NCJ Number
63295
Date Published
1980
Length
432 pages
Annotation
DIRECTED PRIMARILY AT STUDENTS IN COLLEGE-LEVEL CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS, THIS BOOK INTRODUCES FUTURE INVESTIGATORS TO THE BASIC PRACTICES OF THE CRIME LABORATORY AND TO PROPER EVIDENCE-HANDLING METHODS.
Abstract
AN INTRODUCTORY-LEVEL TEXT TO THE FIELD OF CRIMINALISTICS AND SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION, IT ASSUMES THAT READERS HAVE LITTLE SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUNDS. THUS, THE PRELIMINARY CHAPTERS USE SIMPLE EXPLANATIONS FOR FUNDAMENTAL TECHNICAL CONCEPTS AND DISCUSS VARIOUS TYPES OF MICROSCOPES AND ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS; I.E., MASS SPECTROMETERS, THE SPECTROGRAPH, AND X-RAY DIFFRACTION. THE BOOK MAINLY EXAMINES INDIVIDUAL TYPES OF EVIDENCE AND HOW THEY ARE HANDLED IN THE FIELD AND IN THE LABORATORY. CATEGORIES OF EVIDENCE INCLUDE GLASS, SOIL AND BOTANICAL EVIDENCE, PAINT, HAIR, FIBERS, BLOOD, BODY FLUIDS OTHER THAN BLOOD, METALS, FIREARMS, TRACKS AND IMPRESSIONS, AND TOOL MARKS. OTHER SPECIFIC TYPES OF EVIDENCE ARE FINGERPRINTS, VOICE PRINTS, EXPLOSIVES, DRUGS AND POISONS, DOCUMENT EXAMINATIONS (HANDWRITING, TYPEWRITING, FORGERY, INDENTED WRITING, INK, ALTERATIONS, AND CHARRED DOCUMENTS). THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY IN INVESTIGATIONS IS EXPLAINED (TYPES OF CAMERAS, PRINCIPLES OF PHOTOGRAPHY, AND CRIME SCIENCE PHOTOGRAPHY). THE POLYGRAPH, THE PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS EVALUATOR, AND THE LIE DETECTOR ARE DISCUSSED WITH EMPHASIS ON HOW THESE DEVICES RELY ON THE INVOLUNTARY REACTIONS OF THE HUMAN BODY TO INDICATE SIGNS OF GUILT OR INNOCENCE. FINALLY, NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN CRIMINALISTICS, INCLUDING PIONEERING WORK AND RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, ARE HIGHLIGHTED. EACH CHAPTER HAS REVIEW QUESTIONS TO AID THE STUDENT. PHOTOGRAPHS AND DIAGRAMS SUPPLEMENT THE TEXT AND A GLOSSARY, BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND AN INDEX ARE PROVIDED. (PRG)