International Forensic Science and Investigation – serie

In order for forensic fibre examiners to fully utilize fibre and textile evidence during their analysis, they require not only specialised forensic knowledge but also in-depth knowledge of fibres, yarns and fabrics themselves. Production, both the chemical and physical structure, and the properties of these materials is required in order to determine the value of fibre evidence. This includes knowing production figures, fashion changes, sudden arrivals of new materials, dye variability, and numerous other factors that may have a bearing on the information obtained. Fully updated with the latest advances, Forensic Examination of Fibres, Third Edition continues in the tradition of the First (1992) and Second Editions (1999) as the premier text on the subject of forensic fibre analysis. The international team of contributing authors detail the recovery of the evidence—through the different stages of laboratory examination—to the evaluation of the meaning of findings. The coverage has been considerably expanded, and all material, has been revised and wholly updated. Topics covered include examining damaged textiles, infrared microspectroscopy and thin layer chomatography, and colour analyses. This edition also highlights the critical role of quality assurance in ensuring the reliability of the technical observations and results, and, in doing so, looks at the implications of supervisory managers and labs in the accurate and responsible analysis of such evidence.Features include: Outlining evidentiary process from collecting and preserving the evidence at the crime scene through the laboratory analysis of fibres Detailing the latest developments and emerging technologies including Kevlar and other such advances in fibre technology Coverage of a broad array of fibres both, natural (cellulose, protein, and mineral) and man-made fibres including synthetic, inorganic and regenerated Forensic Examination of Fibres, Third Edition is a much-needed update to the classic book, serving as an indispensable reference to crime scene technicians, laboratory forensic scientists and microscopists, students in police, forensic, and justice science programs.

Now in its second edition, Forensic Investigation of Explosions draws on the editor’s 30 years of explosives casework experience, including his work on task forces set up to investigate major explosives incidents. Dr. Alexander Beveridge provides a broad, multidisciplinary approach, assembling the contributions of internationally recognized experts who present the definitive reference work on the subject.Topics discussed include: The physics and chemistry of explosives and explosionsThe detection of hidden explosivesThe effect of explosions on structures and personsAircraft sabotage investigationsExplosion scene investigationsCasework managementThe role of forensic scientistsAnalysis of explosives and their residuesForensic pathology as it relates to explosivesPresentation of expert testimony With nearly 40 percent more material, this new edition contains revised chapters and several new topics, including: A profile of casework management in the UK Forensic Explosives Laboratory, one of the world’s top labs, with a discussion of their management system, training procedures, and practical approaches to problem solvingProperties and analysis of improvised explosivesAn examination of the Bali bombings and the use of mobile analytical techniques and mobile laboratoriesThe collection, analysis, and presentation of evidence in vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cases, as evidenced in attacks on US overseas targets This volume offers valuable information to all members of prevention and post-blast teams. Each chapter was written by an expert or experts in a specific field and provides well-referenced information underlying best practices that can be used in the field, laboratory, conference room, classroom, or courtroom.

Since its publication, the first edition of Fingerprints and Other Ridge Skin Impressions has become a classic in the field. This second edition is completely updated, focusing on the latest technology and techniques—including current detection procedures, applicable processing and analysis methods—all while incorporating the expansive growth of literature on the topic since the publication of the original edition.Forensic science has been challenged in recent years as a result of errors, courts and other scientists contesting verdicts, and changes of a fundamental nature related to previous claims of infallibility and absolute individualization. As such, these factors represent a fundamental change in the way training, identifying, and reporting should be conducted. This book addresses these questions with a clear viewpoint as to where the profession—and ridge skin identification in particular—must go and what efforts and research will help develop the field over the next several years.The second edition introduces several new topics, includingDiscussion of ACE-V and research results from ACE-V studiesComputerized marking systems to help examiners produce reportsNew probabilistic models and decision theories about ridge skin evidence interpretation, introducing Bayesnet toolsFundamental understanding of ridge mark detection techniques, with the introduction of new aspects such as nanotechnology, immunology and hyperspectral imagingOverview of reagent preparation and applicationChapters cover all aspects of the subject, including the formation of friction ridges on the skin, the deposition of latent marks, ridge skin mark identification, the detection and enhancement of such marks, as well the recording of fingerprint evidence. The book serves as an essential reference for practitioners working in the field of fingermark detection and identification, as well as legal and police professionals and anyone studying forensic science with a view to understanding current thoughts and challenges in dactyloscopy.

Chemical Analysis of Firearms, Ammunition, and Gunshot Residue, Second Edition continues in the tradition of the popular first edition, filling the void in forensic texts on the subject. While most books on firearms focus solely on the physical aspects of firearms, this book addresses forensic issues relating to the chemical aspects of firearms and ammunition. It draws on the latest published literature including books, scientific papers, technical reports, manufacturer’s literature, newspaper articles, and personal observations and research conducted by the author.This edition is fully updated, introducing the history and development of firearms and ammunition including advances in the chemical analysis of them. Several changes in primer compositions and the particle classification system are addressed with new techniques added on evidence collection and testing methods. Coverage details chemical aspects of forensic firearms casework with particular emphasis on the detection of gunshot residues (GSR), firearm discharge residues (FDR), and cartridge discharge residues (CDR) on a suspect’s skin and clothing surfaces. Two new chapters have been added. One deals with unusual firearms case while the other summarizes a controversial, high-profile Australian case involving inorganic and organic gunshot residue, highlighting the dangers of incorrect forensic evidence and the increased need for careful training of forensic scientists. Fully updated to reflect the latest techniques and tests for particle and chemical classification Provides a complete history of firearms and ammunition development as well as advances in the chemical analysis involved in forensic firearm casework Features a one-of-a-kind chapter on processing suspects, a crucial component in many firearms and explosives residue cases The book will serves as a useful to forensic chemists, investigators, ballistics experts, among other professionals serving in a variety of forensic disciplines.

Forensic metrology is the application of scientific measurement to the investigation and prosecution of crime. Forensic measurements are relied upon to determine breath and blood alcohol and drug concentrations, weigh seized drugs, perform accident reconstruction, and for many other applications. Forensic metrology provides a basic framework for the performance and critical evaluation of all forensic measurements. It enables forensic scientists to better develop, perform and communicate forensic measurements; lawyers to better understand, present and cross-examine the results of forensic measurements; and judges to better subject testimony and evidence based on forensic measurements to the appropriate gatekeeping analysis. Forensic Metrology Scientific Measurement and Inference for Lawyers, Judges, and Criminalists sets forth the metrological framework required to reach sound conclusions based on measured results and the inferences those results support. Armed with this knowledge, scientists and nonscientists alike can:Engage in critical analysis of forensic measurements across a broad spectrum Better understand what measured results represent Successfully prepare and present testimony and/or cases that involve such evidence Recognize poor measurement practices and prevent bad science from undermining the search for truth in the courtroom The book begins by introducing and developing metrological principles and concepts. Next, it presents advanced and mathematically rigorous principles and methods of inference in metrology. Throughout the book, scientific and legal aspects of measurements are addressed and accompanied by examples. The accompanying CD includes an in-depth Primer on Forensic Metrology and provides practice materials for legal and forensic professionals that include court decisions, legal motions, and expert reports. A basic understanding of forensic metrology will improve the practices of both legal and forensic professionals, helping to ensure the integrity of the legal system, its fact-finding functions, and the practice of justice in the courtroom.

The Daubert trilogy of U.S. Supreme Court cases has established that scientific expert testimony must be based on science grounded in empirical research. As such, greater scrutiny is being placed on questioned document examination generally, and handwriting comparison in particular. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, The Neuroscience of Handwriting: Applications in Forensic Document Examination examines the essential neuroscientific principles underlying normal and pathological hand motor control and handwriting.Topics discussed include: Fundamental principles in the neuroanatomy and neurochemistry of hand motor control and their application to research in handwritingThe epidemiology, pathophysiology, and motor characteristics of neurogenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, essential tremor, and motor neuron disease and their effects on handwritingPsychotropic medications prescribed for depression, bipolar disorder, and psychosis; their mechanisms of action; and their effect on motor behavior and handwritingThe impact of substance abuse on handwritingAn overview of the aging process and its effects on motor control and handwritingThe kinematic approach and new findings on the kinematic analyses of genuine, disguised, and forged signaturesThe authors’ laboratory research on authentic and forged signatures An essential resource for professionals and researchers in the forensic documentation examination and legal communities, this volume provides a window on the scientific process of signature and handwriting authentication, integrating the extensive research on neural processes and exploring how disease, medication, and advanced age alter these processes.

A Life of Crime: My Career in Forensic Science chronicles the career and experiences of world-renowned forensic scientist, Dr. Douglas Lucas. It is the culmination of his decades-worth of work in the field, developing innovative techniques that have revolutionized several aspects of forensic science. It is part professional reference, part career guide, part instructive reference for students wishing to entering the to enter the field, and wholly autobiographical. Dr. Lucas chronicles a number of the high-profile cases he’s worked on firsthand. This includes both the logistical problem-solving of case management—how to process and handle the evidence—in addition to the testing, analysis and processes he went through, and developed, along the way. Such cases include mass disaster plane crashes, arson, IEDs and explosives, poisonings, missing persons, and homicides, to name just a few. Dr. Lucas has encountered and seen just about everything a forensic professional can see. In addition to the in-depth discussion, development, and philosophy of forensic science as a discipline, the book also discusses the balance of personal and professional life. This is a vital, but little thought of aspect that becomes a conspicuous reality of working in the field: namely, delving into the science, and dealing with those personal emotions, work conflicts, and ethical conundrums that a professional regularly encounters. Forensic professionals, investigators, and students—regardless of background or discipline—will find this a fascinating look "behind the curtain" at one of the most decorated, innovative, and respected members of the field over the last 50 years.

Fire Investigation covers the concepts and theories used to determine a specfic fire has been deliberately or accidentally set. The author clearly explains the concepts needed to gain insight into a fire scene investigation, including the dynamics of the fire, the necessary conditions for a fire to start and be maintained, the different types of combustion fuels and subsequent burning patterns possible, and a rudimentary understanding of what happens in the analytic laboratory. It is a valuable reference for fire investigation units, scene of crime officers, private fire investigators, health and safety bodies, and students of forensic science.

A voice is much more than just a string of words. Voices, unlike fingerprints, are inherently complex. They signal a great deal of information in addition to the intended message: the speakers' sex, for example, or their emotional state, or age. Although evidence from DNA analysis grabs the headlines, DNA can't talk. It can't be recorded planning, carrying-out or confessing to a crime. It can't be so apparently directly incriminating. Perhaps it is these features that contribute to the interest and importance of Forensic Speaker Identification (FSI)

This is the ideal book for GIS users in law enforcement who want to learn more about the technology or who wish to get started using GIS in their agency. Crime analysts, teachers, and students of criminal justice will also gain valuable insights into a suite of powerful technological tools ideally suited for crime mapping and analysis from this comprehensive volume. This book features chapters on implementation, data sharing, web-based GIS and database design written by experts and practitioners from law enforcement agencies and universities. Also included is a series of chapters detailing exactly how specific law enforcement agencies are using GIS and related technologies such as GPS and remote sensing to solve crimes, deploy resources, and gauge the effectiveness of crime prevention and community oriented policing initiatives.

The examination of human hairs in the forensic science setting is a highly specialist forensic discipline. To date the topic has not been covered in a single volume in which all aspects of hair examination are brought together. In this volume an international group of authors have dealt with all aspects of the examination of human hair. The volume opens with the basic foundation accidence covering the physiology, growth and structure of hair. Forensic specific aspects of hair structure are then dealt with and a protocol for examination is presented. The remaining chapters deal with non microscopy approaches to hair examination covering historical and contemporary knowledge. These chapters include biochemical approaches to hair examination, the use of elemental analysis, the analysis of cosmetic treatments, the analysis of hairs for drugs and the use of DNA analysis. In the final chapter the value of hair examination as evidence is assessed. The book will be of value to students forensic science, to members of the legal profession and to practitioners of forensic science. Written in an open accessible style it promises to be the standard text for human hair for the foreseeable future.

Crime scene investigation involves the use and integration of scientific methods, physical evidence, and deductive reasoning in order to determine and establish the series of events surrounding a crime. The quality of the immediate crime scene response and the manner in which the crime scene is examined are critical to the success of the investigation. Evidence that is missed or corrupted by incomplete or improper handling can have a devastating effect on a case and keep justice from being served.The Practice of Crime Scene Investigation covers numerous aspects of crime scene investigation, including the latest in education and training, quality systems accreditation, quality assurance, and the application of specialist scientific disciplines to crime. The book discusses a range of basic and advanced techniques such as fingerprinting, dealing with trauma victims, photofit technology, the role of the pathologist and ballistic expert, and signal processing. It also reviews specialist crime scene examinations including clandestine laboratories, drug operations, arson, and explosives.

The Digital Age offers many far-reaching opportunities - opportunities that allow for fast global communications, efficient business transactions…and stealthily executed cyber crimes. Featuring contributions from digital forensic experts, the editor of Forensic Computer Crime Investigation presents a vital resource that outlines the latest strategies law enforcement officials can leverage against the perpetrators of cyber crimes.From describing the fundamentals of computer crimes and the scenes left in their wake to detailing how to build an effective forensic investigative force, this book is an essential guide on how to beat cyber criminals at their own game. It takes you into the minds of computer criminals, noting universal characteristics and behaviors; it discusses strategies and techniques common to successful investigations; and it reveals how to overcome challenges that may arise when securing digital forensic evidence. For those intent on making sure that no one is a potential victim, there is a chapter devoted to investigating Internet crimes against children. Additional chapters include information on strategies unique to international forensics and on that emerging wave of computer crime known as cyber terrorism.To make sure that all the angles are covered and that your investigation is carried out efficiently, effectively, and successfully, Forensic Computer Crime Investigation is an invaluable resource to have with you at all times!

The association of a suspect with the victim or crime scene through DNA evidence is one of the most powerful statements of complicity in a crime imaginable. No category of evidence has ever had the complete capacity to convict or exonerate an accused so absolutely in the eyes of the public. With the discriminatory powers of DNA and the variety of DNA markers now in regular use, the one thing keeping a third of all cases unsolved is the lack of human DNA evidence. However, the identification of polymorphic genetic loci in cats, dogs, plants, insects, bacteria, and viruses can provide the critical link between suspect and scene in the absence of human DNA.Non-Human DNA Typing: Theory and Casework Applications provides an introduction to the basic science underlying the emerging field of non-human DNA typing. It examines the use of non-human DNA evidence not just in homicide cases, but also in drug trafficking, poaching of endangered species, livestock fraud, and missing persons, as well as the identification of primary and secondary crime scenes. The book demonstrates the recognition, collection, and preservation of biological evidence at a crime scene, techniques of DNA fingerprinting, and DNA profiling. Using a wide variety of examples, applications, and case studies, the author describes the STR analysis of canine and feline samples, insects, and fungi, and their role as evidence in forensic science. Chapters consider the development of testing methods for animal evidence, soil DNA typing, and the use of DNA typing in wildlife investigations. A useful appendix includes an overview of the history of forensic serology and DNA.Combining science, case examples, legal decisions, and references, Non-Human DNA Typing: Theory and Casework Applications presents the forensic and legal applications of non-human DNA evidence for scientists, law enforcement, and attorneys.

The range of species that fall within the realm of wildlife crimes is extensive, ranging from ferns and orchids to bald eagles and great whales. Solving these crimes is rarely dependent on the testimony of witnesses or victims. An ever-increasing number of research groups are applying scientific tests to animal and plant studies alike. However, until now, whatever progress is available in this area has remained scattered through the literature.Forensic Science in Wildlife Investigations focuses on the developing test methods that can be applied to wildlife crimes. In large part, the tests described are drawn from human-based research. Edited by Adrian Linacre, a noted forensic researcher and one of the principal pioneers active in wildlife forensics, this volume collects the work of others working across the world with both plant and animal investigations. While the book contains valuable approaches that lab investigators can employ, the scientific material is written at a level that requires no more than a fundamental knowledge of biology. Any required scientific information is provided in separate boxes. Offering practical guidance, it helps investigators and lab technicians decide on best methods, including a determination of when basic microscopy is sufficient, when DNA testing should occur, and what tests or combination of tests should be executed in a particular circumstance. The text illustrates how to identify the species and geographic region of origin of an unknown sample. Demonstrating the latest methods through real-world case studies, this volume provides the direction and practical advice needed by legal and police professionals seeking to gain the evidence needed to prosecute wildlife crimes.

Many advances have been made since the publication of Drug Testing in Hair. The mid-1990s witnessed the progress in cannabis detection while the late 1990s focused on benzodiazepines detection and the applications in doping control. In more recent years, toxicologists centered on the detection in hair of a single exposure and the related applications in drug-facilitated crimes. Presenting these topics as well as the latest findings from the international community, Analytical and Practical Aspects of Drug Testing in Hair reviews all new developments, the validation of analytical procedures, and the interpretation of data.Written by well-known, international authors, this comprehensive reference provides practical coverage of the best drug testing techniques and examines the drugs themselves. Some of the applications discussed include doping, drug-facilitated crime investigating, workplace testing, and the granting of drivers' licenses. The authors describe specific drugs, such as opiates, cocaine, and cannabis, and discuss the different testing methods for them. The book also covers postmortem toxicology, pitfalls created by passive exposure, and testing for metals, including inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS), hair multielementary analysis, and the new speciation analysis.A complete, up-to-date resource that explains numerous drug testing techniques, Analytical and Practical Aspects of Drug Testing in Hair provides useful information for toxicologists, forensic scientists, sports medicine specialists, and pathologists.

Integrity and honesty are the hallmarks of science - and especially so in the case of forensic science - making the study and practice of ethics essential to the field. Ethics and the Practice of Forensic Science, Third Edition directly addresses common stressors that can induce, or lead professionals - working in forensic laboratories, law enforcement, the judicial system, and at crime scenes - to commit misconduct.While forensic scientists, investigators, and experts are intrinsically ethical by nature, the reality is that these individuals face challenges including departmental or political pressures, lack of training, and conflicting standards. The difference, however, is that the work done by forensic professionals has the ability to compromise another person’s freedom, potentially leading to arrest, incarceration, and miscarriages of justice. Police and forensic professionals confront ethical dilemmas every day, some situations that fall within clear protocols or standards and others that frequently have no definitive answers.Ethics and the Practice of Forensic Science, Third Edition includes updated information and case studies, as well as recent research findings focused on ethics in forensic science. Chapters examine investigation and police culture through the lens of professional challenges, incorporating important information about the history of wrongful convictions, and including recent developments in overturned wrongful convictions, and the work of various innocence projects. Throughout the book, case examples of bias, ethical violations, and instances of tampering with evidence present the dangers of compromising one’s ethical standards. Through such cases, the book sheds light on the problem and offers alternative courses of action - presenting examples of what to do, and what not to do, when faced with ethical decisions in gathering, handling, analyzing, and presenting evidence.

Experts in the field of bitemark evidence confront complexities ranging from the identification and collection of evidence, to microscopic analysis, to legal implications and courtroom admissibility. Now in its second edition, Bitemark Evidence reflects the knowledge, training, experience, opinions, and research of 27 authors from around the world

Statistical methods provide a logical, coherent framework in which data from experimental science can be analyzed. However, many researchers lack the statistical skills or resources that would allow them to explore their data to its full potential. Introduction to Data Analysis with R for Forensic Sciences minimizes theory and mathematics and focuses on the application and practice of statistics to provide researchers with the dexterity necessary to systematically analyze data discovered from the fruits of their research.Using traditional techniques and employing examples and tutorials with real data collected from experiments, this book presents the following critical information necessary for researchers: A refresher on basic statistics and an introduction to RConsiderations and techniques for the visual display of data through graphicsAn overview of statistical hypothesis tests and the reasoning behind themA comprehensive guide to the use of the linear model, the foundation of most statistics encounteredAn introduction to extensions to the linear model for commonly encountered scenarios, including logistic and Poisson regressionInstruction on how to plan and design experiments in a way that minimizes cost and maximizes the chances of finding differences that may existFocusing on forensic examples but useful for anyone working in a laboratory, this volume enables researchers to get the most out of their experiments by allowing them to cogently analyze the data they have collected, saving valuable time and effort.

A Life of Crime: My Career in Forensic Science chronicles the career and experiences of world-renowned forensic scientist, Dr. Douglas Lucas. It is the culmination of his decades-worth of work in the field, developing innovative techniques that have revolutionized several aspects of forensic science. It is part professional reference, part career guide, part instructive reference for students wishing to entering the to enter the field, and wholly autobiographical. Dr. Lucas chronicles a number of the high-profile cases he’s worked on firsthand. This includes both the logistical problem-solving of case management—how to process and handle the evidence—in addition to the testing, analysis and processes he went through, and developed, along the way. Such cases include mass disaster plane crashes, arson, IEDs and explosives, poisonings, missing persons, and homicides, to name just a few. Dr. Lucas has encountered and seen just about everything a forensic professional can see. In addition to the in-depth discussion, development, and philosophy of forensic science as a discipline, the book also discusses the balance of personal and professional life. This is a vital, but little thought of aspect that becomes a conspicuous reality of working in the field: namely, delving into the science, and dealing with those personal emotions, work conflicts, and ethical conundrums that a professional regularly encounters. Forensic professionals, investigators, and students—regardless of background or discipline—will find this a fascinating look "behind the curtain" at one of the most decorated, innovative, and respected members of the field over the last 50 years.

After 9/11, forensic epidemiology emerged as a leading investigative tool, partnering public health officers with law enforcement like never before. Based on the authors’ first-hand experience, Forensic Epidemiology brings to light the vast amounts of information collected by medical examiners that will be useful in advancing death investigation techniques among the forensic science, public health, and law enforcement fields. This practical resource begins with a brief overview of epidemiological science and the history of forensic epidemiology before examining the multiple functions of death certificates and the signature role of forensic epidemiologists in death investigations. Incorporating numerous illustrations and real-world examples, the book: Explains proven methods to collect, analyze, and interpret data for criminal investigationsDefines the terminology, methodology, procedures, and goals of all sectors involved for more effective collaborationExamines deaths from natural, suicidal, accidental, homicidal, and undetermined causes Describes the various decomposition states and methods used to establish positive identityThe increased frequency of criminal acts that involve deliberate biological and chemical agents underscores the need for collaboration between law enforcement investigators and public health professionals. As Forensic Epidemiology effectively demonstrates, when they work together, they can mount a powerful and successful response to threats to the American public.Dr. Steven A. Koehler was interviewed in Volume 12 of Anil Aggrawal's Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology.

Now in its second edition, Forensic Investigation of Explosions draws on the editor’s 30 years of explosives casework experience, including his work on task forces set up to investigate major explosives incidents. Dr. Alexander Beveridge provides a broad, multidisciplinary approach, assembling the contributions of internationally recognized experts who present the definitive reference work on the subject.Topics discussed include: The physics and chemistry of explosives and explosionsThe detection of hidden explosivesThe effect of explosions on structures and personsAircraft sabotage investigationsExplosion scene investigationsCasework managementThe role of forensic scientistsAnalysis of explosives and their residuesForensic pathology as it relates to explosivesPresentation of expert testimonyWith nearly 40 percent more material, this new edition contains revised chapters and several new topics, including: A profile of casework management in the UK Forensic Explosives Laboratory, one of the world’s top labs, with a discussion of their management system, training procedures, and practical approaches to problem solvingProperties and analysis of improvised explosivesAn examination of the Bali bombings and the use of mobile analytical techniques and mobile laboratoriesThe collection, analysis, and presentation of evidence in vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cases, as evidenced in attacks on US overseas targetsThis volume offers valuable information to all members of prevention and post-blast teams. Each chapter was written by an expert or experts in a specific field and provides well-referenced information underlying best practices that can be used in the field, laboratory, conference room, classroom, or courtroom.

Statistical methods provide a logical, coherent framework in which data from experimental science can be analyzed. However, many researchers lack the statistical skills or resources that would allow them to explore their data to its full potential. Introduction to Data Analysis with R for Forensic Sciences minimizes theory and mathematics and focuses on the application and practice of statistics to provide researchers with the dexterity necessary to systematically analyze data discovered from the fruits of their research.Using traditional techniques and employing examples and tutorials with real data collected from experiments, this book presents the following critical information necessary for researchers: A refresher on basic statistics and an introduction to RConsiderations and techniques for the visual display of data through graphicsAn overview of statistical hypothesis tests and the reasoning behind themA comprehensive guide to the use of the linear model, the foundation of most statistics encounteredAn introduction to extensions to the linear model for commonly encountered scenarios, including logistic and Poisson regressionInstruction on how to plan and design experiments in a way that minimizes cost and maximizes the chances of finding differences that may existFocusing on forensic examples but useful for anyone working in a laboratory, this volume enables researchers to get the most out of their experiments by allowing them to cogently analyze the data they have collected, saving valuable time and effort.

Most failure or accident investigations begin at the end of the story: after the explosion, after the fire has been extinguished, or after the collapse. In many instances, information about the last event and the starting event is known reasonably well. Information about what occurred between these endpoints, however, is often unclear, confusing, and perhaps contradictory. Scientific Method: Applications in Failure Investigation and Forensic Science explains how scientific investigative methods can best be used to determine why and how a particular event occurred.While employing examples from forensic engineering, the book uses principles and ideas applicable to most of the forensic sciences. The author examines the role of the failure investigator, describes the fundamental method for investigation, discusses the optimal way to organize evidence, and explores the four most common reasons why some investigations fail. The book provides three case studies that exemplify proper report writing, contains a special chapter profiling a criminal case by noted forensic specialist Jon J. Nordby, and offers a reading list of resources for further study.Concise and illustrative, this volume demonstrates how the scientific method can be applied to failure investigation in ways that avoid flawed reasoning while delivering convincing reconstruction scenarios. Investigators can pinpoint where things went wrong, providing valuable information that can prevent another catastrophe.

Experts in the field of bitemark evidence confront complexities ranging from the identification and collection of evidence, to microscopic analysis, to legal implications and courtroom admissibility. Now in its second edition, Bitemark Evidence reflects the knowledge, training, experience, opinions, and research of 27 authors from around the world

Forensic metrology is the application of scientific measurement to the investigation and prosecution of crime. Forensic measurements are relied upon to determine breath and blood alcohol and drug concentrations, weigh seized drugs, perform accident reconstruction, and for many other applications. Forensic metrology provides a basic framework for the performance and critical evaluation of all forensic measurements. It enables forensic scientists to better develop, perform and communicate forensic measurements; lawyers to better understand, present and cross-examine the results of forensic measurements; and judges to better subject testimony and evidence based on forensic measurements to the appropriate gatekeeping analysis. Forensic Metrology Scientific Measurement and Inference for Lawyers, Judges, and Criminalists sets forth the metrological framework required to reach sound conclusions based on measured results and the inferences those results support. Armed with this knowledge, scientists and nonscientists alike can: Engage in critical analysis of forensic measurements across a broad spectrum Better understand what measured results represent Successfully prepare and present testimony and/or cases that involve such evidence Recognize poor measurement practices and prevent bad science from undermining the search for truth in the courtroomThe book begins by introducing and developing metrological principles and concepts. Next, it presents advanced and mathematically rigorous principles and methods of inference in metrology. Throughout the book, scientific and legal aspects of measurements are addressed and accompanied by examples. The accompanying CD includes an in-depth Primer on Forensic Metrology and provides practice materials for legal and forensic professionals that include court decisions, legal motions, and expert reports. A basic understanding of forensic metrology will improve the practices of both legal and forensic professionals, helping to ensure the integrity of the legal system, its fact-finding functions, and the practice of justice in the courtroom.

In order for forensic fibre examiners to fully utilize fibre and textile evidence during their analysis, they require not only specialised forensic knowledge but also in-depth knowledge of fibres, yarns and fabrics themselves. Production, both the chemical and physical structure, and the properties of these materials is required in order to determine the value of fibre evidence. This includes knowing production figures, fashion changes, sudden arrivals of new materials, dye variability, and numerous other factors that may have a bearing on the information obtained. Fully updated with the latest advances, Forensic Examination of Fibres, Third Edition continues in the tradition of the First (1992) and Second Editions (1999) as the premier text on the subject of forensic fibre analysis. The international team of contributing authors detail the recovery of the evidence—through the different stages of laboratory examination—to the evaluation of the meaning of findings. The coverage has been considerably expanded, and all material, has been revised and wholly updated. Topics covered include examining damaged textiles, infrared microspectroscopy and thin layer chomatography, and colour analyses. This edition also highlights the critical role of quality assurance in ensuring the reliability of the technical observations and results, and, in doing so, looks at the implications of supervisory managers and labs in the accurate and responsible analysis of such evidence.Features include: Outlining evidentiary process from collecting and preserving the evidence at the crime scene through the laboratory analysis of fibres Detailing the latest developments and emerging technologies including Kevlar and other such advances in fibre technology Coverage of a broad array of fibres both, natural (cellulose, protein, and mineral) and man-made fibres including synthetic, inorganic and regenerated Forensic Examination of Fibres, Third Edition is a much-needed update to the classic book, serving as an indispensable reference to crime scene technicians, laboratory forensic scientists and microscopists, students in police, forensic, and justice science programs.

The Daubert trilogy of U.S. Supreme Court cases has established that scientific expert testimony must be based on science grounded in empirical research. As such, greater scrutiny is being placed on questioned document examination generally, and handwriting comparison in particular. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, The Neuroscience of Handwriting: Applications in Forensic Document Examination examines the essential neuroscientific principles underlying normal and pathological hand motor control and handwriting.Topics discussed include: Fundamental principles in the neuroanatomy and neurochemistry of hand motor control and their application to research in handwritingThe epidemiology, pathophysiology, and motor characteristics of neurogenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, essential tremor, and motor neuron disease and their effects on handwritingPsychotropic medications prescribed for depression, bipolar disorder, and psychosis; their mechanisms of action; and their effect on motor behavior and handwritingThe impact of substance abuse on handwritingAn overview of the aging process and its effects on motor control and handwritingThe kinematic approach and new findings on the kinematic analyses of genuine, disguised, and forged signaturesThe authors’ laboratory research on authentic and forged signaturesAn essential resource for professionals and researchers in the forensic documentation examination and legal communities, this volume provides a window on the scientific process of signature and handwriting authentication, integrating the extensive research on neural processes and exploring how disease, medication, and advanced age alter these processes.

Since its publication, the first edition of Fingerprints and Other Ridge Skin Impressions has become a classic in the field. This second edition is completely updated, focusing on the latest technology and techniques—including current detection procedures, applicable processing and analysis methods—all while incorporating the expansive growth of literature on the topic since the publication of the original edition.Forensic science has been challenged in recent years as a result of errors, courts and other scientists contesting verdicts, and changes of a fundamental nature related to previous claims of infallibility and absolute individualization. As such, these factors represent a fundamental change in the way training, identifying, and reporting should be conducted. This book addresses these questions with a clear viewpoint as to where the profession—and ridge skin identification in particular—must go and what efforts and research will help develop the field over the next several years.The second edition introduces several new topics, includingDiscussion of ACE-V and research results from ACE-V studiesComputerized marking systems to help examiners produce reportsNew probabilistic models and decision theories about ridge skin evidence interpretation, introducing Bayesnet toolsFundamental understanding of ridge mark detection techniques, with the introduction of new aspects such as nanotechnology, immunology and hyperspectral imagingOverview of reagent preparation and applicationChapters cover all aspects of the subject, including the formation of friction ridges on the skin, the deposition of latent marks, ridge skin mark identification, the detection and enhancement of such marks, as well the recording of fingerprint evidence. The book serves as an essential reference for practitioners working in the field of fingermark detection and identification, as well as legal and police professionals and anyone studying forensic science with a view to understanding current thoughts and challenges in dactyloscopy.