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Physical Evidence and Forensic Science

NCJ Number
98527
Author(s)
H C Lee; D Paige; R E Gaensslen; K Russo
Date Published
1984
Length
148 pages
Annotation
Written for police and fire investigators, this manual provides an introduction to the types of physical evidence, the areas of specialization in forensic science, and techniques for collecting and analyzing evidence at the scene of the crime and in the laboratory.
Abstract
A list of types of evidence covers biological, chemical, physical, and miscellaneous evidence. A description of specialties in forensic science covers criminalistics, questioned document examination, forensic chemistry, trace analysis, firearms examination, the analysis of latent fingerprints, voice analysis, and serology. Guidelines on crime scene search and evidence collection explain the basic elements of scene preservation, scene observation, photography, and how to make sketches. They also outline how to collect 14 types of physical evidence. A discussion of submission of evidence to the laboratory explains the letter of transmittal and the packaging of various types of evidence. A section on laboratory examination of physical evidence summarizes the tests used and recent developments. Photographs, diagrams, tables, and forms are included.