Henry Lee's Crime Scene Handbook [Hardcover]

Henry C. Lee (Author), Timothy Palmbach (Author), Marilyn T. Miller (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0124408303 | ISBN-13: 978-0124408302 | Publication Date: July 25, 2001 | Edition: 1

Henry Lee's Crime Scene Handbook outlines proven methods to help you collect and process physical evidence correctly, analyze it thoroughly, and understand its relevance to the case involved. It evaluates the newest chemical and instrumental techniques, and covers new areas such as forensic analysis of computers and advanced shooting scene reconstruction methods. This "must-have" guide is enhanced with dozens of color photographs, logic trees, check lists, worksheets, case studies, lists of suppliers, and more.

Henry Lee has consulted on thousands of criminal cases around the world and is highly sought after to help solve difficult cases. Now he and his co-authors share more than 50 years of combined experience in this systematic approach to crime scene processing. It provides the information you need for initial training, to take with you in the field, and to refer to again and again during the course of each investigation.

KEY FEATURES:

* Presents a unique, systematic approach to crime scene processing
* Covers in detail how to manage a crime scene, collect information, search for, collect, and preserve physical evidence, conduct field tests, and reconstruct a sequence of events
* Describes how to use the latest chemical and instrumental techniques for each kind of crime scene
* Outlines common problems and provides clear recommendations for overcoming them
* Includes logic trees, checklists, and worksheets that help investigators evaluate the evidence in specific types of crimes

* Presents a unique, systematic approach to crime scene processing
* Covers in detail how to manage a crime scene, collect information, search for, collect, and preserve physical evidence, conduct field tests, and reconstruct a sequence of events
* Describes how to use the latest chemical and instrumental techniques for each kind of crime scene
* Outlines common problems and provides clear recommendations for overcoming them
* Includes logic trees, checklists, and worksheets that help investigators evaluate the evidence in specific types of crimes

Editorial Reviews

Review

...presents a unique systematic and logical approach to crime scene processing. - Law Enforcement Technology

.one of the most well-compiled, easy to read and understand, thorough and beautifully written books that can go a long way in making one a better crime scene investigator. - Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine

Book Description

Announcing the most detailed, authoritative "how-to" book for conducting crime scene investigations!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 1 edition (July 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0124408303
• ISBN-13: 978-0124408302
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #56 in Books > Law > Criminal Law > Evidence

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Avoid this book!, March 22, 2003

By 

A. Turner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Henry Lee's Crime Scene Handbook (Hardcover)

I read this book as a required text for a Masters program in Forensic Science. Having read the previous reviews on the book, I was not expecting a particularly good textbook, but I do not believe that the other reviews do justice to how totally worthless this book is. I feel obliged to write a review of my own to balance the scales, as it were.

First off, the comment regarding the numerous typographical and grammatical errors in the book is grossly understated. I cannot believe that this book ever saw an editor's desk. I have randomly opened the book to several pages, and quickly found the following sentences, which I believe should illustrate my point:

- Most importantly [sic] by keeping the suspect away from the scene, any physical evidence found at the scene that originated from the suspect will link the suspect to the scene only at the time of the crime and not from the suspect having been returned to the scene for identification by victims or witnesses. p.53 (grammatical error, poorly written and confusing)

- Access [sic] the type of scene, the boundary of the scene, and the personnel and equipment needed. p 58. (should read, 'assess')

There are others, as well - alas, I have forgotten the sentence I came across while reading for class that contained a minimum of 5 errors. Yes. One sentence.

My most significant complaint, however, is that the book is simply not thorough. This is primarily due to the fact that it appears to have been written for idiots - all the major areas are touched upon, but there appears to be a fear that tackling them in detail would confuse people. So, instead, each technique is mentioned only in passing, leaving the reader with only a very vague overview of what goes on at a crime scene. Any person actually practicing in the field of forensic science is bound to be disappointed by its lack of depth, detail, and 'new' material. This likely also applies to anyone who has read any other books on the subject, whether they are active in the field or not.

For those who are interested in the subject and looking for a much better primer, I would suggest Fisher's 'Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation,' instead. While he does not have the friendly or chatty writing style that Lee has (the only thing going for Lee's book, incidentally), he is significantly more thorough. The book is also more well-regarded in the field, based on everything I have heard. This is not to say that Lee does not have a prominent name in forensics - quite the contrary. But, I would hate to think that anyone would purchase this book on his name alone. He should stick to spoken lectures, at which he is quite excellent.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginners, August 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Henry Lee's Crime Scene Handbook (Hardcover)

This book is great for beginners and those just starting out. Oddly for one revered as much as Lee, I was very surprised at the number of typos within the text. I would also have liked to have seen more examples of common sense ways to assist in crime scene processing. For example, on one forensic science documentary involving blood spatter evidence, Lee consulted on a homicide and when going through the house recognized that a window blind was missing from a window where the morning sun would shine through. He correctly surmised this blind was removed to conceal blood evidence. There were other areas where he tells one what to do but isn't clear on the process or methods to conduct the crime scene processing. But all in all the text is very helpful for those starting out. For example, explaining all of the different and best ways to process latent fingerprints and how certain processes such as ninhydrin and steam react with certain properties within latent evidence. The charts are very helpful, especially if one is ever asked to explain to a jury why a certain process was utilized instead of another. The inclusions of the case studies were also helpful and interesting. The list of resources and companies is also quite helpful, as is the list of crime scene processing equipment.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Functional, user friendly, and complete..., November 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Henry Lee's Crime Scene Handbook (Hardcover)

I generally look to online reviews in my attempt to find products I need. It is beneficial knowing an individual's first hand experiences with a particular product. I don't usually write reviews, however, I feel compelled to yell that this is a fantastic book...it is a must for anyone in law enforcement or in the criminal defense arena. The book covers all the basic topics in forensic science, is extremely user friendly, and written in a style that is readily understandable.