NCJ Number
76640
Date Published
1981
Length
480 pages
Annotation
This book presents the primary methods, skills, and limitations of modern crime laboratories for those with little or no background in the field.
Abstract
The text was developed for use in a one-semester course offered as part of a criminal justice program at many New Jersey colleges. It assumes no prior knowledge of forensics or related sciences, relying as little as possible on scientific terms and equations. In its broadest definition, forensic science is the application of science to law. At present, there are more than 240 public crime laboratories operating at various levels of government. Laboratory personnel apply principles and techniques of the physical and natural sciences to the analysis of evidence that is recovered during a criminal investigation. Case histories are used frequently to relate theory to practice. The text includes an introduction to the crime laboratory and chapters on the crime scene, physical evidence, the physical properties of glass and soil, and organic and inorganic analysis. Also examined are the microscope, hairs, fibers, paint, drugs, forensic toxicology, and forensic aspects of arson and explosive investigations. The work concludes with discussions of forensic serology, fingerprints, firearms, tool marks and other impressions, document and voice examination, and the future of forensic science. Reading lists, tables, a glossary, an index, photographs, and a laboratory manual are provided in the book. Three appendixes contain a guide to the collection of physical evidence, the collection of evidence for determining gunshot residues on the hands, and chromatographic and spectrophotometric parameters for figures contained within the text. (Author abstract modified)