboratory to help link the evidence to the crime. it covers such diverse topics as fingerprints, firearms, ballistics, computers, autopsies, forensic pathology, poisons and forensic toxicology, the identification of decaying bodies and skeletons, cranio-facial reconstruction, serology, fraud, dna and cyber crime as well as providing a very comprehensive section on search warrants and other aspect of law and criminal evidence. this edition has been revised, updated and greatly expanded. it is now more than twice the size of the original book with extra sections on forensic photography, blood spatter analysis, trace evidence, impressions, ballistics, bomb-making, explosives, toxicology, digital evidence, search warrants, forensic computer investigation, dna testing and advances, miranda rights, police interrogation techniques, and the law relating to the admissibility of confessions. there is also a much extended glossary and complete new chapters on the admissibility of expert evidence and criminal law evidence. but, perhaps the most enjoyable chapter is the tongue in cheek one entitled committing the perfect crime which could have been called "everything you need to know about how not to get caught but were afraid to ask". the book is a classic companion for anyone interested in crime.

This new edition of forensic science: the basics provides a fundamental background in forensic science as well as criminal investigation and court testimony. it describes how various forms of data are collected, preserved, and analyzed, and also explains how expert testimony based on the analysis of forensic evidence is presented in court. the book addresses knowledge of the natural and physical sciences while introducing readers to the application of science to the justice system. each chapter begins by presenting a set of learning objectives, a mini glossary, and acronyms. the book is also structured so that each chapter can stand on its own, allowing for continuous or selected reading and study. the third edition includes: fully updated chapters to reflect current best practices three new chapters on use of detector dogs in forensic science, forensic engineering, and digital evidence and computer forensics case studies throughout that apply concepts to real-world examples the third edition of forensic science: the basics is an ideal starting point for students with a basic science background but no experience in forensic science. it reinforces basic science knowledge while presenting the foundational aspects of forensic science theory and practice.

Fundamentals of forensic science, third edition, provides current case studies that reflect the ways professional forensic scientists work, not how forensic academicians teach. the book includes the binding principles of forensic science, including the relationships between people, places, and things as demonstrated by transferred evidence, the context of those people, places, and things, and the meaningfulness of the physical evidence discovered, along with its value in the justice system. written by two of the leading experts in forensic science today, the book approaches the field from a truly unique and exciting perspective, giving readers a new understanding and appreciation for crime scenes as recent pieces of history, each with evidence that tells a story. straightforward organization that includes key terms, numerous feature boxes emphasizing online resources, historical events, and figures in forensic science compelling, actual cases are included at the start of each chapter to illustrate the principles being covered effective training, including end-of-chapter questions – paired with a clear writing style making this an invaluable resource for professors and students of forensic science over 250 vivid, color illustrations that diagram key concepts and depict evidence encountered in the field

Introduction to criminalistics covers the basics of criminalistics in a textbook for a one or two semester course, with the intention of preparing the student for a future in forensic science. the role of the criminalist is to analyze, compare, identify, and interpret physical evidence in the crime lab. these crime labs, or forensic labs, have two primary functions: identifying evidence and linking the suspect, victim, and crime scene through physical evidence. this new primer introduces the learner to the structure and organization of the crime lab and to the role of the criminalist. it features real cases – recent and historic – to illustrate concepts. colorful pedagogy clearly defines chapter elements and sets this text apart from next best. topics covered include how to process a crime scene and preserve evidence, the basic principles of firearm examination, latent fingerprints, and rudimentary toxicology, or how to determine the presence or absence of drugs and poisons. well organized and methodical, this textbook has the potential to become the standard text for applying techniques of the physical and natural sciences to examining physical evidence. uses real cases – recent and historic – to illustrate concepts colorful pedagogy clearly defines chapter elements and sets this text apart from next best presents the basics of forensic sciences in a one-semester or one-year course offers excellent preparation for professional examinations delivers the latest in laboratory technique while acknowledging the limits of technology

Discover the surprising answers in the casebook of forensic detection, a true-crime treasury of 100 of the most fascinating cases of all time. more than two centuries in the development of modern forensic procedures come to vivid life as everything from handwriting analyses and voiceprints to ballistics, dna testing, and psychological profiles reveal whodunit (and, in some startling cases, who didn't do it). "pithy, concise, and remarkably accurate." -science books & films "contains ample material to hold the attention and foster interest in science." -science teacher

The sunday times bestseller **out now: what lies buried. the sensational new book by kerry daynes** 'enthralling and terrifying. the dark side of the mind is a chilling glimpse into a world of miscreants, monsters and the misunderstood.' professor dame sue black, author of the sunday times bestseller all that remains 'a stunning, insightful, provocative piece of work. wonderfully written and full of honesty. a powerful excavation of the world of a forensic psychologist.' barbara machin, creator and writer of waking the dead 'kerry daynes delves into the minds of psychopaths in a fascinating memoir.' katya edwards, daily mail 'daynes offers fascinating insights into what makes criminals tick and how they might be more effectively treated. her book is funny, wise and thoroughly gripping.' jake kerridge, writer and critic 'grimly fascinating – a timely and gripping exploration of mental health issues in the criminal justice system from an author intimately acquainted with its dark heart.' harriet tyce, author of blood orange 'kerry daynes writes with knowledgeable insight on a side of people – and the criminal system that purports to treat them – that many would prefer to leave alone. the humour and psychological skills that have enabled her survival shine through.' jessica fellowes, author of the mitford murders welcome to the world of the forensic psychologist, where the people you meet are wildly unpredictable and often frightening. the job: to delve into the psyche of convicted men and women to try to understand what lies behind their often brutal actions. follow in the footsteps of kerry daynes, one of the most sought-after forensic psychologists in the business and consultant on major police investigations. kerry's job has taken her to the cells of maximum-security prisons, police interview rooms, the wards of secure hospitals and the witness box of the court room. her work has helped solve a cold case, convict the guilty and prevent a vicious attack. spending every moment of your life staring into the darker side of life comes with a price. kerry's frank memoir gives an unforgettable insight into the personal and professional dangers in store for a female psychologist working with some of the most disturbing men and women. if you enjoyed unnatural causes, when the dogs don't bark and prison doctor you'll love kerry's gripping account of her experience as a forensic psychologist.

There is no scientist in the world like dr. a pioneer in forensic anthropology, bass created the world's first laboratory dedicated to the study of human decomposition—three acres of land on a hillside in tennessee where human bodies are left to the elements. his research at "the body farm" has revolutionized forensic science, helping police crack cold cases and pinpoint time of death. but during a forensics career that spans half a century, bass and his work have ranged far beyond the gates of the body farm. in this riveting book, the bone sleuth explores the rise of modern forensic science, using fascinating cases from his career to take readers into the real world of c.s.i. some of bill bass's cases rely on the simplest of tools and techniques, such as reassembling—from battered torsos and a stack of severed limbs—eleven people hurled skyward by an explosion at an illegal fireworks factory. other cases hinge on sophisticated techniques bass could not have imagined when he began his career: harnessing scanning electron microscopy to detect trace elements in knife wounds; and extracting dna from a long-buried corpse, only to find that the female murder victim may have been mistakenly identified a quarter-century before.in beyond the body farm, readers will follow bass as he explores the depths of an east tennessee lake with a twenty-first-century sonar system, in a quest for an airplane that disappeared with two people on board thirty-five years ago; see bass exhume fifties pop star "the big bopper" to determine what injuries he suffered in the plane crash that killed three rock and roll legends on "the day the music died"; and join bass as he works to decipher an ancient persian death scene nearly three thousand years old. witty and engaging, bass dissects the methods used by homicide investigators every day, leading readers on an extraordinary journey into the high-tech science that it takes to crack a case.

Truly a legend in his own time, dr. lee is considered by many to be the greatest forensic scientist in the world. he gained widespread public recognition through his testimony in the televised o. j. simpson trial. since that time he has helped with the jon benet ramsey case and the investigations of mass murder in croatia. this book will take the reader through the entire investigative process of five murder cases, with dr. lee as the tour guide. j. simpson case, in which dr. lee's analysis of the blood evidence at the crime scene revealed that the los angeles police department had missed several blood drops on the back of nicole simpson, a footprint belonging to a second possible assailant, and the physical improbability of mr. simpson's climbing a fence to return to his home. the "woodchipper murder," in which an eastern airlines pilot murdered his wife and then put her body through a woodchipper in an attempt to dispose of the remains. the mathison murder, in which a veteran hawaiian police sergeant claimed to have accidentally run over his wife after she fled the family van during a dispute. the ed sherman murder, in which a college english professor attempted to disguise the time of his wife's death by turning up the air conditioning unit in their house and then using the alibi that he was away from the home sailing on the day the crime allegedly took place. the mcarthur murder, in which a police sergeant shot and killed his wife, but then tried to make it appear that she had accidentally killed herself. in each case, dr. lee presents in scientific detail how he investigated the murders, analyzed the evidence, and used techniques that played a critical role in bringing criminals to justice. he discusses how the criminalist examines blood spatter evidence and uses blood identification, dna analysis, and other forensic technologies developed in the world's best laboratories. this is a fascinating insider's look by a world-renowned expert into the pursuit of justice in some of the most grisly criminal cases of recent times.

The cbs television show, "c.s.i.: crime scene investigation," has captured audiences – and ratings – with its unflinchingly realistic details of forensic science, tools, and technology. this fascinating new book – written by an acclaimed biographer with a master's degree in forensic psychology – goes behind the crime-solving techniques dramatized on the tv show to examine the reality of these cutting-edge procedures.from dna typing and ballistics, to bitemark and blood pattern analysis, here are detailed accounts of the actual techniques used in today's crime investigations. prominent experts in the field offer rare glimpses into cases ranging from missing persons to murder.for fans of the television show, as well as true crime buffs and science readers – this is the real thing.

Forensic document examination, performed correctly, is a reliable discipline that can demonstrate the innocence of your client or the guilt of your opponent. used strategically, it can help you settle out of court. when court is necessary, your document examiner may be able to change their opinions. to achieve this, your document examiner must be proficient in the latest techniques and adept at reporting results. knowing the techniques and strategies behind this discipline is crucial to selecting a proficient examiner. this book is an in-depth guide to help attorneys and legal professionals avoid common pitfalls in using forensic document examination. it dispels misunderstandings about the work performed by an examiner and their conclusions. you will learn the types of cases document examiners investigate, how you can partner with an examiner to develop your case and what deliverables to expect.

Working as a medical examiner, dr. janis amatuzio has found that by listening and talking to loved ones of the deceased, she can offer them a sense of closure. in doing so, she has heard — and here retells — extraordinary stories of spiritual and otherworldly events surrounding the transition between life and death. as in her first book,forever ours, dr. amatuzio presents the amazing, heartfelt accounts told to her by grieving family members, patients, doctors, nurses, clergy, and police officers. along with these stories, she shares her own story — reflecting on the course of her career, the bonds she has formed over the years, the lessons she has learned, and her conclusion that "everythingtruly is all right." this powerful book honors the mystery of life and death, exploring the realms of visions, synchronicities, and communications on death's threshold. told in the voice of a compassionate scientist who sees death every day, these stories eloquently convey the patterns of truth dr. amatuzio has found in what she sees and hears.beyond knowing explores the wisdom the living might find in these accounts and shows how that wisdom changes lives.

For introductory courses in forensic science and crime scene investigation a clear introduction to the technology of the modern crime laboratory for non-scientists reveltm criminalistics: an introduction to forensic science uses clear writing, case studies, and modern technology to reveal the essence of forensic science. the text aims to make the subject of forensic science clear and comprehensible to a wide variety of readers, from future forensic scientists to those curious about the subject. the nature of physical evidence is defined, and the limitations that technology and current knowledge impose on its individualization and characterization are examined. updated throughout, the 13th edition includes new information on interpreting blood stain patterns, genotyping, and bite mark comparison. revel is pearson's newest way of delivering our respected content. fully digital and highly engaging, revel replaces the textbook and gives students everything they need for the course. informed by extensive research on how people read, think, and learn, revel is an interactive learning environment that enables students to read, practice, and study in one continuous experience – for less than the cost of a traditional textbook. this isbn is for the standalone revel access card. in addition to this access card, you will need a course invite link, provided by your instructor, to register for and use revel.

"it is a fascinating story, and makes for a thoroughly good read." —the guardian "a convincing and readable history of a science defined by the simple maxim: 'every contact leaves a trace.'" —the times silent witnesses explores the fascinating progression of forensic science over the last two centuries. in accessible and entertaining prose, former police officer nigel mccrery weaves together dramatic narrative and scientific principles to explain the major areas of forensics, including ballistics, fiber analysis, and genetic fingerprinting, with reference to the cases and experts that proved their value. readers are introduced to such fascinating figures as dr. edmond locard, the "french sherlock holmes"; edward heinrich, who is credited with having solved over 2,000 crimes; and alphonse bertillon, the french scientist whose guiding principle, "no two individuals share the same characteristics," became the core of criminal identification. landmark crime investigations examined in depth include a notorious ohio murder involving blood evidence and defended by f. lee bailey; the 1936 murder of a promising manhattan novelist that demonstrated the usefulness of the microscope in examining trace evidence; the 1849 murder of a wealthy boston socialite, businessman, and philanthropist demonstrating how difficult it is to successfully dispose of a corpse, and many others. nigel mccrery was a police officer before he joined the bbc in 1990. there he has worked on a number of documentaries and created various series, including the crime/forensics drama silent witness. he is the author of several crime novels, including still waters.

The benchmark first edition of forensic radiology, published in 1998, was a milestone in the forensic community — a bestseller throughout the world and a standard reference for practitioners and educators alike. like its predecessor, brogdon’s forensic radiology, second edition covers the entire scope of radiological applications in the forensic sciences, profiling current and anticipated uses of new modalities and techniques. features: provides an introduction to forensic radiology, including historical perspectives and definitions used in the field offers instruction on trial preparation and effective courtroom testimony demonstrates the use of forensic radiology in identification of the dead explores the use of radiology to help in gunshot and abuse cases and in nonviolent crimes contains an entirely new section on virtual imaging and virtopsy examines technological and safety issues for radiologists, forensic scientists, forensic dentists, medical examiners, investigators, and attorneys over the past twelve years, the fields of forensic science and radiology have developed considerably, necessitating a revision of this critical work. new topics in this edition include: the radiologist as an expert witness modern cross-sectional imaging in anthropology new approaches to radiology in mass casualty situations the use of virtual imaging and virtopsy — new modalities developed and advanced since the publication of the last edition forensic and clinical usage of x-rays in body packing for drug smuggling imaging in the medical examiner’s facility and in the field radiology of special objects, antiquities, and mummies

In early twentieth-century new york, poisons offered an easy path to the perfect crime. science had no place in the tammany hall-controlled coroner's office, and corruption ran rampant. however, with the appointment of chief medical examiner charles norris in 1918, the poison game changed forever. together with toxicologist alexander gettler, the duo set the justice system on fire with their trailblazing scientific detective work, triumphing over seemingly unbeatable odds to become the pioneers of forensic chemistry and the gatekeepers of justice.in 2014, pbs's american experience released a film based on the poisoner's handbook.

This best-selling text, written for the non-scientist, is appropriate for a wide variety of students, including criminal justice, law enforcement, law, and more! criminalistics: an introduction to forensic science, 11e, strives to make the technology of the modern crime laboratory clear and comprehensible to the non-scientist. the nature of physical evidence is defined, and the limitations that technology and current knowledge impose on its individualization and characterization are examined.

This robust, dynamic, and international field has grown to include interdisciplinary research, continually improving methodology, and globalization of training. reflecting the diverse nature of the science from experts who have shaped it, forensic anthropology: a comprehensive introduction second edition builds off of the success of the first edition and incorporates standard practices in addition to cutting-edge approaches in a user-friendly format, making it an ideal introductory-level text.

With contributions from a wealth of international authorities on the subject, this comprehensive handbook provides definitive coverage of legal and forensic medicine as a specialized discipline with applications in fields such as sports and military medicine. this is a comprehensive reference text that examines the current state of legal medicine, which encompasses forensic medicine, in the 21st century. it examines the scope of both legal and forensic medicine, its application and study and has adopted a wide ranging approach including multinational authorship. it reviews the differences between and similarities of forensic and legal medicine, the need for academic qualification, the applications to many and varied fields including international aid, military medicine, health law and the application of medical knowledge to both criminal law and tort/civil law, sports medicine and law, gender and age related factors from obstetrics through to geriatrics and palliative care as well as cultural differences exploring the christian/judeo approach compared with that within islamic cultures, buddhism and hinduism. the book looks at practical applications of legal medicine within various international and intercultural frameworks. this is a seminal authoritative text in legal and forensic medicine. it has a multi-author and multinational approach which crosses national boundaries. there is a great interest in the development of health law and legal medicine institutes around the world and this text comes in on the ground floor of this burgeoning discipline and provides the foundation text for many courses, both undergraduate and postgraduate. it defines the place of legal medicine as a specialized discipline.