Dr. Lester Adelson's original The Pathology of Homicide has been described as a "superb textbook" and "without doubt…the best written book of its type in the English language" by Dr. Charles Hirsch. This new, revised edition preserves Dr. Adelson's eloquent and articulate voice, while bringing the subject matter up to date. Since the first edition was published in 1974, Dr. Adelson’s book was a treasured text among many forensic pathologists. The “aging” of the book, however, made it less appealing to the new generation of forensic pathologists, and Dr. Adelson’s important contribution to forensic pathology was at risk of being lost. Although much has changed in forensic pathology in the ensuing nearly fifty years since it was first written, much also has stayed the same. In this new edition, the author, Dr. James Gill—Chief Medical Examiner of the State of Connecticut and past president of the National Association of Medical Examiners—preserves the voice, vision, and wisdom of Dr. Adelson while updating the forensic pathology material. The author has included nearly 700 all new color images. In addition, the references have been updated with over 4,400 citations. Six new chapters and sections have been added, including death certification, elder abuse, pediatric head injury, drugs of misuse, histopathology, and bereavement. Other updates are included on DNA technology, CT scans, and novel drugs. Although primarily concerned with homicides, there is the need to be able to recognize natural, accidental, and suicidal deaths; therefore, these topics are interspersed in the text to give the appropriate context. This book will help the reader understand the details of injuries and how a person was injured, why they died, and how these injuries, perhaps at first blush seemingly insignificant, can shed new light on a death investigation. It is the author’s hope to get this book to the next generation of forensic pathologists.

Forensic Chemistry: Fundamentals and Applications presents a new approach to the study of applications of chemistry to forensic science. It is edited by one of the leading forensic scientists with each chapter written by international experts specializing in their respective fields, and presents the applications of chemistry, especially analytical chemistry, to various topics that make up the forensic scientists toolkit. This comprehensive, textbook includes in-depth coverage of the major topics in forensic chemistry including: illicit drugs, fibers, fire and explosive residues, soils, glass and paints, the chemistry of fingerprint recovery on porous surfaces, the chemistry of firearms analysis, as well as two chapters on the key tools of forensic science, microscopy and chemometrics. Each topic is explored at an advanced college level, with an emphasis, throughout the text, on the use of chemical tools in evidence analysis. Forensic Chemistry: Fundamentals and Applications is essential reading for advanced students of forensic science and analytical chemistry, as well as forensic science practitioners, researchers and faculty, and anyone who wants to learn about the fascinating subject of forensic chemistry in some depth. This book is published as part of the AAFS series 'Forensic Science in Focus'.

Forensic Investigation of Stolen-Recovered and Other Crime-Related Vehicles provides unique and detailed insights into the investigations of one of the most common crime scenes in the world. In addition to a thorough treatment of auto theft, the book covers vehicles involved in other forms of crime—dealing extensively with the various procedures and dynamics of evidence as it might be left in any crime scene. An impressive collection of expert contributors covers a wide variety of subjects, including chapters on vehicle identification, examination of burned vehicles, vehicles recovered from under water, vehicles involved in terrorism, vehicle tracking, alarms, anti-theft systems, steering columns, and ignition locks. The book also covers such topics as victim and witness interviews, public and private auto theft investigations, detection of trace evidence and chemical traces, vehicle search techniques, analysis of automotive fluids, vehicle registration, document examination, and vehicle crime mapping. It is the ultimate reference guide for any auto theft investigator, crime scene technician, criminalist, police investigator, criminologist, or insurance adjuster. - Extensively researched and exceptionally well-written by internationally-recognized experts in auto theft investigation and forensic science - All the principles explained in the text are well-illustrated and demonstrated with more than 450 black and white and about 100 full-color illustrations, many directly from real cases - Serves as both a valuable reference guide to the professional and an effective teaching tool for the forensic science student

Designed to provide practicing scientists with extensive knowledge and reference material to support scientific testimony in the courtroom, this book presents authoritative, updated reviews designed to familiarize the reader with the latest techniques and methods available to forensic scientists. Practitioners will find this volume and its two other companions to be a handy reference for acquiring a working knowledge of examination techniques for a wide-range of crime-scene evidence. This volume focuses on DNA analysis, fiber analysis, drug identification, firearm examination, the microscopic examination of physical evidence, and the characterization of biological stains. An invaluable training aid for those preparing themselves for a career in forensic science, and an invaluable reference handbook for those already in the profession.

Forensic Chemistry: Fundamentals and Applications presents a new approach to the study of applications of chemistry to forensic science. It is edited by one of the leading forensic scientists with each chapter written by international experts specializing in their respective fields, and presents the applications of chemistry, especially analytical chemistry, to various topics that make up the forensic scientists toolkit. This comprehensive, textbook includes in-depth coverage of the major topics in forensic chemistry including: illicit drugs, fibers, fire and explosive residues, soils, glass and paints, the chemistry of fingerprint recovery on porous surfaces, the chemistry of firearms analysis, as well as two chapters on the key tools of forensic science, microscopy and chemometrics. Each topic is explored at an advanced college level, with an emphasis, throughout the text, on the use of chemical tools in evidence analysis. Forensic Chemistry: Fundamentals and Applications is essential reading for advanced students of forensic science and analytical chemistry, as well as forensic science practitioners, researchers and faculty, and anyone who wants to learn about the fascinating subject of forensic chemistry in some depth. This book is published as part of the AAFS series 'Forensic Science in Focus'.

Scores of talented and dedicated people serve the forensic science community, performing vitally important work. However, they are often constrained by lack of adequate resources, sound policies, and national support. It is clear that change and advancements, both systematic and scientific, are needed in a number of forensic science disciplines to ensure the reliability of work, establish enforceable standards, and promote best practices with consistent application. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward provides a detailed plan for addressing these needs and suggests the creation of a new government entity, the National Institute of Forensic Science, to establish and enforce standards within the forensic science community. The benefits of improving and regulating the forensic science disciplines are clear: assisting law enforcement officials, enhancing homeland security, and reducing the risk of wrongful conviction and exoneration. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States gives a full account of what is needed to advance the forensic science disciplines, including upgrading of systems and organizational structures, better training, widespread adoption of uniform and enforceable best practices, and mandatory certification and accreditation programs. While this book provides an essential call-to-action for congress and policy makers, it also serves as a vital tool for law enforcement agencies, criminal prosecutors and attorneys, and forensic science educators.