Criminalistics : an introduction to forensic science / Richard Saferstein, Ph. D., Forensic Science Consultant, Mt. Laurel, New Jersey.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Machine generated contents note: ch. 1 Introduction -- Definition and Scope of Forensic Science -- History and Development of Forensic Science -- Crime Laboratories -- Organization of a Crime Laboratory -- Case Files -- Forensic Science Helps Unravel the Mystery of the Anthrax Letters -- Functions of the Forensic Scientist -- Case Files -- Dr. Coppolino's Deadly House Calls -- Other Forensic Science Services -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 2 The Crime Scene -- Processing the Crime Scene -- Collecting and Packaging Physical Evidence -- Maintaining the Chain of Custody -- Ensuring Crime-Scene Safety -- Legal Considerations at the Crime Scene -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- Case Analysis -- Case Study -- The Enrique Camarena Case: A Forensic Nightmare -- ch. 3 Physical Evidence -- Common Types of Physical Evidence.

Note continued: The Significance of Physical Evidence -- Forensic Databases -- Case Files -- Gerald Wallace -- Case Files -- The Center City Rapist -- Case Files -- NIB IN Links Handgun to Suspects -- Case Files -- Aztec Gold Metallic Hit and Run -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 4 Crime-Scene Reconstruction: Bloodstain Pattern Analysis -- Crime-Scene Reconstruction -- General Features of Bloodstain Formation -- Case File -- Pistorius: A Valentine's Day Murder -- Impact Bloodstain Spatter Patterns -- Classifying Impact Spatter -- Origin of Impact Patterns -- More Bloodstain Spatter Patterns -- Case Files -- Blood-Spatter Evidence -- Documenting Bloodstain Pattern Evidence -- Case Files -- Bloodstain Reconstruction -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 5 Death Investigation -- Role of the Forensic Pathologist -- The Autopsy.

Note continued: Cause of Death -- Case Files -- Harold Shipman, Dr. Death -- Manner of Death -- Case Files -- The Sheridans: Murder or Suicide -- Estimating Time of Death -- Role of the Forensic Anthropologist -- Case Files -- Identifying a Serial Killer's Victims -- Role of the Forensic Entomologist -- Case Files -- The Danielle Van Dam Murder Case -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 6 Fingerprints -- History of Fingerprinting -- Fundamental Principles of Fingerprints -- Classification of Fingerprints -- Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems -- Methods of Detecting Fingerprints -- Case Files -- The Night Stalker -- Case Files -- The Mayfield Affair -- Preservation of Developed Prints -- Digital Imaging for Fingerprint Enhancement -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 7 Forensic Biometrics -- Introduction to Biometrics.

Note continued: Enrolling and Extracting Biometric Data -- The Iris -- Facial Recognition -- Case Files -- Living a Double Life -- The Next Generation Identification System -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 8 The Microscope -- Basics of the Microscope -- The Compound Microscope -- The Comparison Microscope -- The Stereoscopic Microscope -- The Polarizing Microscope -- The Microspectrophotometer -- The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) -- Forensic Palynology: Pollen and Spores as Evidence -- Case Files -- Clues from the Cornfield -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 9 Firearms, Tool Marks, and Other Impressions -- Types of Firearms -- Bullet and Cartridge Comparisons -- Automated Firearms Search Systems -- Case Files -- Sacco and Vanzetti -- Gunpowder Residues -- Primer Residues on the Hands -- Serial Number Restoration.

Note continued: Collection and Preservation of Firearms Evidence -- Tool Marks -- Other Impressions -- Case Files -- The O.J. Simpson Trial -- Who Left the Impressions at the Crime Scene? -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 10 Matter, Light, and Glass Examination -- The Nature of Matter -- Physical Properties of Matter -- Theory of Light -- Forensic Analysis of Glass -- Glass Fractures -- Collection and Preservation of Glass Evidence -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Review Questions for Inside the Science -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 11 Hairs and Fibers -- Forensic Examination of Hair -- Morphology of Hair -- Identification and Comparison of Hair -- Case Files -- The Central Park Jogger Case Revisited -- Collection and Preservation of Hair Evidence -- Forensic Examination of Fibers -- Case Files -- The Ennis Cosby Homicide.

Note continued: Identification and Comparison of Manufactured Fibers -- Case Files -- Fatal Vision Revisited -- Collection and Preservation of Fiber Evidence -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Review Questions for Inside the Science -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 12 Drugs -- Drug Dependence -- Types of Drugs -- Drug-Control Laws -- Collection and Preservation of Drug Evidence -- Forensic Drug Analysis -- Chromatography -- Spectrophotometry -- Mass Spectrometry -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Review Questions for Inside the Science -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 13 Forensic Toxicology -- Role of Forensic Toxicology -- Toxicology of Alcohol -- Testing for Intoxication -- Field Sobriety Testing -- Analysis of Blood for Alcohol -- Alcohol and the Law -- The Role of the Toxicologist -- Case Files -- Michael Jackson: The Demise of a Superstar -- Case Files.

Note continued: Accidental Overdose: The Tragedy of Anna Nicole Smith -- Case Files -- Joann Curley: Caught by a Hair -- The Drug Recognition Expert -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Review Questions for Inside the Science -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 14 Metals, Paint, and Soil -- Forensic Analysis of Trace Elements -- Case Files -- Death by Radiation Poisoning -- Forensic Examination of Paint -- Case Files -- The Predator -- Forensic Analysis of Soil -- Case Files -- Soil: The Silent Witness -- Collection and Preservation of Soil Evidence -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Review Questions for Inside the Science -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 15 Forensic Serology -- The Nature of Blood -- Blood Typing -- Immunoassay Techniques -- Forensic Characterization of Bloodstains -- Principles of Heredity -- Forensic Characterization of Semen -- Collection and Preservation of Rape Evidence.

Note continued: Case Files -- A DNA Bonus -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Review Questions for Inside the Science -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 16 DNA: The Indispensable Forensic Science Tool -- What Is DNA? -- DNA at Work -- Replication of DNA -- DNA Typing with Short Tandem Repeats -- Case Files -- Reopening the Boston Strangler Case -- The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) -- Mitochondrial DNA -- Case Files -- Cold Case Hit -- Collection and Preservation of Biological Evidence for DNA Analysis -- Case Files -- Contact Lens Evidence -- Case Files -- The JonBenet Ramsey Murder Case -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Review Questions for Inside the Science -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 17 Forensic Aspects of Fire and Explosion Investigation -- Forensic Investigation of Arson -- The Chemistry of Fire -- Searching the Fire Scene -- Case Files -- The Sackett Street Fire.

Note continued: Collection and Preservation of Arson Evidence -- Analysis of Flammable Residues -- Explosions and Explosives -- Types of Explosives -- Collection and Analysis of Evidence of Explosives -- Case Files -- Liquid Explosives -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Review Questions for Inside the Science -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 18 Document Examination -- Document Examiner -- Handwriting Comparisons -- Collection of Handwriting Exemplars -- Typescript Comparisons -- Alterations, Erasures, and Obliterations -- Other Document Problems -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 19 Computer Forensics -- From Input to Output: How Does the Computer Work? -- Storing and Retrieving Data -- Processing the Electronic Crime Scene -- Analysis of Electronic Data -- Forensic Analysis of Internet Data -- Forensic Investigation of Internet Communications -- Hacking.

Note continued: Mobile Forensics -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- ch. 20 Mobile Device Forensics -- The Mobile Device Neighborhood: What Makes a Mobile Device "Mobile"? -- Forensic Challenges: Mobile Devices as Small Computers -- Sort of -- Extracting Useful Data: The Differences in Various Types of Mobile Devices -- Mobile Device Architecture: What Is Inside the Device and What Is it Used For? -- Analyzing Mobile Devices: Finding Forensically Valuable Artifacts -- Case Files -- The FBI v. Apple: The Encryption Dispute -- Hybrid Crime Assessment: Fitting the Mobile Device into the Digital Forensic Investigation -- Chapter Summary -- Review Questions -- Application and Critical Thinking -- Further References -- Appendixes -- I. Code of Professional Responsibility for the Practice of Forensic Science -- II. Handbook of Forensic Services -- FBI -- III. Instructions for Collecting Gunshot Residue (GSR).

Note continued: IV. Chemical Formulas for Latent Fingerprint Development -- V. Chemical Formulas for Development of Footwear Impressions in Blood.

Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, Twelfth Edition, uses clear writing, case stories, and modern technology to capture the pulse and fervor of forensic science investigations. Written for readers with no scientific background, only the most relevant scientific and technological concepts are presented. The nature of physical evidence is defined, and the limitations that technology and current knowledge impose on its individualization and characterization are examined. A major portion of the text centers on discussions of the common items of physical evidence encountered at crime scenes. Particular attention is paid to the meaning and role of probability in interpreting the evidential significance of scientifically evaluated evidence.