Crime Scene to Court

The Essentials of Forensic Science

: Peter C White (Editor)
ISBN: 978-1-84755-882-4
Copyright: 2010
Format: Paperback
Extent: 600
Edition Number: 3
Price: £29.95

Synopsis

Forensic science has been variously described as fascinating, challenging and even frightening. If you have only a vague concept of what forensic science is, this book will provide the answer. Widely regarded as the best in its field, this unique book is the only one of its kind with contributions from over twenty specialised practitioners all recognised experts in their profession.

The third edition has been thoroughly up-dated to reflect the advances in technology and the introduction of new methods and quality standards. There is a process emphasis throughout the book, and all chapters have either been reworked or completely rewritten in this truly absorbing new edition. Three new chapters on forensic ecology, forensic entomology, and forensic archaeology and anthropology have also been added to demonstrate their role in some recent high profile cases. It covers all three main areas of an investigation where forensic science is practised, namely the scene of the crime, the forensic laboratory, and the court.

Each chapter is written in an accessible style and contains a bibliography for those wishing to delve deeper into the subject. Ideal for those studying forensic science or law, the book is intended primarily for teaching and training purposes. However, anyone with a role in an investigation, including those with little or no scientific knowledge, will find this text an excellent source of information.

Author Information

Peter C. White started his career with Glaxo Laboratories as a research organic chemist. He then moved into analytical chemistry and the development of chromatographic techniques. After 6 years, he moved to the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory in London carrying out research and development on separation and detection methods to solve casework problems. During that time, he obtained a PhD on the development of novel mutli-wavelength detection methods and was made a fellow of the RSC. Fifteen years later, he moved to the Forensic Science Unit at the University of Strathclyde where he taught undergraduate and postgraduate students. His research at the University centred on the development of Raman spectroscopic techniques for ultratrace detection of solutes of forensic interest. He was appointed Director of the Unit but left in 2003 to become a Professor of Science at the University of Lincoln where he continued with his Raman research interests. In 2006, he was appointed a Fellow of the Forensic Science Society. Professor White took early retirement in 2009 and now runs his own forensic and analytical research consultancy. He has over 60 published papers, several book chapters and 8 patents to his name. He has also been invited to lecture at, and chair, many international conferences. Crime Scene to Court was his inspiration and he Edited both previous editions of the book.

Reviews

'if one were to ask one hundred forensic scientists to define forensic science it is possible that one would receive one hundred different definitions'. Peter White, the editor, has done an excellent job once again in bringing together a collection of chapters which explore and explain this great diversity. The new chapters addressing techniques are forensic ecology, forensic entomology and forensic archaeology and forensic anthropology. It is clear from this book that forensic science is at its best when groups of specialists collaborate. I commend this book to students and practitioners of forensic science and indeed to all with an interest in the subject.
Source : Chemistry World, January 2011, Matthew Almond,