Every action performed by a crime scene investigator has an underlying purpose: to both recover evidence and capture scene context. It is imperative that crime scene investigators must understand their mandate--not only as an essential function of their job but because they have the immense responsibility and duty to do so.

Practice Crime Scene Processing and Investigation, Third Edition provides the essential tools for what crime scene investigators need to know, what they need to do, and how to do it. As professionals, any investigator's master is the truth and only the truth. Professional ethics demands an absolute adherence to this mandate. When investigators can effectively seek, collect, and preserve information and evidence from the crime scene to the justice system--doing so without any agenda beyond seeking the truth-- not only are they carrying out the essential function and duty of their job, it also increases the likelihood that the ultimate goal of true justice will be served.

Richly illustrated--with more than 415 figures, including over 300 color photographs--the Third Edition of this best-seller thoroughly addresses the role of the crime scene investigator in the context of:

• Understanding the nature of physical evidence, including fingerprint, biological, trace, hair and fiber, impression, and other forms of evidence
• Assessing the scene, including search considerations and dealing with chemical and bioterror hazards
• Crime scene photography; scene sketching, mapping, and documentation; and the role of crime scene analysis and reconstruction
• Bloodstain pattern analysis and discussion of the body as a crime scene
• Special scene considerations, including fire, buried bodies, and entomological evidence

Coverage details the importance of maintaining objectivity, emphasizing that every action the crime scene investigator performs has an underlying purpose: to both recover evidence and capture scene context.

Key features:

• Outlines the responsibilities of the responding officer, from documenting and securing the initial information to providing emergency care
• Includes three new chapters on light technology and crime scene processing techniques, recovering fingerprints, and castings
• Addresses emerging technology and new techniques in 3-D Laser scanning procedures in capturing a scene
• Provides a list of review questions at the end of each chapter

Practice Crime Scene Processing and Investigation, Third Edition includes practical, proven methods to be used at any crime scene to ensure that evidence is preserved, admissible in court, and persuasive.

Course ancillaries including PowerPoint(R) lecture slides and a Test Bank are available with qualified course adoption.

Every action performed by a crime scene investigator has an underlying purpose: to both recover evidence and capture scene context. It is imperative that crime scene investigators must understand their mandate--not only as an essential function of their job but because they have the immense responsibility and duty to do so.

Practice Crime Scene Processing and Investigation, Third Edition provides the essential tools for what crime scene investigators need to know, what they need to do, and how to do it. As professionals, any investigator's master is the truth and only the truth. Professional ethics demands an absolute adherence to this mandate. When investigators can effectively seek, collect, and preserve information and evidence from the crime scene to the justice system--doing so without any agenda beyond seeking the truth-- not only are they carrying out the essential function and duty of their job, it also increases the likelihood that the ultimate goal of true justice will be served.

Richly illustrated--with more than 415 figures, including over 300 color photographs--the Third Edition of this best-seller thoroughly addresses the role of the crime scene investigator in the context of:

• Understanding the nature of physical evidence, including fingerprint, biological, trace, hair and fiber, impression, and other forms of evidence
• Assessing the scene, including search considerations and dealing with chemical and bioterror hazards
• Crime scene photography; scene sketching, mapping, and documentation; and the role of crime scene analysis and reconstruction
• Bloodstain pattern analysis and discussion of the body as a crime scene
• Special scene considerations, including fire, buried bodies, and entomological evidence

Coverage details the importance of maintaining objectivity, emphasizing that every action the crime scene investigator performs has an underlying purpose: to both recover evidence and capture scene context.

Key features:

• Outlines the responsibilities of the responding officer, from documenting and securing the initial information to providing emergency care
• Includes three new chapters on light technology and crime scene processing techniques, recovering fingerprints, and castings
• Addresses emerging technology and new techniques in 3-D Laser scanning procedures in capturing a scene
• Provides a list of review questions at the end of each chapter

Practice Crime Scene Processing and Investigation, Third Edition includes practical, proven methods to be used at any crime scene to ensure that evidence is preserved, admissible in court, and persuasive.

Course ancillaries including PowerPoint(R) lecture slides and a Test Bank are available with qualified course adoption.

Crime scene reconstruction (CSR) is today's hot topic. The immense proliferation of television, print, and electronic media directed at this area has generated significant public interest, albeit occasionally encouraging inaccurate perceptions. Practical Crime Scene Analysis and Reconstruction bridges the gap between perception and reality, helping readers understand the nature of the scientific method and teaching the proper application of its components.

A proven methodology

The book begins by recounting the history of crime scene analysis and exploring fundamental principles. Then the authors introduce their proven methodology, known as Event Analysis. This technique defines specific actions, discusses the order of those actions, and offers significant insight into determining what did or did not happen in the course of the incident under investigation. Using case studies and more than 200 color photos, the book demonstrates this method and how it can be used to explain clues that would otherwise be puzzling or ambiguous.

Practical advice from the crime scene to the courtroom

The authors show how to resolve significant questions that arise in the course of CSR through the use of an event analysis worksheet. The book also discusses crime scene protocol, bloodstain pattern analysis, gunshot investigation, and forensic pathology and the human body. The final chapters provide instruction on writing crime scene reports, discuss ethical issues, and give advice on courtroom presentation.

Includes color photos demonstrating the science of CSR on:

• Superposition
• Timing and sequence
• Bloodstain analysis
• Ballistics
• Wound patterns

Crime scene reconstruction (CSR) is today's hot topic. The immense proliferation of television, print, and electronic media directed at this area has generated significant public interest, albeit occasionally encouraging inaccurate perceptions. Practical Crime Scene Analysis and Reconstruction bridges the gap between perception and reality, helping readers understand the nature of the scientific method and teaching the proper application of its components.

A proven methodology

The book begins by recounting the history of crime scene analysis and exploring fundamental principles. Then the authors introduce their proven methodology, known as Event Analysis. This technique defines specific actions, discusses the order of those actions, and offers significant insight into determining what did or did not happen in the course of the incident under investigation. Using case studies and more than 200 color photos, the book demonstrates this method and how it can be used to explain clues that would otherwise be puzzling or ambiguous.

Practical advice from the crime scene to the courtroom

The authors show how to resolve significant questions that arise in the course of CSR through the use of an event analysis worksheet. The book also discusses crime scene protocol, bloodstain pattern analysis, gunshot investigation, and forensic pathology and the human body. The final chapters provide instruction on writing crime scene reports, discuss ethical issues, and give advice on courtroom presentation.

Includes color photos demonstrating the science of CSR on:

• Superposition
• Timing and sequence
• Bloodstain analysis
• Ballistics
• Wound patterns