Covers 2,000 points of interest, U.S., Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands.

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.

Offers a diverse, interdisciplinary, and eye-opening view of the future direction of forensic science This one-of-a-kind book is a collection of content from the Past and Current Presidents of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences—providing readers with all of their forensic science experience, knowledge, insight, and wisdom. It envisions where forensic science will be a decade from now and the impact of these emerging advances on the law (along with our place in it), emphasizing theoretical advances, innovative leads from the laboratory, and emerging technologies. Filled with information from some of the greatest forensic minds of their generation, The Future of Forensic Science covers all of the eleven sections that comprise the AAFS. It discusses new directions in forensic anthropology, and looks at the future of such disciplines as criminalistics, forensic engineering science, forensic psychiatry and behavioral science, forensic toxicology, and forensic document examination. It also touches on the current and future state of digital and multimedia sciences. Contains contributions from an eminent group of forensic science experts Presents a valuable repository of forensic science experience, knowledge, insight, and wisdom Offers an insightful interdisciplinary look at the future of forensic science and how it is changing forensic science for the better Timed to coincide with the NIST forensic science initiative and the OSAC process The Future of Forensic Science is a must-have book for practicing forensic science professionals, academics, and advanced undergraduate and graduate students in forensic science. This book is published as part of the AAFS series ‘Forensic Science in Focus’.

The author connects the vast social science data and legal scholarship to provide a wide-ranging assessment of precedent. He outlines the major issues in the continuing debates on the significance of precedent and evenly considers all sides.

This book is a collection of writings on how society has stigmatized mentally ill persons, their families, and their caregivers. First-hand accounts poignantly portray what it is like to be the victim of stigma and mental illness. Stigma and Mental Illness also presents historical, societal, and institutional viewpoints that underscore the devastating effects of stigma.

Beginnings by Magna M. Diaz, Bilingual Librarian, Frankford High School The greatest gift a teacher can have is to have students who are eager to learn. There is nothing better than to see the spark of interest and the desire to know more. I have seen this in the eyes of my Teen Writers. When the author, Judith Kristen, called me in June of 2004, I remember wondering if I wanted to have a program so early in September of the following school year. I took a chance and booked the author. It has been one of the best decisions I ever made. Judith Kristen came in September and talked about her book "The Purple Hat Gang" and immediately connected with the students. There was magic in the air the first day of the program. Judy then offered to have a one day workshop with my students and I opened the workshop to those interested in serious writing. Sixteen students came and sat and listened and shared their writing with the author and each other. Sixteen students found a connection to one another and became friends. The students who chose to participate in the workshop were from 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. They included boys and girls and their cultural background was incredibly diverse. Half of this original group graduated in June of 2005. In September of that same year, the Teen Writers group entered a new phase. Judy came back and gave another talk to our students. This time she included her second book "Olivia Twist...a quest for the glass half-full." The teen writers not only greeted her warmly, but they asked for even more of her time. Judy saw such eagerness and so much desire in these young writers that she sat with me and we talked about preparing a lesson plan that would focus on their writing, culminating in a published book of their written work. The students included in "What We Want To Tell You" have worked very hard going through the process of writing, editing, and reviewing of their work. They also sat and listened to their peers go through the entire process and they have come back for more! I am proud to say that this book is a result of all their efforts and struggles as apprentice writers. The magic of all of this is that Judy graduated from Frankford High School in 1965. She sets her books in our little 'Northwood' neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia. She gives back her heart and soul to help our students find what has taken her so long to find. I remember smiling when I first heard her say to the group, "If your ship doesn't come in... swim out to it!" And, the most incredible part of all of this is that Judy has done it all for free. Her payment is to see our students triumph in their first steps to becoming writers of the future. Magna M. Diaz November 22, 2005