Forensics For Dummies 2nd Edition

Understand the real-life science behind crime scene investigation Forensics For Dummies takes you inside the world of crime scene investigation to give you the low down on this exciting field. Written by a doctor and former Law & Order consultant, this guide will have you solving crimes along with your favorite TV shows in no time. From fingerprints and fibers to blood and ballistics, you'll walk through the processes that yield significant information from the smallest clues. You'll learn how Hollywood gets it wrong, and how real-world forensics experts work every day in fields as diverse as biology, psychology, anthropology, medicine, information technology, and more. If you're interested in a forensics career, you'll find out how to break in—and the education you'll need to do the type of forensics work that interests you the most. Written for the true forensics fan, this book doesn't shy away from the details; you'll learn what goes on at the morgue as you determine cause of death, and you'll climb into the mind of a killer as you learn how forensic psychologists narrow down the suspect list. Crime shows are entertaining, but the reality is that most forensics cases aren't wrapped up in an hour. This book shows you how it's really done, and the amazing technology and brilliant people that do it every day. Learn who does what, when they do it, and how it's done Discover the many fields involved in crime scene investigation Understand what really happens inside a forensics lab Examine famous forensics cases more intriguing than any TV show Forensic scientists work in a variety of environments and in many different capacities. If you think television makes it look interesting, just wait until you learn what it's really like! Forensics For Dummies takes you on a tour of the real-world science behind solving the case **Understand the real-life science behind crime scene investigation**__Forensics For Dummies__ takes you inside the world of crime scene investigation to give you the low down on this exciting field. Written by a doctor and former Law & Order consultant, this guide will have you solving crimes along with your favorite TV shows in no time. From fingerprints and fibers to blood and ballistics, you'll walk through the processes that yield significant information from the smallest clues. You'll learn how Hollywood gets it wrong, and how real-world forensics experts work every day in fields as diverse as biology, psychology, anthropology, medicine, information technology, and more. If you're interested in a forensics career, you'll find out how to break in—and the education you'll need to do the type of forensics work that interests you the most. Written for the true forensics fan, this book doesn't shy away from the details; you'll learn what goes on at the morgue as you determine cause of death, and you'll climb into the mind of a killer as you learn how forensic psychologists narrow down the suspect list. Crime shows are entertaining, but the reality is that most forensics cases aren't wrapped up in an hour. This book shows you how it's really done, and the amazing technology and brilliant people that do it every day. * Learn who does what, when they do it, and how it's done * Discover the many fields involved in crime scene investigation * Understand what really happens inside a forensics lab * Examine famous forensics cases more intriguing than any TV show Forensic scientists work in a variety of environments and in many different capacities. If you think television makes it look interesting, just wait until you learn what it's really like! __Forensics For Dummies__ takes you on a tour of the real-world science behind solving the case A plain-English primer on crime scene investigation that's a must for fans of CSI or Patricia Cornwell Since the O.J. Simpson case, popular interest in forensic science has exploded: CBS's CSI has 16 to 26 million viewers every week, and Patricia Cornwell's novels featuring a medical examiner sleuth routinely top bestseller lists, to cite just a few examples. Now, everyone can get the lowdown on the science behind crime scene investigations. Using lots of fascinating case studies, forensics expert Dr. D.P. Lyle clues people in on everything from determining cause and time of death to fingerprints, fibers, blood, ballistics, forensic computing, and forensic psychology. With its clear, entertaining explanations of forensic procedures and techniques, this book will be an indispensable reference for mystery fans and true crime aficionados everywhere-and even includes advice for people interested in forensic science careers. D.P. Lyle, MD (Laguna Hills, CA), is a practicing cardiologist who is also a forensics expert and mystery writer. He runs a Web site that answers writers' questions about forensics, dplylemd.com, and is the author of Murder and Mayhem: A Doctor Answers Medical and Forensic Questions for Writers, as well as several mystery novels. John Pless, MD, is Professor Emeritus of Pathology at Indiana University School of Medicine and former President of the National Association of Medical Examiners Cracking open the case. Understanding the world of forensic science ; Getting to know the forensics team ; Collecting and protecting evidence ; Delving into the criminal mind Analyzing the evidence. Fingerprints : your personal signature ; Painting a gruesome picture : bloodstain analysis ; Leaving impressive impressions : shoes, tires, and tools ; Burning down the house : is it arson? Examining the body. Determining the cause and manner of death : forensic autopsies ; Identifying unknown victims ; Estimating the time of death ; Ouch! That hurts : traumatic injuries and deaths ; Gasping for air : Asphyxia Utilizing in the crime lab. Analyzing blood and other bodily fluids : serology ; Looking deep inside : DNA analysis ; Testing for drugs and poisons : the toxicology lab ; Picking apart trace evidence ; Bang! Bang! : analyzing firearms evidence ; Questioning the validity of documents The part of tens. Ten famous forensic cases ; Ten ways Hollywood gets it wrong ; Ten great forensic careers. You've solved crimes alongside your favorite TV shows-- but how real is their "real-life" science? Lyle takes you inside the world of forensics, and shows you how it's really done, from the crime scene to the crime lab, and into the courtroom.-- Source other than Library of Congress You've solved crimes alongside your favorite TV shows-- but how real is their "real-life" science? Lyle takes you inside the world of forensics, and shows you how it's really done, from the crime scene to the crime lab, and into the courtroom.-- provided by publisher