Forensic science
Andrew R. W. Jackson and Julie M. Jackson
Harlow: Pearson Education 2004 | Pp395 | £26.99 | ISBN0 130 43251 2
Reviewed by Brian Caddy

The proliferation of university courses in forensic science has enabled the authors of this volume to identify a need for a forensic text aimed at first-year students. This book goes a long way to meeting this need. 

This is a well-produced textbook with a well thought out structure of 13 chapters, which take the reader from the crime scene to court. The structure of each chapter follows a set pattern beginning with the aims of the chapter, followed by a short introduction to the topic and a description of the subject matter at a level required for first-year undergraduates. Each chapter ends with a summary of what students should have learned, a list of problems to be solved and a short bibliography for students who want to expand their knowledge. 

To demonstrate the practical relevance of topics forensic case studies are used, eg the Jill Dando case illustrates the use of discharge residues from firearms. Readers can gain more information by reading the ‘Boxes’ in each chapter, which are set out in such a way that those not wanting to take advantage of the additional material can bypass this and still gain much from the text. Additionally, from time to time in the margins, the main points the authors want to emphasise are highlighted. The book is supported by a website designed for all those wanting to develop their knowledge in particular areas of forensic science. The illustrations, tables and diagrams are of good quality and make the text easy and interesting to read. 

Since the book is directed at the teaching of forensic science it does not deal with the deeper and wider aspects of chemistry. Students taking such courses will require their education to be strengthened in this area. The volume is remarkably free from errors but I would question the identification of benzodiazepine drugs as acidic. The chapters are well written particularly those relating to the crime scene and DNA, the latter being provided by a guest writer. 

I recommend this book to all first-year forensic science students, but it also has something to say to those in more advanced years and even postgraduates. Lawyers, scene of crime investigators and police officers should also find this book of considerable interest.