Fundamentals of Forensic Science

680 Pages·2010·13.14 MB·English

by  Max M. Houck

Fundamentals of Forensic
Science
Second Edition
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Fundamentals of
Forensic Science
Second Edition
Max M. Houck
Director, Forensic Science Initiative, Research Office
Director, Forensic Business Development,
College of Business and Economics
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
Jay A. Siegel
Chair, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Director, Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program
Indiana University Purdue University
Indianapolis, Indiana
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Notices
Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience broaden
our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment may become
necessary.
Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating and
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Houck, Max M.
Fundamentals of forensic science / Max M. Houck, Jay A. Siegel. – 2nd ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-12-374989-5 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Forensic sciences. 2. Criminal investigation.
I. Siegel, Jay A. II. Title.
HV8073.H77 2010
363.25--dc22 2009037955
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN: 978-0-12- 374989-5
For information on all Academic Press publications
visit our Web site at www.elsevierdirect.com
Printed in China.
09 10 11 12 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Dedication
For my father, Max W. Houck (1917-2008), my biggest fan.
—M. M. Houck
To my mother, Mae Siegel (1918-2009) and my wife Margaret Wilke,
my life partner and inspiration.
—J. A. Siegel
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Contents
Foreword ..........................................................................................................ix
Acknowledgments ..........................................................................................xi
Preface to the Second Edition ......................................................................xiii
Preface to the First Edition ............................................................................xv
I. Criminal Justice and Forensic Science .....................................................1
1. Introduction ...............................................................................................3
2. Crime Scene Investigation .....................................................................29
3. The Nature of Evidence ..........................................................................49
II. Analytical Tools ......................................................................................75
4. Microscopy ..............................................................................................77
5. Light and Matter .....................................................................................99
6. Separation Methods ............................................................................123
III. Biological Sciences ...............................................................................155
7. Pathology ..............................................................................................157
8. Anthropology and Odontology ..........................................................181
9. Entomology ..........................................................................................211
10. Serology and Bloodstain Pattern Analysis ........................................229
11. DNA Analysis ........................................................................................255
12. Forensic Hair Examinations ................................................................283
IV. Chemical Sciences ................................................................................303
13. Illicit Drugs ...........................................................................................305
14. Forensic Toxicology ..............................................................................341
15. Textile Fibers.........................................................................................369
16. Paint Analysis .......................................................................................391
17. Soil and Glass .......................................................................................409
18. Fires and Explosions ............................................................................431
V. Physical Sciences ..................................................................................471
19. Friction Ridge Examination ................................................................473
20. Questioned Documents.......................................................................501
21. Firearms and Tool Marks .....................................................................529
22. Impression Evidence ............................................................................559
vii
Contents
VI. Law and Forensic Science ....................................................................577
23. Legal Aspects of Forensic Science ......................................................579
Glossary ........................................................................................................613
Index .............................................................................................................633
viii
Foreword
Whether it is a small town in Middle America or one of the world’s largest
cities, forensic science continues to play a vital role in providing scientific
and technical information to assist the judge, jury, prosecutor, defense
attorney, investigator, and/or intelligence analyst. From burglaries to
bombings, forensic science—and the multitude of disciplines that provide
the foundation to forensic science—is not only fast becoming a resource
used after a crime has been committed, but now is contributing greatly to the
body of intelligence that will prevent future crimes and acts of terrorism. Such
investigations require expertise in many different fields, and the authors have
brought their knowledge and experience to meet a changing and challenging
focus on crime and its prevention. Fundamentals of Forensic Science provides
a much needed resource for those beginning an education in forensic science
and its intersection with solving crime and acts of terrorism and contributing
to a body of intelligence to prevent such acts.
Although popular television provides the quick and glamorous side of
forensic science, forensic science education today does not create anyone
resembling Abby Sciuto, the fictional forensic scientist capable of doing it
all in the NCIS television series by CBS Television. Instead, forensic science
education is a broad array of disciplines based on the fundamentals of
art, biology, chemistry, digital evidence, evidence collection, footwear
impressions, gunshot residue, hairs, and so on. Forensic science education is
changing to meet the need of an evolving set of broad disciplines comprising
the very popular and critical field of forensic science. Fundamentals of Forensic
Science is an excellent example of both the breadth of forensic science and
the amalgamation of science, art, technology, and law.
Forensic science in institutions of higher education can no longer remain
sequestered in one department. Rather, forensic science education is as broad
as the entire university or college, and its focus should be interdisciplinary
in nature just as this book portrays. I have known and worked with the
authors for a number of years, and their contributions as forensic scientists,
caseworkers, administrators, and academicians provide substantial credibility
to this work. The authors, with their years of experience, have expertly
configured the textbook to begin at a crime scene (after a brief historical tour)
followed by thorough descriptions of the myriad of disciplines that make
forensic science a remarkable career for today’s students.
In addition to traditional forensic science disciplines like fingerprints, DNA,
and trace evidence, Fundamentals of Forensic Science also includes less
common topics (e.g., forensic anthropology, forensic entomology, and the
legal aspects of forensic science), but nonetheless critical in today’s forensic
science laboratories. Fundamentals of Forensic Science will contribute greatly
ix