The text begins with an introduction to the identification and individualization of physical evidence and its collection and preservation. It describes the responsibilities of the first officer at the crime scene, including procedures for entering and protecting the scene, handling the injured or dead, managing the firearms and ammunition, and dealing with suspects. The duties of specialized support personnel assisting a crime scene investigation are delineated, including those of identification officers, forensic surveyors, photographers, criminalists, forensic pathologists, hospital emergency room personnel, and district attorneys. Procedures are specified for investigations of rape and other sexual assaults, burglaries, and offenses involving motor vehicles (e.g., homicide in a vehicle, hit-and-run crimes), illicit drugs and toxicology, firearms, arson, and explosives. Investigations of possible homicides, suicides, or accidental deaths are elaborated; instructions are given for examinations of the dead body and the crime scene, estimating the time of death, conducting the autopsy, and determining injuries from external mechanical violence. Also included are discussions of trace evidence and miscellaneous material found at the crime scene, blood and other biological evidence of use in the investigation, and impression evidence (footprints, tooth marks, tool marks, and typed documents). A section on establishing identity includes commentaries on the use of fingerprints, palm prints, and glove prints and on the examination of handwriting and identification in catastrophes. Guidance is also given on sketching and photographing the crime scene. Numerous photographs illustrate the evidence collected and equipment used. Chapter references, an index, and a list of equipment for crime scene investigations are included.