Forensic science is a subject of wide fascination. What happens at a crime scene? How does DNA profiling work? How can it help solve crimes that happened 20 years ago? In forensic science, a criminal case can often hinge on a piece of evidence such as a hair, a blood trace, half a footprint, or a tyre mark. High profile cases such as the Stephen Lawrence enquiry and the Madeleine McCann case have attracted enormous media attention and enhanced this interest in recent years. However, the public understanding of forensic science is poor, and largely based on TV shows such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, which exploit high-tech imagery for dramatic effect. Forensic science is a complex activity at the interface of science and law. However, it also deals with real life issues and its results are interpreted within unique situations. Complex scientific findings must be considered carefully, dispassionately, and communicated with clarity, simplicity, and precision. In this Very Short Introduction, Jim Fraser introduces the concept of forensic science and explains how it is used in the investigation of crime. He begins at the crime scene itself, explaining the principles and processes of crime scene management. He explores how forensic scientists work; from the reconstruction of events to laboratory examinations. He considers the techniques they use, such as fingerprinting, and goes on to highlight the immense impact DNA profiling has had. Providing examples from forensic science cases in the UK, US, and other countries, he considers the techniques and challenges faced around the world. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Forensic Science

Very Short Introductions

Fraser, James Curtis, 1967-

James Curtis Fraser

Fraser, Jim

IRL Press at Oxford University Press

Oxford Institute for Energy Studies

German Historical Institute London

OUP Oxford

Very short introductions, 211, Oxford, 2010

United Kingdom and Ireland, United Kingdom

1st, First Edition, FR, 2010

obscured text at back cover

Bookmarks: p1 (p1): 1 What is forensic science?
p2 (p7): 2 Investigating crime
p3 (p17): 3 Crime scene management and forensic investigation
p4 (p33): 4 Laboratory examination: search, recovery, and analysis
p5 (p51): 5 DNA: identity, relationships, and databases
p6 (p69): 6 Prints and marks: more ways to identify people and things
p7 (p89): 7 Trace evidence
p8 (p103): 8 Drugs: identifying illicit substances
p9 (p120): 9 Science and justice
p10 (p127): Afferword
p11 (p129): Further reading
p12 (p131): Index

Due To Its Connections To Violent Crime And Ingenious Detective Work, Forensic Science Is A Subject Of Endless Fascination To The General Public. A Criminal Case Can Often Hinge On A Piece Of Evidence Such As A Hair, A Blood Trace, A Bit Of Saliva On A Cigarette Butt, Or The Telltale Mark Of A Tire Tread. High Profile Cases Have Stoked This Interest In Recent Years And Some Of The Most Popular Shows On Television--such As Csi: Crime Scene Investigation And Its Raft Of Spin-offs--attest To The Enduring Popularity Of Forensic Science As A Form Of Grisly Entertainment. This Very Short Introduction Looks At The Nature Of Forensic Science, Examining What Forensic Science Is, How It Is Used In The Investigation Of Crime, How Crime Scenes Are Managed, How Forensic Scientists Work, The Different Techniques Used To Recover Evidence, And The Range Of Methods Available For Analysis. It Also Considers How Forensic Science Serves The Criminal Justice System And The Challenges Of Communicating Complex Scientific Evidence In A Court Of Law. What Is Forensic Science? -- Investigating Crime -- Crime Scene Management And Forensic Investigation -- Laboratory Examination: Search, Recovery, And Analysis -- Dna: Identity, Relationships, And Databases -- Prints And Marks: More Ways To Identify People And Things -- Trace Evidence -- Drugs: Identifying Illicit Substances -- Science And Justice. Jim Fraser. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

Due to its connections to violent crime and ingenious detective work, forensic science is a subject of endless fascination to the general public. A criminal case can often hinge on a piece of evidence such as a hair, a blood trace, a bit of saliva on a cigarette butt, or the telltale mark of a
tire tread. High profile cases have stoked this interest in recent years and some of the most popular shows on television--such as Crime Scene Investigation and its raft of spin-offs--attest to the enduring popularity of forensic science as a form of grisly entertainment. This Very Short
Introduction looks at the nature of forensic science, examining what forensic science is, how it is used in the investigation of crime, how crime scenes are managed, how forensic scientists work, the different techniques used to recover evidence, and the range of methods available for analysis. It
also considers how forensic science serves the criminal justice system and the challenges of communicating complex scientific evidence in a court of law.
About the Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds
of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.

Forensic science, with its connections to crime and detective work, is a subject of wide fascination. This Very Short Introduction looks at the nature of forensic science, how forensic scientists work, the different techniques involved, and the broader legal issues it raises.

xviii, 135 p. : 18 cm
Includes bibliographical references (p. 129-130) and index

2023-10-09