Forensic Medicine Sourcebook

Basic Consumer Information for the Layperson about Forensic Medicine, Including Crime Scene Investigation, Evidence Collection and Analysis, Expert Testimony, Computer-Aided Criminal Identification, Digital Imaging in the Courtroom, DNA Profiling, Accident Reconstruction, Autopsies, Ballistics, Drugs and Explosives Detection, Latent Fingerprints, Product Tampering, and Questioned Document Examination

Along with Statistical Data, a Glossary of Forensics Terminology, and Listings of Sources for Further Help and Information

Forensic medicine explores the legal aspects of medicine. Its methods can be used to aid criminal investigations and help those seeking justice. Forensic scientists work with many types of evidence to identify victims and perpetrators, determine causes of death, analyze crime scenes, and evaluate the authenticity of questioned documents. The techniques of forensic medicine have even been used to exonerate previously convicted prisoners.

Forensic Medicine Sourcebook looks at forensic medicine for the layperson. It presents information about such topics as accident reconstruction, autopsies, weapons identification, criminal identification, crime scene investigation, fingerprinting, DNA testing, drug detection, evidence analysis, and product tampering. In addition, statistical data are presented along with a glossary explaining forensics terminology and a directory of sources for further help and information.

The book's 55 chapters are arranged in seven parts:

• Overview - provides basic definitions, a timeline, and statistics on suspicious deaths, autopsies, and death investigations in the United States and Canada
• Crime Scene and Laboratory Investigation - covers topics related to the collection and preservation of evidence at crime scenes and laboratory procedures
• Forensic Medicine/Science Subspecialties - describes in some depth the work of each of the forensic subspecialties
• Emerging Forensic Subspecialties - provides information about new forensic subspecialties that either use a new technology or method to detect or analyze evidence
• Advances in Crime Investigation - covers a wide range of topics and describes new forensic laboratories, new laboratory regulations and prescribed tests, and new investigative organizations
• The Courtroom - discusses how evidence is admitted in a case, the role of expert medical witnesses, DNA and previous court decisions, and the use of computer-aided graphics
• Additional Help and Information - provides a glossary of forensics terminology and lists of forensics-related organizations and online sites. All contact data in the "Additional Help and Information" section has been fully verified and includes Web site and e-mail addresses as available.
• Completing the Sourcebook is a comprehensive index.

Material in this book has been collected from a wide range of government agencies, professional associations, and periodicals.

What reviewers are saying . . .

"There are several items that make this book attractive to consumers who are seeking certain forensic data....This is a useful current source for those seeking general forensic medical answers." - American Reference Books Annual, 2000

"Recommended reference source." - Booklist, American Library Association, February 2000

"A wealth of information, useful statistics, references are up-to-date and extremely complete. This wonderful collection of data will help students who are interested in a career in any type of forensic field. It is a great resource for attorneys who need information about types of expert witnesses needed in a particular case. It also offers useful information for fiction and nonfiction writers whose work involves a crime. A fascinating compilation. All levels." - Choice, Association of College and Research Libraries, January 2000

"Given the expected widespread interest in its content and its easy to read style, this book is recommended for most public and all college and university libraries." - E-Streams, February 2001