The fields of criminalistics, forensic odontology, forensic pathology, forensic anthropology, questioned document examination, and forensic toxicology are addressed in separate chapters by leading figures in each area.
The objective of this state-of-the-art manual is to improve the quality of forensic sciences by helping police, attorneys, prosecutors, and judges to understand and use these services to their greatest advantage. Each chapter begins with an executive summary, then outlines in nontechnical language the definition and scope of the particular discipline, the current capabilities and limitations, developing areas within the field, and critical issues facing practitioners. The kind of evidence examined and the scientific techniques used in each discipline are described at length. In some cases, tables and figures are provided for illustration. A glossary of terms, a list of legal citations, and a bibliography are provided with each chapter.