1st Edition

Introduction to Forensic Science The Science of Criminalistics

By James T. Spencer Copyright 2024
774 Pages 1033 Color & 98 B/W Illustrations
by CRC Press

774 Pages 1033 Color & 98 B/W Illustrations
by CRC Press

Introduction to Forensic Science: The Science of Criminalistics is a textbook that takes a unique and holistic approach to forensic science. This book focuses on exploring the underlying scientific concepts as presented at the introductory college and senior high school levels. Chapters introduce readers to each of the important areas of forensic science, grouping chapters together by... Read more

Part 1 Introduction

1. Introduction, Historic Development, and Legal Roles of Forensic Science

2. Crime Scene Investigations

3. Science, Pseudoscience, and the Law

Part 2 Biological Evidence

4. Methods for Examining Biological Evidence

5. Forensic DNA

6. Forensic Serology

7. Anatomical Evidence: The Outside Story

8. Forensic Medicine: The Inside Story

9. Forensic Anthropology

10. Forensic Ecology

Part 3 Chemical Evidence

11. Overview of Chemical Evidence

12. Forensic Spectroscopy

13. Forensic Toxicology

14. Forensic Fire and Explosives

Part 4 Physical Properties in Evidence

15. Physical Properties: Mineralogical, Soil, Glass, and Paint Analysis

16. Firearms, Ballistics, and Impression Evidence

17. Forensic Document, Photo, Video Analysis, Voice ID and Linguistics

18. Forensic Engineering and Computer Science

Part 5 Behavioural Forensic Evidence

19. Behavioral Forensic Science

Biography

James T. Spencer is the Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Distinguished Teaching Professor, a Fellow of the Syracuse University Center of Excellence, and Founding Executive Director of the Syracuse University Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute (FNSSI) at Syracuse University (SU) in Syracuse, New York, USA. Dr. Spencer has research interests in inorganic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, materials chemistry and solid-state science, new sensor development, renewable energy systems (photovoltaic), and forensic science, and has taught various courses over the years including, most recently, on chemistry in the modern world, general chemistry, organometallic chemistry, forensic science and advanced forensic science, and scientific and career resources in forensic science. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence, the highest award for SU faculty and staff, in recognition of outstanding achievement in teaching and scholarship. Dr. Spencer holds a B.A. in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from SUNY Potsdam, and has been published widely in many professional and society journals. He has received the Chancellor's Citation for Excellence, the highest award recognition for SU faculty and staff in recognition of outstanding achievement in teaching, scholarship and creative work.