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Physical Evidence

NCJ Number
155913
Editor(s)
H C Lee
Date Published
Unknown
Length
282 pages
Annotation
This book covers many new developments in the field of forensic science and is designed to serve as a primer and guide for law enforcement officers, lawyers, and forensic scientists.
Abstract
The first section of the book deals with the current status of forensic sciences, overviews the uses of physical evidence in criminal investigations, and discusses stages in the analysis of physical evidence. The chapters in the second section cover various categories of physical evidence in terms of the nature of that evidence, an approach for collecting and preserving the evidence, and the modern methods used to examine the evidence. The types of evidence covered include, inter alia, arson and fire evidence, blood and body fluid analysis, bombs and explosives, chemical substances, DNA analysis, document analysis, drugs and controlled substances, firearms, fibers, paints, reconstruction, toolmarks, video evidence, and voice identification. The final chapter deals with legal aspects of forensic science, emphasizing the proper seizure of evidence for effective utilization in court. 58 figures, 2 appendixes, and 63 references