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Loading... Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scienceby Richard Saferstein
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. The textbook we used for an introduction to forensic science class. The information is clearly and simply described. It includes crime scene analysis, fiber analysis, serology, forensic genetics, arson analysis, and tool mark analysis. Nothing is looked at deeply-this is an introductory book, after all. But it is a good overview. The case studies provide a chance for students to consider the field and some of the difficulties or famous cases. no reviews | add a review
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For Introduction to Forensic Science courses, this text introduces the non-scientific student to the field of forensic science through an exploration of its applications to criminal investigations, and clear explanations of the techniques, abilities and limitations of the modern crime laboratory. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)363.25Social sciences Social problems and services; associations Other social problems and services Police Services Criminal investigationLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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For people wanting to know just the general basics of what forensic scientists do, Saferstein has written a good jumping-off point. You'll want to read other books and take courses, though, if you want a proper in-depth look at the subject matter, because with some things he merely scratches the surface, and with others he suggests somewhat questionable methods.
For example, in discussing the collection of bullets at a crime scene, he suggests that the investigator put their initials either at the base of the bullet or on the nose of the bullet. While it's really not the best idea to mark such small evidence as a bullet directly, you should never - I repeat, NEVER - make any kind of mark to the nose or sides of bullets recovered at a crime scene. In doing so, you are completely destroying or at least contaminating any trace evidence that could have been recovered and analyzed microscopically. And with a bullet that has been fired, there will ALWAYS be something on the nose for the microscopist. So while Saferstein suggests initialling these items, do the trace evidence and firearms examiners back at the lab a favor and just bag it up and fill out the form. ( )