Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation (Practical Aspects of Criminal & Forensic Investigations) [Hardcover]

Ross M. Gardner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0849320437 | ISBN-13: 978-0849320439 | Publication Date: June 11, 2004

No two crime scenes are the same, and each scene presents a unique set of obstacles to overcome.

While there is no one "right" way to handle every situation, the goal of collecting evidence while preserving its integrity remains the constant motivation of the crime scene investigator.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I am convinced it is essential that all officers and investigative personnel have a solid understanding of professionally accepted crime scene protocols in order that their agency can take full advantage of today's sophisticated laboratory techniques and technologies. This book can play a significant role in helping responsible, concerned individuals realize that objective."
—Eugene R. Cromartie, Deputy Executive Director/Chief of Staff, International Association of Chiefs of Police Major General (Ret.), United States Army Criminal Investigation Command

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Ross Martin Gardner worked in law enforcement for nearly 29 years. The vast majority of that period was spent with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, performing duties as a special agent and command sergeant major. In 1999, SA Gardner retired from the military to take a position as a chief of police in a small suburban Atlanta police department. He served in that position until 2003, when he quit public service to become a full-time consultant and instructor. Ross is currently the vice president of Bevel, Gardner and Associates, a forensic education and consulting group.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 360 pages
• Publisher: CRC Press (June 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849320437
• ISBN-13: 978-0849320439
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,852 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Text, September 18, 2005

By 

GL (MA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation (Practical Aspects of Criminal & Forensic Investigations) (Hardcover)

This book is an outstanding reference on crime scene investigation. Gardner writes from experience after many years with the US Army's Criminal Investigation Division, an agency known for their superb crime scene skills. Gardner's book covers the many facets of crime scene investigation with particular emphasis on documentation, one of the most important aspects. He presents the Army's 18-step method for crime scene processing which the reader will find to be an excellent model to follow.

I am a working police detective and have received a great deal of training in crime scene investigation and own numerous texts on the subject. Gardner's book is far better than anything else I have seen to date.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Jack of all trades, master of none, December 9, 2008

By 

Boyd T. Baumgartner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation (Practical Aspects of Criminal & Forensic Investigations) (Hardcover)

This book fails on many levels. First and foremost is the content of the book. The methods put forth are anything but practical! The author goes into mass casualty processing with intricate badge systems and talks about chemical processing of fingerprints at crime scenes. The approach to investigation seems overwrought and idealistic with no consideration given to the operating budget, staffing and forensic knowledge required of the staff to accomplish the investigation in this manner.


Secondly, the level of detail and background information on forensic analysis techniques is not consistent. The author gives only a survey of some forensic techniques, but goes into the trigonometric background of blood stain pattern analysis.

If the book is meant to give 'how to' instruction on forensic analysis techniques, it lacks sufficient depth. If the book means to give investigative methodology, it goes too deep on forensic analysis techniques.

Lastly, the editing in the book is atrocious. One example can be found on page 238, where the author states "In the lab, the fumed print can be dyed using rhodamine 6G, Androx, or basic yellow dyes..."

Androx is a libido enhancer according to Google. ARDROX is what he meant to say. There are also non industry standard terms used to reference fingerprint concepts. It made the content lack credibility in my opinion, as it appeared the author was not in the know about the industry of which he was writing.

All and all, I'd say there are many books out there on crime scene investigation that are 1000% better. Barry Fisher's Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation, Seventh Edition, and Spitz And Fisher's Medicolegal Investigation Of Death: Guidelines For The Application Of Pathology To Crime Investigation are my two favorites.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, January 24, 2009

By 

Jeff T. Goudeau (Baton Rouge, LA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation (Practical Aspects of Criminal & Forensic Investigations) (Hardcover)

I am forensic scientist who has qualified as a expert witness numerous times in numerous courts in both Firearms Examination and Crime Scene Investigation. I also teach Crime Scene Investigation at the collegiate level. I have used this text for the past four semesters and have been very satisfied with it. As an professor, I received teaching aids that went along with this book. Both the teaching aids and the book have been well received by my students (and have made other professors jealous). The students also comment on the case examples that are in the book and how these real examples help them to understand the topics better.

This book received one bad review on this website written by Boyd B. I must say I disagree with this bad review on many levels. The review criticizes the author for going into too much detail in bloodstain pattern analysis saying he takes a trigonmetric approach but lacks detail in other disciplines. Well the fact is, Mr. Gardner takes a similar approach to shooting reconstruction. Mr. Garner also goes into much detail in search patterns and crime scene sketching giving numerous examples of different approaches. His section on fingerprints is very good - especially when used as a field guide. The fact that Gardner goes into more detail in one of the most complex aspects of crime scene investigations (bloodstain pattern analysis) is a true testiment to his desire to make a difference in investigations.

You can certainly tell that Mr. Gardner has spent significant time in the field and gives a practical (as the title says) approach to crime scene investigation. I have used this book to teach college students and forensic scientists who are training in crime scenes and police officers. I highly recommend you read this book if you are looking to get into the field or just want to know more about crime scene investigation.