The law of forensics : a proof beyond the shadow of doubt

Abstract

Everything is a self-portrait, a diary, your whole drug history’s in a strand of your hair. Your fingernails the forensic details the lining of your stomach is a document. The calluses on your hand tell all your secrets. Your teeth give you away. Your accent, the wrinkles around your mouth and eyes, everything you do shows your hand. (Chuck Palahniuk) This book gives an understanding of the application of forensic sciences to the law. It covers the crime scene investigation process, and provides an overview of the various kinds of forensic evidence that may be collected and presented in court. Points out the identification, documentation and collection of physical evidence, including fingerprints, shoe impressions, hair fibers, firearms evidence and questioned documents, It considers biological evidence, including DNA, and tries to analayze the scientific unimpeachablity of DNA, blood spatter and other fluids, forensic anthropology and odontology. Finally, the book engages fire investigation and forensic accounting. It is designed to provide a foundation in the field of criminalistics to who are interested in the use of science and law to solve crime, and considers the impact of television and other media on the field of Forensic Science and the courtroom.