'Exceptional . . . This thoughtful and engrossing book is as much about law as it is about minds' THE TIMES What drives someone to commit murder? What makes some people lash out on those that they love? Can we predict whether a child will grow into a violent adult, and what can we do to prevent it? These are just some of the questions that forensic psychiatrist Dr Taj Nathan interrogates every day in his work with violent offenders. Stories about violent or deviant behaviour are the subject of sensational headlines or inflated dramatic portrayals, but infinitely more complex and intriguing are the real people behind labels like 'psychopath', 'sex offender' or 'serial killer'. Taking us from secure hospital wards to high-security prisons to courtrooms, Dangerous Minds offers compelling and deeply compassionate accounts of ten people whose lives have been shaped by violence. From the impact of traumatic events in childhood to the evolutionary and cultural influences on the emergence of the social mind, this book is an insider's account of the origins of violence that asks its readers to re-evaluate all that they think they know about the people society deems most dangerous.

The field of forensic archaeology has developed over recent years from being a branch of conventional archaeology into a well-established discipline in its own right. "Forensic Approaches to Buried Remains "takes an innovative approach to the subject by placing the role of the forensic archaeologist within the wider forensic environment; it identifies new areas of interdisciplinary research and practice, and evaluates practical difficulties.

The authors see this book as a reflection of the subject's development, and as a knowledge base for the next generation of forensic archaeologists. Areas covered include: Search logistics, integration and specialist search scenariosLevels of confidence in site search and eliminationUrban and rural landscape reconstruction in both short and long term casesThe integration of cadaver dogs and earth-moving machineryThe recovery of multiple evidence typesSampling strategies, spatial relevance and datingMultiple burial scenarios

As part of the "Essential Forensic Science" book series this book will provide students and practitioners alike with an invaluable resource outlining both the major developments in the discipline, as well as original approaches to the search for, and recovery of buried remains.

Dieses kompakte Lehrbuch stellt das spannende Gebiet der Rechtspsychologie anhand von anschaulichen, alltagsnahen Leitfragen vor: Wer wird zum Tater oder zum Opfer? Gibt es Menschen, die schon "boese" geboren werden? Wann sind Tater nur eingeschrankt schuldfahig? Wie arbeiten ProfilerInnen und wie wird man RechtspsychologIn? Die Antworten auf diese Fragen sowie die vielen praxisnahen Fallbeispiele geben einen grundlegenden Einblick in den Alltag der Rechtspsychologie. Ein leicht verstandliches Lehrbuch fur Studierende der Psychologie, Rechtswissenschaften und verwandter Gebiete, fur PraktikerInnen aus Forensik, Kriminologie und Rechtswissenschaft sowie fur alle an psychologischen Hintergrunden von Kriminalitat und Gerichtswesen Interessierten.

Discover what it's like to be one of the few people allowed to pass the crime scene tape with Peter Faulding, a leading UK forensic search expert. Recovering bodies, finding discarded remains, identifying unmarked graves and saving people from locations and situations too dangerous for the normal emergency services are all in a day's work for Peter Faulding. In this gripping and remarkable memoir, Peter tells his extraordinary life story in fascinating detail. From removing protestors, including the infamous 'Swampy', from inside dangerous tunnels to the scenes of some of the UK's most notorious crimes, he describes how he has developed into a highly regarded and highly skilled search specialist, whose job is to assist investigators and police as they search crime scenes and bring serial killers to justice. For the first time, Peter gives new details on some of the country's most harrowing murder cases - including that of serial killer Peter Tobin, the Nicola Payne case and the Helen McCourt murder; sheds new light on mysterious deaths, including MI6 worker Gareth Williams; and details the incredible lengths he goes to, to help investigators. Get ready to join Britain's most extraordinary forensic search expert on his journey through deadly booby-trapped tunnel systems and into dark waters that hold horrific secrets, then onwards through uninviting crime scenes and into the minds of killers.

Biological Influences on Criminal Behavior, Second Edition is fully updated to include recent research, studies, and publications examining the integration of the biological view with mainstream social, psychological, and environmental views in influences in criminality and criminal behavior. The first edition of the book was written with the belief, grounded in research, that something vital can be discovered when we assess all the factors related to the causes of crime, including biology. Since the first edition published, it has become broadly accepted that biology is certainly a factor in criminal behavior, albeit a singular piece to the puzzle. Increased collaborations between scientists and criminologists has led to a much stronger understanding of the intricacies of biology's role in behavior. As well, more criminologists have biological backgrounds. As the science involved became more complex, so too did this text. This second edition considers the more recent and integrated research that is being conducted today to show the interaction between the environment and a person's biology that lead to our behavior. It has even been shown that the environment acts on, and actually changes the functions, of some genes. The book begins with basic scientific principles and advances to introduce the reader to the more in-depth discussions of various biological influencers. Biological Influences on Criminal Behavior, Second Edition is written primarily for social science and law students who wish to understand this exciting area. The book offers a greater understanding of this rapidly growing field so that its lessons can help to inform policy, treatments, rehabilitation and the law.

Aimed at the busy professional who aspires to become certified in the field, Criminal Investigation for the Professional Investigator is a single source guide that details essential techniques a trained investigator will be called upon to perform during the course of a career. Comprehensive and accessible, the book is authored by a veteran of the NYPD who gained extensive training and experience and went on to launch and operate two successful private investigation agencies. The book covers crucial topics such as crime scenes, how to document and secure them upon arrival, how to interact with witnesses and suspects, and how to correctly obtain search warrants; death investigations...how to conduct them when they involve natural causes, suicide, homicide, accidents, and gunshot and stab wounds; the art of interrogation...warrants, techniques, and how to interrogate juveniles; and specific criminal investigations...robbery, burglary, narcotics, and sex crimes. The book also provides important strategies for making arrests and testifying in courtrooms, details the most effective investigative tools to use, and explains the role of criminal defense investigators. Criminal Investigation for the Professional Investigator is part of the Professional Investigators series that is intended to provide all present and future members of the investigative community with the knowledge and insight to reach the height of their profession. Author Warren J. Sonne wrote an article entitled "The Ashley Gang: What Really Happened" in the Fort Pierce-based Indian River Magazine. This article sheds new light on the exploits of one of Florida's most notorious crime families and their shooting deaths on the Sebastian Bridge in 1924. The magazine subsequently won the Best In-Depth Reporting Award for this story during the annual Florida Magazine Association meeting in Orlando.

Egyptian mummies have always aroused popular and scientific interest; however, most modern studies, although significantly increased in number and range, have been published in specialist journals. Now, this unique book, written by a long-established team of scientists, brings this exciting, cross-disciplinary area of research to a wider readership. It shows how this team's multidisciplinary, investigative methods and the unique resource of the Egyptian Mummy Tissue Bank are being used for the new major international investigations of disease evolution and ancient Egyptian pharmacy and pharmacology. It also assesses the current status of palaeopathology and ancient DNA research, and treatments available for conserving mummified remains. Descriptions of the historical development of Egyptian mummifications and medicine and detailed references to previous scientific investigations provide the context for firsthand accounts of cutting-edge research by prominent specialists in this field, demonstrating how these techniques can contribute to a new perspective on Egyptology.

This text is an accessible, student-friendly introduction to the wide range of mathematical and statistical tools needed by the forensic scientist in the analysis, interpretation and presentation of experimental measurements.

From a basis of high school mathematics, the book develops essential quantitative analysis techniques within the context of a broad range of forensic applications. This clearly structured text focuses on developing core mathematical skills together with an understanding of the calculations associated with the analysis of experimental work, including an emphasis on the use of graphs and the evaluation of uncertainties. Through a broad study of probability and statistics, the reader is led ultimately to the use of Bayesian approaches to the evaluation of evidence within the court. In every section, forensic applications such as ballistics trajectories, post-mortem cooling, aspects of forensic pharmacokinetics, the matching of glass evidence, the formation of bloodstains and the interpretation of DNA profiles are discussed and examples of calculations are worked through. In every chapter there are numerous self-assessment problems to aid student learning.

Its broad scope and forensically focused coverage make this book an essential text for students embarking on any degree course in forensic science or forensic analysis, as well as an invaluable reference for post-graduate students and forensic professionals.

Key features: Offers a unique mix of mathematics and statistics topics, specifically tailored to a forensic science undergraduate degree.All topics illustrated with examples from the forensic science discipline.Written in an accessible, student-friendly way to engage interest and enhance learning and confidence.Assumes only a basic high-school level prior mathematical knowledge.

Written by the world's leading expert on the Tokyo sarin attacks, Chemical and Biological Weapons and Terrorism is a comprehensive examination of the use, detection, and prevention of chemical and biological attacks. Divided in two parts, one devoted to chemical and the other biological weapons, this book emphasizes defense, decontamination, detection, treatment, mechanism of toxic action, and pathological effects in the case of each. Covering a diverse range of substances, chapters draw on detailed case studies on the US anthrax attacks, the Tokyo sarin gas attacks, as well as an entire chapter devoted to the Iran-Iraq War co-authored with Dr. Sayid Abbas Foroutan, a former Iranian military surgeon who actively participated in the treatment of Iranian soldiers suffering from gas poisoning. Features include: A case study of the Tokyo sarin gas attacks from the leading expert on the subject A detailed case study on the U.S. anthrax attacks A chapter on the Iran-Iraq War and controversial weapons co-authored with an Iranian military surgeon with first-hand knowledge of the subject Details on the various ways chemical and biological weapons can be constructed and deployed Applicable defense strategies, including detection of materials and decontamination in the event chemical/biological weapons are deployed Featuring over 100 unique photographs and detailed chemical structures, Chemical and Biological Weapons and Terrorism is essential reading for counterterrorism experts, first responders and medical professionals, security consultants and military personnel seeking to expand their knowledge of preventative strategies. The book also will serve as a great resource for students in homeland security, public administration, and criminal justice programs.

Did you know. . .
. . . that arson has been described as the fastest-growing crime in America?
. . . that arson is the most expensive crime committed?
. . . that over 8 billion dollars was estimated lost due to fires in 1994?
. . . that an estimated 86,000 structure fires of incendiary or suspicious origin were reported in 1994?
David Redsicker provides these statistics and much more, including practical methods, information, and advice for investigating these types of crimes, in Practical Fire and Arson Investigation, Second Edition.
Extensively rewritten second edition of this practical manual - More than 40% new material!
Practical Fire and Arson Investigation, Second Edition is a significantly revised, updated, and expanded new edition of this best-selling book in the Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigations series, edited by Vernon Geberth. As in the first edition, specific details on the basic principles are presented, and advanced applied techniques for conducting a thorough fire and arson investigation are detailed.
New topics covered in the Second Edition include:
o Extensively rewritten chapters on determining origin and cause, eliminating accidental fire causes, investigating fatal fires and vehicular fires, and documenting the fire/crime scene
o Fire scene photography using "painting with light"
o Importance of evidence preservation and analysis in civil litigation of liability and product defects

"Forensic Science in Court: The Role of the Expert Witness" is a practical handbook aimed at forensic science students, to help them prepare as an expert witness when presenting their evidence in court. Written in a clear, accessible manner, the book guides the student through the legal process and shows them how to handle evidence, write reports without ambiguity through to the more practical aspects of what to do when appearing in court. The book also offers advice on what to expect when working with lawyers in a courtroom situation.

An essential text for all students taking forensic science courses who are required to take modules on how to present their evidence in court. The book is also an invaluable reference for any scientist requested to give an opinion in a legal context.

- Integrates law and science in an easy to understand format

- Inclusion of case studies throughout

- Includes straightforward statistics essential for the forensic science student

- An invaluable, practical textbook for anyone appearing as an expert witness in court

- Unique in its approach aimed at forensic science students in a courtroom environment

Here is a complete guide to the collection, classification, and comparison of friction skin prints and the determination of identity and nonidentity. It discusses: the cause and significance of variations in prints; the importance of class characteristics in print; the application of probability in decision making; and photographic techniques and considerations.

This book addresses the multidisciplinary challenges in biodiversity conservation with a focus on wildlife crime and how forensic tools can be applied to protect species and preserve ecosystems. Illustrated by numerous case studies covering different geographical regions and species the book introduces to the fundamentals of biodiversity conflicts, outlines the unique challenges of wildlife crime scenes and reviews latest techniques in environmental forensics, such as DNA metagenomics. In addition, the volume explores the socio-economic perspective of biodiversity protection and provides an overview of national and international conservation laws. The field of conservation medicine stresses the importance of recognizing that human health, animal health, and ecosystem health are inextricably interdependent and the book serves as important contribution towards achieving the UN Sustainable Developmental Goals, in particular SDG 15, Life on Land. The book addresses graduate students, scientists and veterinary professionals working in wildlife research and conservation biology.

When police in Rexburg, Idaho perform a wellness check on seven J.J. Vallow and his sister, sixteen-year-old Tylee Ryan, both children are nowhere to be found. Their mother, Lori Vallow, gives a phony explanation, and when officers return the following day with a search warrant, she, too, is gone. As the police begin to close in, a larger web of mystery, murder, fanaticism and deceit begins to unravel. Vallow's case is sinuously complex. As investigators prod further, they find the accused Black Widow has an unusual number of bodies piling up around her. WHEN THE MOON TURNS TO BLOOD tells a gripping story of extreme beliefs, snake oil prophets, and explores the question: if it feels like the world is ending, how are people supposed to act?

This book tackles the contentious issue of policing in an age of controversy and uncertainty. It is a timely book written by police scholars - predominantly former practitioners from Europe, Australia and North America - who draw from their own research and operational experiences to illuminate key issues relating to police reform in the present day. While acknowledging some relevance of usual proposed models, such as problem-solving, evidence-based policing and procedural justice, the contributors provide an insider look at a variety of perspectives and approaches to police reform which have emerged in recent decades. It invites university students, criminologists, social scientists, police managers, forensic scientists to question and adapt their perspectives on a broad range of topics such as community policing, hate crime, Islamic radicalisation, neighborhood dynamics, situational policing, antidiscrimination and civil society, police ethics, performance measures, and advances in forensic science, technology, intelligence and more in an accessible and comprehensive manner.

The book explores the fundamental principles, advances in forensic techniques, and its application on forensic DNA analysis. The book is divided into three modules; the first module provides the historical prospect of forensic DNA typing and introduces fundamentals of forensic DNA typing, methodology, and technical advancements, application of STRs, and DNA databases for forensic DNA profile analysis. Module 2 examines the problems and challenges encountered in extracting DNA and generating DNA profiles. It provides information on the methods and the best practices for DNA isolation from forensic biological samples and human remains like ancient DNA, DNA typing of skeletal remains and disaster victim identification, the importance of DNA typing in human trafficking, and various problems associated with capillary electrophoresis. Module 3 emphasizes various technologies that are based on SNPs, STRs namely Y-STR, X-STR, mitochondrial DNA profiling in forensic science. Module 4 explores the application of non-human forensic DNA typing of domestic animals, wildlife forensics, plant DNA fingerprinting, and microbial forensics. The last module discusses new areas and alternative methods in forensic DNA typing, including Next-Generation Sequencing, and its utility in forensic science, oral microbes, and forensic DNA phenotyping. Given its scope, the book is a useful resource in the field of DNA fingerprinting for scientists, forensic experts, and students at the postgraduate level.

This book features high-quality research papers presented at the International Conference on Applications and Techniques in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics (ICCSDF 2021), held at The NorthCap University, Gurugram, Haryana, India, during April 3-4, 2021. This book discusses the topics ranging from information security to cryptography, mobile application attacks to digital forensics, and from cyber security to blockchain. The goal of the book is to provide 360-degree view of cybersecurity to the readers which include cyber security issues, threats, vulnerabilities, novel idea, latest technique and technology, and mitigation of threats and attacks along with demonstration of practical applications. This book also highlights the latest development, challenges, methodologies as well as other emerging areas in this field. It brings current understanding of common Web vulnerabilities while maintaining awareness and knowledge of contemporary standards, practices, procedures, and methods of Open Web Application Security Project. It also expounds how to recover information after a cybercrime.

Insect-related evidence is one of the most powerful, least understood examples of modern forensic science. Entomology and the Law is a detailed roadmap from crime scene to courtroom--for entomologists, law enforcement personnel and lawyers preparing for trial. Part I focuses on carrion flies as forensic indicators, exploring relevant biology clearly and concisely illustrated by real-life cases. Part II is a thorough examination of the law of scientific evidence worldwide, complete with caselaw, applicable code provisions, and legal issues relevant to the admissibility and use of forensic entomology in litigation.

Understanding the latest capabilities in the cyber threat landscape as well as the cyber forensic challenges and approaches is the best way users and organizations can prepare for potential negative events. Adopting an experiential learning approach, this book describes how cyber forensics researchers, educators and practitioners can keep pace with technological advances, and acquire the essential knowledge and skills, ranging from IoT forensics, malware analysis, and CCTV and cloud forensics to network forensics and financial investigations. Given the growing importance of incident response and cyber forensics in our digitalized society, this book will be of interest and relevance to researchers, educators and practitioners in the field, as well as students wanting to learn about cyber forensics.

Now in its second edition, Forensic Investigation of Explosions draws on the editor's 30 years of explosives casework experience, including his work on task forces set up to investigate major explosives incidents. Dr. Alexander Beveridge provides a broad, multidisciplinary approach, assembling the contributions of internationally recognized experts who present the definitive reference work on the subject. Topics discussed include: The physics and chemistry of explosives and explosions The detection of hidden explosives The effect of explosions on structures and persons Aircraft sabotage investigations Explosion scene investigations Casework management The role of forensic scientists Analysis of explosives and their residues Forensic pathology as it relates to explosives Presentation of expert testimony With nearly 40 percent more material, this new edition contains revised chapters and several new topics, including: A profile of casework management in the UK Forensic Explosives Laboratory, one of the world's top labs, with a discussion of their management system, training procedures, and practical approaches to problem solving Properties and analysis of improvised explosives An examination of the Bali bombings and the use of mobile analytical techniques and mobile laboratories The collection, analysis, and presentation of evidence in vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cases, as evidenced in attacks on US overseas targets This volume offers valuable information to all members of prevention and post-blast teams. Each chapter was written by an expert or experts in a specific field and provides well-referenced information underlying best practices that can be used in the field, laboratory, conference room, classroom, or courtroom.

Using human skeletal remains, this volume traces health, workload and violence in the European population over the past 2,000 years. Health was surprisingly good for people who lived during the early Medieval Period. The Plague of Justinian of the sixth century was ultimately beneficial for health because the smaller population had relatively more resources that contributed to better living conditions. Increasing population density and inequality in the following centuries imposed an unhealthy diet - poor in protein - on the European population. With the onset of the Little Ice Age in the late Middle Ages, a further health decline ensued, which was not reversed until the nineteenth century. While some aspects of health declined, other attributes improved. During the early modern period, interpersonal violence (outside of warfare) declined possibly because stronger states and institutions were able to enforce compromise and cooperation. European health over the past two millennia was hence multifaceted in nature.

This book introduces the core concepts of bloodstain pattern analysis that help to understand and make independent contributions to crime scenes accurately. It presents a bridge between new research results and the practical work field of crime scene investigation in bloodstain pattern analysis, by showing and detailing reports of two different scenarios. The scenarios presented have an extensive description of gathered evidence and are diversified with real crime scene photography and sketches. This kind of case report is rare in scientific books, but the author, as a researcher, has permission from the authorities to present the cases. The book finally concludes with the main problems of modern bloodstain pattern analysis and discusses the way forward.

Lessons can be learned from major fraud cases. Whether the victim is a company, public agency, nonprofit, foundation, or charity, there is a high likelihood that many of these frauds could have been prevented or detected sooner if early Red Flag warning signs had been identified and acted upon. Fraud Prevention and Detection: Warning Signs and the Red Flag System will enable officers and directors, internal and external stakeholders, as well as outside analysts to protect themselves and their organizations against fraud by effectively detecting, analyzing, and acting on early Red Flag warning signs. Based on an empirically tested strategy, the Red Flag System reflects the authors' more than 100 years combined experience in the investigation of fraud in high-profile, global cases in North America, Africa, Europe, and the Far East. Readers of this book will: Acquire a general awareness of the nature, characteristics, and dynamics of fraud Understand the process for determining whether a fraud has been committed Develop an understanding of enterprise risk management approaches for fraud risk management, compliance risk management, and managing the risk of fraudulent financial reporting-including an understanding of the limitations inherent in these approaches Learn how to find Red Flag indicators of fraud or suspicious transactions in financial statements, budgets, and contracts Know how to ensure that, once a Red Flag has been identified, appropriate action is taken Fraud can lead to significant financial loss as well as bad press and publicity with significant reputational impact for officers, directors, corporations, and their stakeholders. This book's no-nonsense approach empowers those charged with protecting organizations to stop these frauds before the organization's livelihood is jeopardized or to mitigate damage when fraud has occurred.

Designed for use by investigators in any agency, large or small, Practical Cold Case Homicide Investigations Procedural Manual provides an overview" "of the means and methods by which previously reported and investigated yet unresolved homicides might be solved. Written by an experienced cold case investigator and consultant, this convenient handbook is drawn from the author s previous work, "Cold Case Homicides: Practical Investigative Techniques" and follows the successful format of Vernon Geberth s" Practical Homicide Investigation: Checklist and Field Guide."

The book examines the basics of case identification and reactivation, providing insight into file retrieval and review. It discusses the legal aspects of cold case investigation and prosecution and explores how to take advantage of technology and forensics advances developed since the case went cold including forensic and people-searching databases. Readers will learn how techniques used in current homicide investigations have an expanded role in cold case investigations. The convenient format features a summary and checklist template and includes simple, step-by-step instructions.

While cold cases are frustrating for investigators and victims families, this book shows how modern cold case homicide investigation can best exploit the primary solvability factors of changes in technology and changes in relationships turning the concept of time as an enemy into time as a friend.

"