Introduction to Criminalistics: The Foundation of Forensic Science

334 Pages·2009·10.11 MB·English

by  Barry A.J. Fisher

Introduction to Criminalistics
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Introduction to
Criminalistics
The Foundation
of Forensic Science
Barry A. J. Fisher
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Los Angeles, California
William J. Tilstone
Forensic Science Solutions International
Auchterarder, Scotland, U.K.
Catherine Woytowicz
Department of Chemistry
The George Washington University
Washington, DC
AMSTERDAM • BOSTON • HEIDELBERG • LONDON
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Academic press is an imprint of Elsevier
Cover Credits:
Crime scene at water edge: Courtesy Barry Fisher, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Crime Laboratory
Fire: Stockxpert (Figure 9.1); Bullet: Courtesy Barry Fisher, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Crime
Laboratory; Ecstasy tablets: Courtesy DEA (http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/images_ecstasy.html)
Golf ball: Courtesy of BVDA INTERNATIONAL (http://www.bvda.com/EN/sect1/en_1_6c.html);
Wool: Modified from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:ESEM_color_wool.jpg; Shoe print in
snow: Stockxpert
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Fisher, Barry A. J.
Introduction to criminalistics: the foundation of forensic science / Barry A. J. Fisher,
Catherine Woytowicz, William J. Tillstone.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 978-0-12-088591-6 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Forensic sciences.
2. Criminal investigation. I. Woytowicz, Catherine. II. Title.
HV8073.F488 2009
363.25--dc22
2008040347
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 13: 978-0-12-088591-6
For all information on all Elsevier Academic Press publications
visit our Web site at www.elsevierdirect.com
Printed in China
09 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To our families and to those whose daily use of science in the quest for justice identifies
the guilty, protects the innocent, and benefits the victims.
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Contents
Foreword ........................................................................................................................................ix
PreFace .............................................................................................................................................xi
Section i introduction, Field and Laboratory
chapter 1 Forensic Science: Scope and

perspective ...............................................................................3
Section ii pattern evidence
chapter 2 introduction to pattern evidence:

tool Marks and impressions .................................17
chapter 3 Firearms .......................................................................................31
chapter 4 Fingerprints ............................................................................55
chapter 5 Documents ...............................................................................79
vii
chapter 6 physical evidence ............................................................99
chapter 7 hair and Fiber ....................................................................129
Section iii c hemical evidence
chapter 8 Drugs and pharmaceuticals ................................153
chapter 9 arson and explosives ................................................183
chapter 10 Forensic toxicology ...................................................207
Section iV Biological evidence
chapter 11 Forensic Biology ............................................................237
chapter 12 Dna ...............................................................................................267
contents
appenDiceS
a. personal effects and identification ..........................................291
B. Digital evidence ..............................................................................................295
c. crime Scene reconstruction ..............................................................307
index ............................................................................................................................................309
viii
Foreword
The landscape of forensic science education has changed dramatically in the
past decade. We have experienced an evolution from a field directed primarily
at educating Criminal Justice majors to an era of growing numbers of programs
directed at science majors. The Technical Working Group on Education and Training
(TWGED) was established in the United States by the National Institute of
Justice to formulate recommended standards for forensic science education. As
a follow-up to TWGED, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences established
The Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), which
now accredits bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the United States.
The most widely used and readily available introductory textbook over the past
thirty years has targeted criminal justice majors. The growing popularity of foren-
sic science programs for scientists has created a demand for textbooks that intro-
duce forensic science to freshman and sophomore science majors. Barry Fisher,
Catherine Woytowicz, and William Tilstone have pooled their many years of
experience as forensic scientists and laboratory administrators to write an out-
standing entry text that targets science majors. Introduction to Criminalistics has ix
several important features that will make it enjoyable for both students and
professors. Many of the chapters have a section titled “Central Questions” that
introduces the student to the current status of a particular type of evidence. Each
chapter contains a concise chapter summary, a problem set, and a glossary that
will help the student identify the most important points. Numerous well-chosen
case studies stir interest in the topics and separate boxes address interesting and
important details. The format is efficient with little unnecessary verbiage, mak-
ing it much easier than in most texts to identify salient material.
It is important that teachers have textbooks that are commensurate with
their teaching styles and the knowledge base of their students. Introduction to
Criminalistics is a welcome addition for introducing this exciting field to pro-
spective forensic scientists.
Charles “Chris” Tindall
Professor, Department of Chemistry
Metropolitan State College of Denver