Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

I have been a criminal investigator for a small department for several years. I found this book to be VERY informative for anyone who processes crime scenes. It is as useful for the investigator in the smallest department as well as the larger ones. I learned a lot in just the first few pages, and found it difficult to put down. Whether you are a new detective, or a seasoned veteran, a crime scene analyst for a major metropolitan police department, or a "catch-all" detective for a tiny department, you'll probably do well to read this book.

Gardner's approach to crime scene investigation is logical, methodical, and organized. It provides a solid ground for teaching a basic crime scene course. The processing model presented in the book provides the police academy cadets with a guide on how to approach each crime scene. Very well presented! Plus, Gardner knows his forensics - YEAH! There are so many books out there with strange bogus forensic information, the kind that makes you go, "WHAT??? Noooooo." As a practicing Criminalist with a Masters in Forensic Science, I am happy with his book as a permanent fixture on my desk and in my classroom.

This text is required reading in many current crime scene processing courses, and rightly so. It provides a solid foundation to anyone wishing to learn how to process crime scenes and serves as an excellent reference for those already in the field.

Book arrived in excellent condition and in less than a week. Book exactly as described. In great condition...i would say new.

Every officer should have this book in their library. Couple this with Crime Scene Investigation (ISBN# 9781593453251) and Practical Homicide Investigation (ISBN# 9780849333033), and you've got an excellent reference set on crime scene investigations.

I haven't read this book just yet, but will be using it to prepare for the IAI (International Association of Identification) exam soon. The test contains concepts & specific questions directly from this book.

The book arrived just as it said in the description and arrived very fast! Great service overall!