Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science (7th Edition) [Hardcover]

Richard Saferstein (Author), Saferstein (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130138274 | ISBN-13: 978-0130138279 | Publication Date: July 31, 2000 | Edition: 7

For Introduction to Forensic Science courses offered by Forensic Science or Criminal Justice programs. Written by a renowned authority on forensic science, this text introduces the non-scientific student to the field of forensic science through an exploration of its applications to criminal investigations, and clear explanations of the techniques, abilities and limitations of the modern crime laboratory.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Dr. Richard Saferstein's Criminalistics continues to be the gold standard of forensic science textbooks. He is simply unrivaled in his skill at making the crime lab exciting and accessible to all readers, ranging from forensic scientists and pathologists, to attorneys and judges, to law enforcement, to students and enthusiasts of all ages. I have, since the beginning of my career, relied upon various editions of Criminalistics, its accuracy, integrity and detail never failing me.

This compelling, latest updated edition of Criminalistics should be in every library and classroom, especially now in this era of proliferating forensic scientific advancements that make the impossible possible and mistakes unpardonable.” – Patricia Cornwell

 

Patricia Cornwell's recent bestsellers include Predator, Trace and Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper - Case Closed. Her brand-new thriller At Risk will be published by Putnam in May 2006. Patricia Cornwell is Director of Applied Forensic Science at the National Forensic Academy.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

The application of science to criminal investigation is described in a style that is easily comprehensible, even to the reader with no background or skills in science. Through actual case histories and with the aid of over 200 illustrations, the reader will explore how forensic science impacted on the "crimes of the century"—the Lindbergh kidnapping and the Simpson criminal investigation—as well as other noted criminal cases.

Criminalistics focuses its attention on the up-to-date technologies police rely on to apprehend criminal perpetrators and to link them through trace evidence to crime scenes. The new edition emphasizes the latest DNA profiling technologies, which include STR and mitochondrial DNA. This book details how the creation of a new, nationwide DNA data bank has been designed to apprehend the mobile criminal. Today, the ability to detect less than one billionth of a gram of DNA means that forensic scientists can extract critical information at crime scenes from stamps and envelopes licked with saliva; a cup or can that has come in contact with a person's lips; chewing gum; the sweat bank of a hat; or a bedsheet containing an individual's skin cells.

As forensic science enters the new millennium, the impact of the digital revolution has led to the development of data banks for fingerprints, fired bullets, hair, paint, and shoeprints. This updated revision of Criminalistics emphasizes the new high-tech advances being made in crime scene investigation, as well as in arson and explosion investigation. A major portion of the text is devoted to how common items of physical evidence are located at crime scenes, processed in the crime lab, and preserved for presentation in the courtroom.

Like all facets of modern life, forensic science has been touched by the Internet. This new edition introduced the reader to basic concepts of Internet use and encourages exploration of the latest Web sites particularly relevant to forensic science and criminal investigation.

In addition to this book's comprehensive coverage of forensic science, a newly revised laboratory manual has been separately designed to supplement this edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 676 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 7 edition (July 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130138274
• ISBN-13: 978-0130138279
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #273,907 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Geat Reading and Information, June 21, 2000

By 

Christopher Cooper - See all my reviews

This review is from: Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science (Hardcover)

This book was a required text for a Criminalistic course during my undergraduate studies in Criminal Justice. Now that I am working within the Criminal Justice field - I find myself using this book as a refrence, and loaning to other people within the field.

This book is written in an professional manner and clearly explains various forensic tests that are conducted upon evidence.

I loaned this book to a 11 year old child - who was intrested in this area and he had no problem underdstanding the basic facts and information presented.

Saferstein is an excellent author who has an uncanny abilty to write technical material in a clear and concise manner.

I recommend this book to students, professors, and practitioners in the criminal justice field.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Introduction to Forensic Science!, May 13, 2003

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science (7th Edition) (Hardcover)

As textbooks go this is without a doubt the best one that I have ever used. This book manages to explain complicated things such as DNA, and other techniques, and tests that are used during the course of an investigation in simple terms that are easy to understand. Especially if you are new to the idea of Forensic Science. Simple explanations, with colored pictures, diagrams, and case studies help show how different tests, evidence collection, and other aspects of Forensic's are used to help "catch" the bad guy. Again easy to read and understand. Well worth the purchase, you will learn a lot!

43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, June 6, 2002

By 

Joseph Pica (Gulfport, MS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science (7th Edition) (Hardcover)

This is without any doubt, in my opinion, the best book ever
written on criminalistics. Not there are not any other great books on the subject, however this is the greatest. It is suprisingly comprehendible considering the complexity of some of the topics involved. The photographs and drawings are crystal clear.
In addition I especially like the test at the end of each section that I feel is necessary to help the reader realize his knowledge,(or lack of knowledge) of that section.