First Unit Responder: A Guide to Physical Evidence Collection for Patrol Officers (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "The patrol officer in law enforcement today is placed in a role with a variety of tasks and duties to perform..." (more)
Key Phrases: first unit responder, unit responders, individual characteristic evidence, Officer Friendly (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Mark Hawthorne's easy writing style and use of personal anecdotes make this book a relaxed read. First Unit Responder is a good resource for recruit training or criminal justice/criminology students, or as review material for seasoned investigators.
-Cpl. Andreas K. Mendel, NCO in Charge, Forensic Identification Section, West Vancouver Police, in Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal

Mark Hawthornes easy writing style and use of personal anecdotes make this book a relaxed read. First Unit Responder is a good resource for recruit training or criminal justice/criminology students, or as review material for seasoned investigators.
-Cpl. Andreas K. Mendel, NCO in Charge, Forensic Identification Section, West Vancouver Police, in Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal

Product Description

"Physical evidence cannot be wrong; it cannot perjure itself; it cannot be wholly absent. Only its interpretation can err. Only human failure to find it, study and understand it, can diminish its value."-Presiding Judge, Harris v U.S., 331 U.S. 145 (1947) HOW TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE CRIME SCENE WHILE CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION First Unit Responder: A Guide to Physical Evidence Collection for Patrol Officers is a training guide and reference for patrol officers and criminal investigators, who conduct preliminary investigations of crime scenes, to aid in identification, collection, and booking of physical evidence. Written by a veteran of 24 years of law enforcement, the book stresses the importance of understanding the critical nature of physical evidence and preservation of the crime scene as part of the case against a criminal defendant. This book is an important tool for police academies that train recruits and veteran patrol officers, as well as for students of criminal justice who seek guidelines for proper collection and handling of physical evidence.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: CRC-Press; 1 edition (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849300231
• ISBN-13: 978-0849300233
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #905,421 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #35 in

  Books > Home & Garden > How-to & Home Improvements > Security

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rookies or veterans, Cops to firefighters to EMT's, April 17, 2001

By	Terry Runner (Richmond, KY) - See all my reviews

As a law enforcement instructor at a police training facility, I found this book to be fantastic for the new recruits we train. As a retired police officer/Crime Scene Analyst, I also realized it would be great for some veteren officers and non-law enforcement personnel to review. Mark Hawthorne has kept the technical information on an easily understandable level. He has covered, in 90 pages, what would take hours of personal instruction. I found the test questions and answers extremely helpful in preparing reviews. This book can be picked up by the patrol officer, and if READ, could furnish much of the information to properly document most any crime scene. I would recommend this book to any basic law enforcement instructor or new police officer.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Excellent start for novice or those interested in CSI", April 8, 2002

By	Russell A. Rohde MD "Owl" (West Covina, California USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Mark R. Hawthorne's "First Unit Responder," CRC Press 1999, ISBN 0-9493-002-1, is a 6 chapter 98-page guide book for uniformed officers working in the field who frequently are the first to arrive for a potential crime scene investigation(CSI).
Hawthorne gives us an easy-to-read introduction to basic CSI response that includes definition of various physical evidence characteristics (individual versus class), implementation of CSI response protocol (ARISN), identification & documentation of evidence, evidence collection (do's & don'ts), fingerprint/glove appreciation, case review with ADA and testimony tips for the non-specialist officer & a 12-page illustrated appendix showing evidentiary items. Each chapter didactic is followed with a (dozen or so) basic question & answer section with explanations.
The author's impressive credentials in both field and teaching experiences helped condense important basic CSI issues into a short and easily-read synopsis that includes 20 good bibliographic entries and a thorough 6-page index. A few trivial grammatical flaws are readily discharged, but difficult to justify given computers with spell-checkers, etc.

4.0 out of 5 stars A good start., January 2, 2009

By	Bluestatue (The Great Lake State) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

Simple and basic, this book is a good platform for learning about first responder duties. This book is an easy read and could be completed in less than two days.I would recommend this book for the small town officer,recent academy grad, or the experienced officer who may a little out of touch.