The Basics of Investigating Forensic Science: A Laboratory Manual

Once confined to four-year colleges and graduate schools, forensic science classes can now be found in local high schools as well as in two-year community colleges. The Basics of Investigating Forensic Science: A Laboratory Manual is designed for the beginning forensic science student and for instructors who wish to provide a solid foundation in basic forensic science topics and laboratory techniques. Divided into five distinct sections, the book covers a broad range of subjects, including fingerprinting, shoeprint analysis, firearms, pathology, anthropology, forensic biology, drugs, trace evidence, and more. The book includes extensive notes for instructors to assist in pre-laboratory preparation. Highly illustrated with extensive diagrams and photos, this comprehensive laboratory workbook contains enough pedagogic content to enable it to be used alongside and forensic text or even as a stand-alone text. The laboratory exercises include pre- and post-laboratory questions, illustrating basic crime scene scenarios and clearly stating the objectives of each exercise. Many of the exercises also have additional advanced lab exercises and options for educators with access to more specialized equipment. The Basics of Investigating Forensic Science lends itself to a wide range of academic levels and environments. It is a welcome primer to instructors wanting to conduct experiments, each using essential laboratory techniques, and to address core forensic science concepts.

Table of Contents:
FORENSIC SCIENCE AND CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation: Solving the Puzzle Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Procedure Locard’s Exchange Principle: Transfer of Evidence Background Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Materials Procedure Post-Laboratory Questions Physical Matches Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Procedure Summary Questions Worksheet The 3Ls: Locating, Lifting, and Logging Evidence Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Materials Procedure Post-Laboratory Discussion Questions Evidence Collection: Making an Evidence (Drug) Fold Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Materials Procedure Classifying Evidence: Is This Class or Individual Evidence? Introduction Materials Procedure Follow-Up Questions The Basic Crime Scene Sketch Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Materials Procedure Follow-Up Questions Crime Scene Investigation Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Procedure Summary Questions PATTERNS AND IMPRESSIONS Fingerprints Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Procedure Summary Questions Worksheet Questioned Documents Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Procedure Advanced Laboratory Procedure Summary Questions Worksheet Firearms Identification Web Quest Procedure Questions to Answer Case File Exercise Basic Firearms Identification: Examining Bullets and Cartridge Casings Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Materials Procedure Post-Laboratory Questions Basic Toolmark Identification: Screwdriver Comparison Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Materials Procedure Post-Laboratory Questions Shoeprints Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Procedure Summary Questions Worksheet FORENSIC BIOLOGY Serology Introduction Scenario Pre-Laboratory Questions Procedure Advanced Laboratory Procedure Discussion Questions Advanced Questions Worksheet Pathology: The Autopsy Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Materials Procedure Post-Laboratory Questions DNA Analysis Introduction Scenario Pre-Laboratory Questions Procedure Advanced Laboratory Procedure Discussion Questions Advanced Questions Worksheet Hairs Introduction Scenario Pre-Laboratory Questions Procedure Discussion Questions Worksheet Forensic Anthropology: Determination of Stature Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Materials Procedure Post-Laboratory Questions Basic Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Background Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario FORENSIC CHEMISTRY Inks Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Procedure Summary Questions Worksheet Illicit Drugs Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Procedure Advanced Laboratory Procedure Summary Questions Advanced Summary Questions Worksheet White Powder Testing Introduction Scenario Materials Procedure Post-Laboratory Questions Calculating Blood Alcohol Concentration: The Widmark Formula Introduction Fibers Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Procedure Summary Questions Worksheet Polymers Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Procedure Summary Questions Fire Debris Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Procedure Summary Questions Worksheet Explosives Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Procedure Summary Questions Worksheet FORENSIC PHYSICS Accident Investigation: Skid to Stop Mathematics Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Procedure Work Space for Calculations Post-Laboratory Questions Glass Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Procedure Summary Questions Worksheet Forensic Analysis of Glass: Identifying the Type of Glass Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Scenario Post-Laboratory Analysis Measuring the Diameter of a Human Hair Introduction Pre-Laboratory Questions Materials Procedure Apparatus Setup Post-Laboratory Questions

About the Author :
Kathy Mirakovits teaches forensic science and physics at Portage Northern High School in Portage, Michigan, and physics at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She holds a master’s degree in science education from Western Michigan University and has completed over 15 graduate hours in forensic science. She has taught at the high school and two-year-college levels for a total of 25 years, teaching general science, physical science, chemistry, biology, earth science, and physics. She conducts workshops across the United States for teachers who wish to learn the application of forensic science in a school curriculum. She currently serves as the high school director for the Michigan Science Teachers Association. Gina Londino received her master’s degree in chemistry from Purdue University in Indianapolis. Her main focus in graduate school was in forensic analysis of pigmented ink using pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. She also performed research on biomarkers at Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, through the ADME department throughout graduate school. Gina is currently a senior lecturer in the Forensic and Investigative Sciences program at Indiana University–Purdue University, Indianapolis, where she has been teaching introductory courses in forensic science, forensic chemistry, and forensic microscopy since 2006. She has designed multiple courses in forensic science, including a variety of beginner-to-advanced laboratory exercises.