Product Description

Put on your lab coat and step inside the laboratories of the world's leading forensics scientists. The Forensics Handbook is your first day primer, the most up-to-date log of forensic techniques available. - Discover how the crime scene is examined using examples of some of the most baffling crimes. - Learn techniques of lifting, comparing, identifying and preserving latent prints. - Calculate how to examine blood splatter patterns to determine the position of a victim and assailant. - Know what to look for when examining explosive deposits, especially when terrorist activity is suspected. - Learn how the Internet is used to trace stalkers. 19 case studies including: - The Columbine High School shooting - OJ Simson trial - Ian Huntley trial The Forensics Handbook covers everything you need to become an investigative expert.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #136684 in Books
• Published on: 2004-10-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

About the Author
For the past decade, Pete has acted as a translator; making 'academish' intelligible to people who only speak English. He relishes opportunities to unravel complex science and present it in ways that are accessible without watering down key concepts. His work has been seen in publications ranging from Zest and Practical Parenting to The Guardian, New Scientist, The Lancet, The Journal of Biology and BioMedNet. Since 1996 Pete has had nine books published and received seven national awards for his work. He has been interviewed on radio and television on at least 50 different occasions discussing his books or news events that relate to them. Pete Moore combines a thorough grounding in biological science with a strong track record in science communication. His academic career was kicked off with a degree in the Physiology and Biochemistry of Farm Animals, and was quickly followed by a PhD in fetal development. Both degrees were awarded from the University of Reading. After five years post-doctoral research in Reading, Auckland and University College London he stepped sideways from the research bench and became a freelance science writer in 1993. Pete is Chairman of the Medical Journalists' Association, and a member of the Physiological Society, the Association of British Science Writers and the Society of Authors.

Excerpted from The Forensics Handbook by Pete Moore. Copyright © 2004. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
SECURING A CRIME SCENE
Securing the physical scene is an important part of the first responder’s role. As much as possible s/he should keep an eye on any exits and entrances, and note people and vehicles that have been coming and going, along with a record of the times. This information will be invaluable to the investigating team. The first responder now needs to secure the scene to avoid the deliberate or unintentional interference with physical items.

1. If the scene is out of doors, the first responder may lay a cloth or waterproof sheet carefully over evidence if it looks liable to damage.

2. Press and non-involved law-enforcement folk are kept out, because the more people who enter the area, the greater the likelihood of contaminating the scene and destroying evidence. Also, if media reports contain too much detail of the incident, they could jeopardize any future trial. It may be that the crime scene is so open to view that police need to erect barriers such as tents to block off sight lines.

3. There is probably a fairly well-defined primary site, but there may also be secondary sites. The first responder must identify a route in and out of these zones to avoid the crime sites, and as other support personnel arrive, show them where to walk. This minimizes the chance of ruining evidence. Records are kept of everyone who arrives at, or leaves, the site.

4. Any unusual smells or strange sounds are noted. If the crime scene is in a room, it may be that someone recently there had a powerful body odor or was wearing a particular fragrance. The smell could easily have vanished by the time the rest of the team arrive, so the first responder may be the only one who has a chance of picking it up.

5. The first responder makes sure that the area is enclosed, ensuring all entrances and exits are covered. Colleagues start to take some of the load now, but these new arrivals can also contaminate the area. Visitors to the
site must wear protective overalls to avoid cross-conntamination.

Customer Reviews

Useful reference, but no more
"The Forensics Handbook covers everything you need to become an investigative expert," the description says. It might more accurately be rephrased as "the Forensics Handbook covers most of what you need to understand roughly what the investigative experts on TV are doing".

This is a fairly good reference, a good orientation prior to a more in-depth study of the field. But this is not a handbook, nor a manual; reading this won't make you a SOCO, nor will it teach you how to investigate crime scenes. It's less of a "how-to-do" and more of a "what-you-can-do".

Not for academics!
I bought this book thinking it may be of SOME use but, no it is for people who have no clue as to what forensics is all about! very very basic stuff, looks like it was wrote in one night! have given to the kids so is of use to a basic level.