The highly publicized O.J. Simpson trial helped spark an interest in the application of science to criminal investigations, leading to popular TV shows, books, and movies on the topic. Enrollment in forensic science educational programs soared, and new academic programs sprouted everywhere.
Science versus Crime provides an insider's look at how crimes are solved with the help of forensic science. Offering students a peek at the many investigations that have revolutionized this field of study, this new book explores the pioneers of forensic science, how evidence is collected and analyzed, the science of DNA, fingerprinting, and more. Written by a well-respected forensic scientist with extensive experience in this field, this fascinating volume covers the important cases and procedures that govern scientific evidence: testimony, admissibility hearings, and how the law and scientific evidence intersect in a courtroom.
Science versus Crime is an essential book for middle- and high-school students, providing them with a thorough understanding of what forensic science is and how it can assist in crime fighting.
Chapters include:- Forensic Science: In and Out of the Laboratory
- History and Pioneers
- What Is Evidence?
- Microscopy
- Spectroscopy
- Chromatography
- Forensic DNA
- Fingerprints
- Firearms Examination
- Testimony and Report Writing.
MAX M. HOUCK is the Director of the Forensic Science Initiative, a program that develops research and professional training for forensic scientists and professionals in related fields. He is a trace evidence expert and forensic anthropologist who was assigned to the Trace Evidence Unit at the FBI Laboratory from 1992 to 2001. Houck is also Director of Forensic Business Development at West Virginia University and serves as Chairman of the Forensic Science Educational Program Accreditation Commission. He serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Forensic Sciences and the Journal of Forensic Identification. He is the author or editor of Fundamentals of Forensic Science, Mute Witnesses: Trace Evidence Analysis, and other books and articles.