Ebook: Forensics For Dummies

Part 1. Cracking open the case. Understanding the world of forensic science ; Getting to know the forensics team ; Collecting and protecting the evidence ; Delving into the criminal mind -- Part 2. Analyzing the evidence. Fingerprints : your personal signature ; Painting a gruesome picture : bloodstain analysis ; Leaving impressive impressions : shoes, tires, and tools ; Burning down the house : is it arson? -- Part 3. Examining the body. Determining the cause and manner of death : forensic autopsies ; Identifying unknown victims ; Estimating the time of death ; Ouch! that hurts : traumatic injuries and deaths ; Gasping for air : asphyxia -- Part 4. Utilizing the crime lab. Analyzing blood and other bodily fluids : serology ; Looking deep inside : DNA analysis ; Testing for drugs and poisons : the toxicology lab ; Picking apart trace evidence ; Bang! Bang! : analyzing firearms evidence ; Questioning the validity of documents -- Part 5. The part of tens. Ten famous forensic cases ; Ten ways Hollywood gets it wrong ; Ten great forensic careers.;Forensics For Dummies takes you inside the world of crime scene investigation to give you the low down on this exciting field. Written by a doctor and former Law & Order consultant, this guide will have you solving crimes along with your favorite TV shows in no time. From fingerprints and fibers to blood and ballistics, you'll walk through the processes that yield significant information from the smallest clues. You'll learn how Hollywood gets it wrong, and how real-world forensics experts work every day in fields as diverse as biology, psychology, anthropology, medicine, information technology, and more. If you're interested in a forensics career, you'll find out how to break in--and the education you'll need to do the type of forensics work that interests you the most. Written for the true forensics fan, this book doesn't shy away from the details; you'll learn what goes on at the morgue as you determine cause of death, and you'll climb into the mind of a killer as you learn how forensic psychologists narrow down the suspect list. Crime shows are entertaining, but the reality is that most forensics cases aren't wrapped up in an hour. This book shows you how it's really done, and the amazing technology and brilliant people that do it every day.