Professionals in many disciplines, from archeology to forensic science and anthropology, must be able to identify organic and inorganic fibers and particles. In a single source, this book presents a range of simple methods to help readers quickly characterize and identify a broad range of materials.

Chemistry/Forensic Science Forensic chemistry is a subdiscipline of forensic science, its principles guide the analyses performed in modern forensic laboratories. Forensic chemistry’s roots lie in medico-legal investigation, toxicology and microscopy and have since led the development of modern forensic analytic techniques and practices for use in a variety of applications. Introduction to Forensic Chemistry is the perfect balance of testing methods and application. Unlike other competing books on the market, coverage is neither too simplistic, nor overly advanced making the book ideal for use in both undergraduate and graduate courses. The book introduces chemical tests, spectroscopy, advanced spectroscopy, and chromatography to students. The second half of the book addresses applications and methods to analyze and interpret controlled substances, trace evidence, questioned documents, firearms, explosives, environmental contaminants, toxins, and other topics. The book looks at innovations in the field over time including the latest development of new discernible chemical reactions, instrumental tools, methods, and more. Key features: Nearly 300 full-color figures illustrating key concepts and over 20 case studies Addresses all the essential topics without extraneous or overly advanced coverage Includes full pedagogy of chapter objectives, key terms, lab problems, end of chapter questions, and additional readings to emphasize key learning points Includes chemical structures and useful spectra as examples Fulfils the forensic chemistry course requirement in FEPAC-accredited programs Includes a chapter on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) materials Comprehensive and accessible, without being overly technical, Introduction to Forensic Chemistry will be a welcome addition to the field and an ideal text designed for both the student user and professor in mind. Course ancillaries including an Instructor’s Manual with Test Bank and chapter PowerPoint® lecture slides are available with qualified course adoption.

Forensic Microscopy: A Laboratory Manual will provide the student with a practical overview and understanding of the various microscopes and microscopic techniques employed within the field of forensic science. Each laboratory experiment has been carefully designed to cover the variety of evidence disciplines within the forensic science field with carefully set out objectives, explanations of each topic and worksheets to help students compile and analyse their results. The emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of the analysis to enrich student understanding through hands on experience. The experiments move from basic through to specialised and have been developed to cover a variety of evidence disciplines within forensic science field. The emphasis is placed on techniques currently used by trace examiners. This unique, forensic focused, microscopy laboratory manual provides objectives for each topic covered with experiments designed to reinforce what has been learnt along with end of chapter questions, report requirements and numerous references for further reading. Impression evidence such as fingerprints, shoe tread patterns, tool marks and firearms will be analysed using simple stereomicroscopic techniques. Body fluids drug and trace evidence (e.g. paint glass hair fibre) will be covered by a variety of microscopes and specialized microscopic techniques.

Criminal Investigations & Forensic Science

A groundbreaking text to the study of textile fibers that bridges the knowledge gap between fiber shape and end uses Textile Fiber Microscopy offers an important and comprehensive guide to the study of textile fibers and contains a unique text that prioritizes a review of fibers’ microstructure, macrostructure and chemical composition. The author – a noted expert in the field – details many fiber types and includes all the possible fiber shapes with a number of illustrative micrographs. The author explores a wealth of topics such as fiber end uses, fiber source and production, a history of each fiber and the sustainability of the various fibers. The text includes a review of environmentally friendly fibers and contains information on the most current fiber science by putting the focus on fibers that have been mechanically or chemically recycled, for use in textile production. The author also offers an exploration of issues of textile waste and the lack of textile recycling that can help public policymakers with ways to inform and regulate post-industrial and post-consumer textile waste issues. This vital guide: Contains an accompanied micrograph for many fibers presented Includes information on how fiber microstructure is connected to fabric properties and how it affects the end use of fabrics Offers a review of the sophistication of textile fibers from a scientific point of view Presents a comparative textile fiber review that is appropriate for both for students, textile experts and forensic scientists Written for students and professionals of apparel design and merchandising, and forensic scientists, Textile Fiber Microscopy presents an important review of textile fibers from a unique perspective that explores fibers’ microstructure, macrostructure and chemical composition.

Forensic Microscopy: Truth Under the Lenses provides an overview and understanding of the various types of microscopes and their techniques employed in forensic science. The book emphasizes both the theoretical and practical aspects of microscopy to enrich the reader’s understanding of the various tools, techniques, and utility—including strengths and weaknesses—of types of microscopes in analyzing certain forms of evidence. The book begins with the history of microscopes, the basic optics for microscopy, then moves to advanced microscopies such as electron microscopes and atomic force microscopes. In addition to the various types of microscopes and how to use and best utilize them, the book looks at the analysis of specific types of evidence, including hair, fiber, fingerprint, body fluids, tool marks, ink, pollen grains, spores, diatoms, bullets, cartridges, among other evidence types. Since forensic science is an applied, hands-on discipline, the book includes both a theoretical and a practical approach to the topic. Key Features: Addresses simple to advanced microscopy techniques for the effective analyses of trace evidence Pairs chapters on a particular type of microscopy, explaining it thoroughly, before delving into specific usage for forensic applications Presents theories and as well as real-world application of concepts Provides abundant micro-photographs, including graphical representations and flow charts, to illustrate concepts clearly Forensic Microscopy serves as a helpful reference for undergraduate and postgraduate students in forensic science, forensic biology, forensic chemistry and related programs. It is also recommended for research students, academicians, technicians, industry and laboratory professionals working on trace evidence analysis.

"This textbook presents the forensic methods used to analyze physical evidence along with the scientific principles that are its underpinnings. It is designed for students without a background in science, however students will learn the core principles behind the forensic method which will lead them to be better forensic professionals"--