Criminalistics: Forensic Science and Crime gives readers an in-depth overview of this hot-button topic and explores the various tasks and actions that take place in crime scenes and laboratories all across the world today. It places criminalistics within the framework of basic chemistry and biology and clearly explains processes to readers with little or no scientific background. Using a unified approach that blends science with criminal justice, this text helps readers understand the necessities and processes of forensic science in the ever-advancing world of crime investigation.

SECTION 1 Introduction to Criminatistics

CHAPTER 1

Investigating the Crime Scene

CHAPTER 2

Investigating and Processing Physical Evidence

SECTION 2 Trace Evidence

CHAPTER 3

Physical Properties: Forensic Characterization of Soil

CHAPTER 4

The Microscope and Forensic Identification of Hair and Fibers

CHAPTER 5

Forensic Analysis of Glass

SECTION 3 Pattern Evidence

CHAPTER 6

Fingerprints

CHAPTER 7

Questioned Documents

CHAPTER 8

Firearms

SECTION 4 Chemical Evidence

CHAPTER 9

Inorganic AnaLysis: Forensic Determination of Metals and Gunshot Residue

CHAPTER 10

Arson

CHAPTER 11

Druqs of Abuse

SECTION 5 Biological Evidence

CHAPTER 12

Forensic Toxicology

CHAPTER 13

Biological Fluids: Blood, Semen, Saliva, and an Introduction to DNA

CHAPTER 14

Forensic DNA Typing

SECTION 6 Terrorism

CHAPTER 15

Exptosives

CHAPTER 16

Detecting Weapons of Mass Destruction

Appendix A: Forensic Science Resources

Appendix B: Measurement and the International System of Units (SI)

Glossary

Index

Credits