Practical Guide to the Basics of Physical Evidence - A Reference Text for the Criminalist, Investigator, Student, and Attorney

• NCJ Number: 93312
• Author(s): C W Cook
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 280 pages
• Sale Source: Charles C. Thomas
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Designed to assist the investigator or laboratory examiner in obtaining factual findings and presenting them precisely, this reference work discusses laboratory techniques for the examination of physical evidence, background information on the use of certain instruments and methods, and approaches to investigating illegal entry cases.

Abstract

The first section provides a description of how to focus examinations of particular types of physical evidence, including questioned documents, fingerprints, firearms, tool marks, hair and fibers, and blood and body fluids. Uses of photography and chemistry in investigations are also outlined. In the second section, techniques for a number of specific types of analysis are detailed. These include use of optical equipment, restoration of obliterated stamped markings, use of precision measuring devices, analysis of footprints and other impressions, photographing and casting of impressions, analyzing tool mark evidence, and approaches to basic crime scene search. The third section is devoted to techniques for examining evidence in illegal entry cases involving lock picking, forcible or direct entry, and bypassing security devices. Tools of all kinds relevant to examination of physical evidence are listed and defined in the final section. The text is interspersed with illustrations.