This book provides an overview of Asphyxial Deaths which includes hanging, strangulation, choking, smothering, gagging, drowning, aspiration, mechanical and chemical asphyxiants, etc. Postmortem examination often leads to doubts as a clear distinction between the different type of asphyxia cannot be made easily. Forensic and physiological aspects are discussed with the help of illustrative cases. The author discusses the different aspects of asphyxia deaths and substantiates multiple case studies to establish a scientific approach that can act as a guideline to the autopsy surgeon in providing a precise opinion and clarify doubts for the judiciary involved in such criminal justice cases. Key Features * Presents individual case studies of Asphyxial deaths. * Covers the guidelines to be followed by the autopsy surgeons in different cases. * Discusses the physiological aspects of Asphyxial deaths in detail. * Illustrates the cases in a stepwise manner with more than 350 colored photographs of postmortem examination.

Crime statistics are ubiquitous in modern society - but how accurate are they? This book investigates the science of crime measurement focussing on four main questions: how do we count crime? How do we calculate crime rates? Are there other measurements of crime? What are the issues surrounding crime statistics? All too often we take the measurement of crime at face value when there is, in fact, a science behind it. This book specifically deals with issues related to spatially-referenced crime data that are used to analyse crime patterns across the urban environment. The first section of the book considers alternative crime rate calculations. The second section of the book contains a thorough discussion of a measure of crime specialisation. Finally, the third section of the book addresses a number of aggregation issues that are present with such data: crime type aggregations, temporal aggregations of crime data, the stability of crime patterns over time, and the importance of spatial scale. This book builds on a growing body of literature on the science of crime measurement and offers a comprehensive account of this growing subfield of criminology. The book speaks to wider debates in the fields of crime analysis, environmental criminology and crime prevention and will be perfect reading for advanced level undergraduate and graduate students looking to find out more about the measurement of crime.

The police composite sketch, one of the most crucial investigative tools in law enforcement, is developed during a composite session-an intense display of communication and art in which the words of a witness are transformed into the features of a suspect. Despite the incredible technological leaps made in investigative work, the forensic science of composite sketching still relies on the basic elements of drawing skill, interpretive ability and the spoken word. The Police Composite Sketch is a comprehensive manual on how to conduct a complete composite session. Through an array of case studies, it details several disciplines that comprise this specialized forensic art, including composite sketching, image modification, age progression, facial comparison analysis, demonstrative evidence and postmortem/skull reconstruction. It also explores how to intuit insights that are often inadvertently revealed by witnesses, victims and perpetrators during the composite session. In addition, this book discusses other relevant topics, such as the three-stage drawing technique, witness and victim types, descriptive terminologies, managing composite sessions. Complete with numerous illustrations and drawing tips, this seminal work offers a general composite session philosophy and specific session strategies to both experienced and aspiring forensic artists as well as any lay reader intrigued by this fascinating skill.

The use of DNA profiling in forensic cases has been considered the most innovative technique in forensic science since fingerprinting, yet for those with limited scientific knowledge, understanding DNA enough to utilize it properly can be a daunting task. Introduction to Forensic DNA Evidence for Criminal Justice Professionals is designed for nonscientific readers who need to learn how to effectively use forensic DNA in criminal cases. Written by a forensic scientist world renowned for her expertise in clothing examination, the book provides a balanced perspective on the weight of DNA evidence. Going beyond a simple explanation of the methodology, it arms attorneys and other criminal justice professionals with knowledge of the strengths and limitations of the evidence, including the danger in relying on DNA statistical probabilities in the determination of guilt. The book covers the most common DNA methods used in criminal trials today-nuclear DNA short tandem repeat (STR) techniques, mitochondrial DNA, and Y-STR profiling. It helps prosecutors know when to emphasize DNA evidence or proceed with trial in the absence of such evidence. It assists defense lawyers in knowing when to challenge DNA evidence and perhaps employ an independent expert, when to focus elsewhere, or when to secure the advantage of an early guilty plea. By imparting practical and theoretical knowledge in an accessible manner, the book demystifies the topic to help both sides of the adversarial system understand where DNA evidence fits within the context of the case.

The evidence discovered at underwater crime scenes must be handled with the same attention to proper chain of custody procedures as with any other type of investigation. Improper handling of these scenes can lead to evidence being lost, unrecognizable, destroyed, contaminated, or rendered inadmissible at the time of trial. Updated and expanded, Underwater Forensic Investigation, Second Edition presents a comprehensive approach to the processing of an underwater crime scene and the steps necessary to conduct the operation. The book summarizes the history, physics, and laws applicable to underwater investigations and includes topics such as team formation, roles, deployment, and accountability. Explaining procedures that can make a true difference in the final outcome of water-related incidents, the author also debunks myths associated with submerged evidence. This second edition contains several new chapters on photography, contaminated sites, preservation of evidence, and release of the crime scene, and includes expanded information on death investigation and organizing the dive team. Nearly 100 color illustrations supplement the text. The science of water-related investigations is still in its infancy, and hence, the field needs accurate and useful sources of education. This text will assist law enforcement professionals and those in other areas of public safety in gaining the knowledge that has historically been lacking. The incorporation of the procedures presented will enable those tasked with working these scenes to develop a greater degree of professionalism, objectivity, thoroughness, and accuracy relating to the investigation of water-related incidents-increasing the chance for successful resolution of these difficult cases.

* Includes over 1050 full-color photographs, diagrams, and illustrations throughout * Presents the step-by-step processes for current and accepted best practices for photography in nearly every applicable forensic context * The most up-to-date and comprehensive book available on the market for forensic photography * Examines traditional and, primarily, digital photography and the changing landscape of photography in a forensic context. * Contributed to by more than 40 professionals with real-world-hands on forensic photography experience in a variety of scenarios

Autoerotic Deaths: Practical Forensic and Investigative Perspectives is a collaboration between two internationally known experts who combine their extensive experience to present a scientific, modern view of autoerotic death-complete with a wide variety of exquisite case histories, photographs, and investigator tips. Chief Medical Examiner Anny Sauvageau of Alberta, Canada and retired NYPD Lieutenant Commander Vernon J. Geberth bring considerable insight to this volume, providing practical and conventional information based on scientific research and case experience from the field. Enhanced with more than 100 color photos, the book explores: The evolution of the concept of sexual asphyxia and autoerotic death The definition and epidemiology of autoerotic death, pitfalls involved in the application of the term autoerotic, and best practices for approaching these death scenes Death scene characteristics and the importance of recognizing clues to the autoerotic nature of a death Methods of autoerotic death, including hanging, plastic bags, chemical substances, and other less-common scenarios Atypical victims of autoerotic deaths Using a case history format, the book presents a complete analysis of all aspects of this unusual and unfortunate type of death. The combination of theory and practice, along with up-to-date science, makes this book an unparalleled resource for all those involved in the investigation of these peculiar incidents.

Philosophers of science have long used reconstructive reasoning to develop historical explanations covering the origins of natural phenomenon. The application of the scientific method is a powerful tool for solving crimes through reconstruction of the events. Scientific Foundations of Crime Scene Reconstruction: Introducing Method to Mayhem demonstrates how to use the scientific method and exercise the critical thinking that is essential for the development of sound data and the construction of reliable explanations. Provides a clear yet rigorous account of the scientific method accessible to non-philosophers Supplies examples showing the application of scientific methods to the reconstruction of events that leave physical evidence at crime scenes Presents self-contained chapters-each with specific points about how a scene reconstruction is built upon the analysis of specific physical evidence Discusses the scope and limitations of physical evidence and the resulting analyses that they support in crafting scientific crime scene reconstructions Includes case studies of crime scene reconstructions from Dr. Nordby's experience, complete with color photographs and laboratory notes Moving systematically from case to case, this volume is an essential reference for forensic and law enforcement professionals who need to step into new or unfamiliar areas to understand how science can help them do their jobs. It enables forensic scientists to apply the natural sciences to casework in shooting and nonshooting cases. It also educates attorneys who need to understand scientific evidence and the process of crime scene reconstruction from the scientific point of view.

This book identifies, traces, and interrogates contemporary American culture's seemingly endless fascination with forensic science. It looks to the many different sites, genres, and media where the forensic has become a cultural commonplace. It turns firstly to the most visible spaces where forensic science has captured the collective imagination: crime films and television programmes. In contemporary screen culture, crime is increasingly framed as an area of scientific inquiry and, even more frequently, as an area of concern for female experts. One of the central concerns of this book is the gendered nature of expert scientific knowledge, as embodied by the ubiquitous character of the female investigator. Steenberg argues that our fascination with the forensic depends on our equal fascination with (and suspicion of) women's bodies--with the bodies of the women investigating and with the bodies of the mostly female victims under investigation.

This timely publication moves away from anecdotal case studies to offer syntheses of archaeothanatological approaches with an eye to higher-level inferences about funerary behaviour and its meaning in the past. It offers detailed insight into the background and development of archaeothanatology, its theory, methods, applications, and its most recent advances, with a lexicon of related vocabulary. It is is a key source for archaeo-anthropologists and bioarchaeologists.

Presents a provocative look at various syndromes familiar to forensic psychologists, as applied to criminal cases and the pathology of suicide and homicide victims Provides information previously available only in the Spanish-language edition Combines the work of world-renowned experts to look at the criminal, legal, and psychological facets of various diagnoses and case examples Offers insight into the psychological state of suicide victims, considering their state of mind as a "psychological autopsy"

Presents a provocative look at various syndromes familiar to forensic psychologists, as applied to criminal cases and the pathology of suicide and homicide victims Provides information previously available only in the Spanish-language edition Combines the work of world-renowned experts to look at the criminal, legal, and psychological facets of various diagnoses and case examples Offers insight into the psychological state of suicide victims, considering their state of mind as a "psychological autopsy"

This volume presents a sophisticated set of archival, forensic, and excavation methods to identify both individuals and group affiliations--cultural, religious, and organizational--in a multiethnic historical cemetery. Based on an extensive excavation project of more than 1,000 nineteenth-century burials in downtown Tucson, Arizona, the team of historians, archaeologists, biological anthropologists, and community researchers created an effective methodology for use at other historical-period sites. Comparisons made with other excavated cemeteries strengthens the power of this toolkit for historical archaeologists and others. The volume also sensitizes archaeologists to the concerns of community and cultural groups to mortuary excavation and outlines procedures for proper consultation with the descendants of the cemetery's inhabitants. Copublished with SRI Press.

This volume presents a sophisticated set of archival, forensic, and excavation methods to identify both individuals and group affiliations--cultural, religious, and organizational--in a multiethnic historical cemetery. Based on an extensive excavation project of more than 1,000 nineteenth-century burials in downtown Tucson, Arizona, the team of historians, archaeologists, biological anthropologists, and community researchers created an effective methodology for use at other historical-period sites. Comparisons made with other excavated cemeteries strengthens the power of this toolkit for historical archaeologists and others. The volume also sensitizes archaeologists to the concerns of community and cultural groups to mortuary excavation and outlines procedures for proper consultation with the descendants of the cemetery's inhabitants. Copublished with SRI Press.

Professionalization has come to the field of threat management. It has developed a systematic theory unique to the field, recognized authorities have emerged, and it is finding its own ethical code of conduct. It is also beginning to grow its own culture, complete with a vocabulary of its own. Although the field has a way to go, it is well along the path to becoming a profession. One product of this ongoing professionalization is the identification of certain key concepts that, until now, have been unidentified or undefined. Concepts and Case Studies in Threat Management explores the salient themes essential to the practice and profession of threat management. These concepts include case dynamics and intervention synergy, the importance of determining key factors in each situation, the power of inhibitors, differences among the various venues of violence, and avoiding myopic management strategies and isolationism. The authors illustrate these concepts and more, with detailed examples and real-life case studies that give readers practical, concrete perspectives on the myriad threat management scenarios they may encounter as they practice their profession. The book also introduces a glossary of terms, developed in a joint effort between the authors and researchers at the University of Nebraska's Public Policy Center, that have emerged during the current professionalization of threat management. Moving the field towards a more pragmatic approach, the book explores in depth the current state of the threat management process. With a full understanding of the components and challenges in each threat management situation, those charged with protecting the public will improve their approach to the tasks of identifying, assessing, and managing individuals who pose a risk of violence.

The Daubert trilogy of U.S. Supreme Court cases has established that scientific expert testimony must be based on science grounded in empirical research. As such, greater scrutiny is being placed on questioned document examination generally, and handwriting comparison in particular. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, The Neuroscience of Handwriting: Applications in Forensic Document Examination examines the essential neuroscientific principles underlying normal and pathological hand motor control and handwriting.

Topics discussed include:

• Fundamental principles in the neuroanatomy and neurochemistry of hand motor control and their application to research in handwriting
• The epidemiology, pathophysiology, and motor characteristics of neurogenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Huntington's, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, essential tremor, and motor neuron disease and their effects on handwriting
• Psychotropic medications prescribed for depression, bipolar disorder, and psychosis; their mechanisms of action; and their effect on motor behavior and handwriting
• The impact of substance abuse on handwriting
• An overview of the aging process and its effects on motor control and handwriting
• The kinematic approach and new findings on the kinematic analyses of genuine, disguised, and forged signatures
• The authors' laboratory research on authentic and forged signatures

An essential resource for professionals and researchers in the forensic documentation examination and legal communities, this volume provides a window on the scientific process of signature and handwriting authentication, integrating the extensive research on neural processes and exploring how disease, medication, and advanced age alter these processes.

This book explores applied research methods used in forensic settings prisons, the probation service, courts and forensic mental health establishments and provides a comprehensive 'how-to' guide for forensic practitioners and researchers.
It provides practitioners and researchers with grounding in the practical techniques appropriate for research in applied forensic settings. This includes knowledge and skills of the research process and the wide range of research methods (both quantitative and qualitative) being applied in this arena. The text provides a critical understanding of the problems, challenges and ethical issues which can arise and ideas for managing these. Specific attention is paid to empirical research within forensic populations and settings including researching vulnerable groups (e.g. offenders and the mentally ill in secure settings), evaluating treatment programmes, and the uses and problems of randomised control trials.

The book is clearly structured, with each methodology chapter describing the background of the approach; the type of research questions addressed; design principles and issues; the types of analysis that can be utilised; strengths and limitations of the method; future directions and further sources of information. Through the inclusion of case studies and illustrative examples from forensic researchers and practitioners who have extensive experience of conducting applied research, this book tackles real-life problems typically faced by researchers and practitioners.

Research in Practice for Forensic Professionals is an essential one-stop resource for practitioners (such as psychologists, nursing and medical staff, prison and probation workers, social workers, occupational therapists) who have an interest in research and in evaluating their own work and the services in which they work. It will also be of interest to students studying areas of applied research, such as forensic psychology or applied criminology and those teaching them.

This book explores applied research methods used in forensic settings - prisons, the probation service, courts and forensic mental health establishments - and provides a comprehensive 'how-to' guide for forensic practitioners and researchers. It provides practitioners and researchers with grounding in the practical techniques appropriate for research in applied forensic settings. This includes knowledge and skills of the research process and the wide range of research methods (both quantitative and qualitative) being applied in this arena. The text provides a critical understanding of the problems, challenges and ethical issues which can arise and ideas for managing these. Specific attention is paid to empirical research within forensic populations and settings including researching vulnerable groups (e.g. offenders and the mentally ill in secure settings), evaluating treatment programmes, and the uses and problems of randomised control trials. The book is clearly structured, with each methodology chapter describing the background of the approach; the type of research questions addressed; design principles and issues; the types of analysis that can be utilised; strengths and limitations of the method; future directions and further sources of information. Through the inclusion of case studies and illustrative examples from forensic researchers and practitioners who have extensive experience of conducting applied research, this book tackles real-life problems typically faced by researchers and practitioners. Research in Practice for Forensic Professionals is an essential one-stop resource for practitioners (such as psychologists, nursing and medical staff, prison and probation workers, social workers, occupational therapists) who have an interest in research and in evaluating their own work and the services in which they work. It will also be of interest to students studying areas of applied research, such as forensic psychology or applied criminology and those teaching them.

This volume examines how new cutting edge forensic techniques are currently being applied or have the potential to be applied in judicial proceedings. Examples include new applications of Raman spectroscopy, quantum chemistry, lithium in DNA analysis, and the burgeoning area of toxicogenetics. In each case legal issues are addressed, including the such as admissibility of evidence resulting from these techniques. A comparison between the American Judiciary system and the European system is included. Contributors offer their expertise from scientific and legal perspectives.

Disaster management has become an increasingly global issue, and victim identification is receiving greater attention. By raising awareness through past events and experiences, practitioners and policymakers can learn what works, what doesn't work, and how to avoid future mistakes. Disaster Victim Identification: Experience and Practice presents a selection of key historical incidents in the United Kingdom and includes candid discussions of potential areas for improvement in preparedness and future deployment capabilities. Real disasters and lessons learned Each chapter in the book addresses a specific disaster and covers a number of main points in relation to the incident. For each event, the book presents data such as the manpower available at the time of the disaster, the number of officers involved in the deployment, and their relevant experience at the time. Details of the disaster follow, as well as the recovery and identification methods employed, the number of fatalities and casualties, and lessons learned. The book also explores the short- and long-term effects that the disaster had on the response team and the community. Finally, each chapter examines important present-day developments in relation to the event. The book summarizes important aspects of the particular disaster in terms of legislative, moral, practical, or other contribution to the field of mass disaster planning, preparation, and deployment on a wider scale. Global input Viewing disaster management from a global perspective, this volume contains the combined input of academics, forensic specialists, trainers, and law enforcement professionals who focus on actual cases to honestly assess events and provide recommendations for improvement.

Reflecting the myriad changes and advancements in the technologies involved in FTIR, particularly the development of diamond ATRs, this second edition of Fundamentals of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy has been extensively rewritten and expanded to include new topics and figures as well as updates of existing chapters. Designed for those new to FTIR, but with enough reference material to appeal to journeyman and expert spectroscopists, this book does not demand any extensive familiarity with chemistry or physics. Specializing in concise and comprehensible explanations of FTIR topics, the author introduces the field of infrared spectroscopy, including the strengths and weaknesses of FTIR as a chemical analysis technique. He then describes the instrument itself and explores topics such as how an interferometer generates a spectrum, optimization of spectral quality, and which tests are used to monitor instrument health. The book discusses how to properly use spectral processing to increase the information of a spectrum without damaging the data and takes considerable care in instructing on sample preparation, as good sample preparation constitutes half the battle in extracting good data. The final chapters examine single analyte quantitative analysis and conclude with an overview of infrared microscopy. Drawing on the experience and knowledge of the author as both a professor and practitioner, Fundamentals of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy offers up-to-date information given in clear, easily understood language to appeal to beginner and expert spectroscopists alike. The author maintains a website and blog with supplemental material. His training course schedule is also available online.

Advances in our ability to analyse information from skeletal remains and subsequent developments in the field of forensic anthropology make it possible to identify more victims of homicides, mass-fatality disasters, and genocide. Summarizing the vast collection of international literature that has developed over the past decade, Forensic Anthropology: 2000 to 2010 explores critical themes fundamental to this evolving topic. A superior supplemental text for any physical anthropology or archaeology class, this volume provides an ideal starting point for advanced exploration and more detailed analysis of select areas. Each chapter presents an overview of the theme under discussion, identifies present trends in research, and suggests areas in which future research could be developed. Topics discussed include: Age determination in juveniles and adults Sex, race, and ancestry determination Stature determination Dental and facial identification Skeletal trauma and bone pathology Taphonomy and comparative osteology Identification from soft tissues Heavily referenced, each chapter contains extensive bibliographies that facilitate further study. The scope of the book's coverage and the careful presentation of meticulous research make it an essential resource for those seeking deeper exploration of this growing field.

Building on the success, and maintaining the format, of Comparative Bone Identification: Human Subadult and Non-Human (ISBN: 9780367777883), Comparative Bone Identification: Human Subadult and Non-Human - A Field Guide presents new images of human bones representing many states of maturation from neonate to 20 years old in comparison to a variety of animal species' bones. Highly illustrated, the book takes a visual approach and provides full annotations pointing out salient features of the most commonly discovered bones. This includes smaller bones of fetuses and subadult humans in comparison to bones of birds, reptiles, marine mammals, fish, and a frog that human bones may most be confused with. Full-color photos provide clear examples for use by law enforcement, medicolegal death investigators, forensic anthropologists, students, and readers who wish to distinguish between human bones and those of a variety of animal species. The book is not intended to be an exhaustive guide to human and nonhuman skeletons. It offers myriad photos and illustrations to help aid in identification and avoid some of the more commonly confused animal bones for human. The book begins with an introduction section on general osteology and explains the major anatomical differences between humans and other animals. The second section compares human and nonhuman bones, categorized by type of bone, and includes most of the major bones in humans and nonhumans. The third section presents of radiographs illustrated documented age in humans. Conveniently designed for field use, Comparative Bone Identification: Human Subadult to Nonhuman - A Field Guide offers users a practical comparative guide that presents the differences among species for nearly all bones in the body. The book serves as a valuable resource of easy-to-access information to investigators and forensic anthropologists for use in the laboratory or in the field.

Presents crime scene collection and preservation techniques and methodology specific to vehicle-related considerations Outlines the unique challenges, and step-by-step procedural requirements, necessary to conduct a vehicle or vehicle-related scene investigation Addresses types of various evidence for vehicles-including fingerprint, blood, DNA, bullet and casing, and fire debris-which are common primary, or secondary crime scenes

Presents crime scene collection and preservation techniques and methodology specific to vehicle-related considerations Outlines the unique challenges, and step-by-step procedural requirements, necessary to conduct a vehicle or vehicle-related scene investigation Addresses types of various evidence for vehicles-including fingerprint, blood, DNA, bullet and casing, and fire debris-which are common primary, or secondary crime scenes