The Forensic Laboratory Handbook Procedures and Practice

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xii

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2. Forensic Laboratory Accreditation

   • Anja Einseln

   Pages 1-14

3. Forensic Biology: Serology and DNA

   • Lisa Gefrides, Katie Welch

   Pages 15-50

4. Forensic Chemistry/Controlled Substances

   • Donnell Christian

   Pages 51-103

5. Crime Reconstruction and Evidence Dynamics

   • W. Jerry Chisum

   Pages 105-122

6. Explosives and Arson

   • James B. Crippin

   Pages 123-144

7. Fingerprints

   • Carmine J. Artone

   Pages 145-180

8. Legal Issues Concerning Expert Evidence and Testimony

   • Carol Henderson, Kurt W. Lenz

   Pages 181-212

9. Digital Evidence

   • Mark Pollitt, Robert Bianchi

   Pages 213-226

10. Firearms and Toolmarks

    • Edward E. Hueske

    Pages 227-264

11. Forensic Odontology: Teeth and Their Secrets

    • Helena Soomer Lincoln

    Pages 265-281

12. Forensic Pathology and the Investigation of Death

    • Elizabeth A. Laposata

    Pages 283-333

13. Quality in the Forensic Science Laboratory

    • William J. Tilstone

    Pages 335-367

14. Forensic Document Examination

    • William L. Leaver

    Pages 369-383

15. Toxicology in the Forensic Lab

    • Ashraf Mozayani

    Pages 385-402

16. Trace Evidence

    • William M. Davis

    Pages 403-416

17. LIMS: Laboratory Information Management Systems

    • Simon Key

    Pages 417-445

18. Forensic Entomology

    • M. Lee Goff

    Pages 447-478

19. Forensic Facility Plan and Design Guidelines

    • Kenneth C. Mohr, Louis Hartman

    Pages 479-508

20. Introduction to Forensic Anthropology

    • Jennifer C. Love, Michelle D. Hamilton

    Pages 509-537

Forensic science has come a long way in the past ten years. It is much more in-depth and much broader in scope, and the information gleaned from any evidence yields so much more information than it had in the past because of incredible advances in analytic instruments and crucial procedures at both the crime scene and in the lab. Many practices have gone digital, a concept not even fathomed ten years ago. And from the first collection of evidence to its lab analysis and interpretation to its final presentation in court, ethics has become an overriding guiding principle. That’s why this new edition of this classic handbook is indispensable. The Forensic Laboratory Handbook Procedures and Practice includes thirteen new chapters written by real-life practitioners who are experts in the field. It covers the tried and true topics of fingerprints, trace evidence, chemistry, biology, explosives and arson, forensic anthropology, forensic pathology, forensic documents, firearms and toolmarks. This text also addresses an array of new topics including accreditation, certification, ethics, and how insects and bugs can assist in determining many facts including a margin of time of death. In the attempt to offer a complete and comprehensive analysis The Forensic Laboratory Handbook Procedures and Practice also includes a chapter discussing the design of a laboratory. In addition, each chapter contains educational requirements needed for the discipline it covers. Complete with questions at the end of each chapter, brief author bios and real crime scene photos, this text has risen to greet the many new challenges and issues that face today’s forensic crime practitioners.

• Evidence
• Forensic Pathology
• Forensics
• Toxicology
• forensic science laboratory

From the reviews of the second edition:

“The 21 chapters cover the major areas of a forensic laboratory and carry the additional theme of accreditation throughout the text. … This handbook is highly recommended for not only forensic laboratories but also for crime scene investigation units (sworn and civilian), officers, detectives, and police administrators who are responsible for evidence collection and processing. … I would recommend this textbook for consideration in classes involving undergraduate forensic science, criminal investigation, and forensic laboratory management.” (Kenneth B. Zercie, Sr., Journal of Forensic Identification, Vol. 63 (5), September-October, 2013)

• Harris County Medical Examiner's Office, Houston, USA

  Ashraf Mozayani

• Aiken, USA

  Carla Noziglia

Policies and ethics