4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Professors: PLEASE use a different textbook, February 9, 2010
This review is from: Forensic Chemistry (Hardcover)
This textbook attempted to cover semester-long courses in a chapter each. It fell a little short. I've broken down the reasons why I felt it was an insufficient text.
Content:
Forensic Chemistry by definition is a very specific application (as it pertains to the law) of some very broad areas. The text does a good job in touching on these intersections. (e.g.. applied statistics, applied biochemistry, applied instrumental analysis, applied organic chemistry, applied physical chemistry, physics, thermodynamics, etc.) Where the text fundamentally fails is the approach to conveying that to the student. A good text should either a) convey general topics and trends to the reader so they can be familiar when they come upon them in their careers (e.g. tests for presumptive analysis commonly used for street drugs), or b) provide specific equations, details, and thorough explanations of the fundamental principles behind a test, statistical method or reaction. The later should be used only as reference. The failure of this text is that it attempts to do both, and does neither well. The general themes are bogged down in specific minutia, while the equations, tables and appendices are incomplete and neglect the units or definitions of terms that would make them useful.
End of Chapter Questions:
Furthering the frustration is the end of chapter questions. If the text is misguided, the questions are criminal. The poorly worded, poorly conceived questions attempt to test the readers critical thinking skills, but instead are exercises in patience. In an attempt to provide "real world" scenario questions, the author (and editors) failed to ensure that the questions were properly worded (e.g. "A temperature above the flash point of a fuel is a necessary condition for combustion but is it a sufficient one?" Is WHAT one? The temperature? the condition? the fuel? sufficient for what?). They also failed to check if the problems could be solved with the information provided! What is the point of a text that makes you search journal articles published AFTER the textbook to determine the enthalpy of TATP? How would one "determine" the structure to TATP without prior knowledge of what TATP is in the first place? It isn't mentioned in the text anywhere except as the question. One might argue that the author is trying to teach the student to use the internet as a resource. What then is the point of the text?
1st Edition
Historically, 1st Editions have a few errors. I'd challenge anyone to find a text costing over $150 MSRP with as many errors. The text in chapter 2 requires you look up information in Appendix 13, yet the book only contains 6 appendices. The text constantly refers to phantom tables and equations. Within the same chapter, there are Variables (V) representing different things of which neither variable is explained or labeled. Important terms are placed in bold, then never defined. Statements are made without reference that one skilled in the art knows are untrue.
Cost and Availability.
Finally, the cost of a book is too expensive for what you get. In my current Master's Program, this text is the most expensive one I've purchased, and ranks in the bottom 10% for usability and reuse. And while it is not a significant factor for most, this text is not available as a (discounted and searchable) e-book.
I can think of no reason to use this text over any other, and that is not having read any other text.
Things needed to make this text successful in the 2nd Edition.
-Add missing appendices
-Fix errors
-Clearly define variables and important terms
-Rewrite end-of-chapter questions-Make sure they can be completed from the information provided in the text.
-Either remove clutter from the book and focus on themes and general topics or expand the text to a proper reference text that can be trusted
-Lower price and provide e-book version.
PROS
-Good broad inclusion of subjects encompassed in "Forensic Chemistry"
CONS
-Neither approachable nor a sufficient reference text
-Riddled with errors, portions of text missing
-Expensive
-No E-book option
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