Forensic Science: The Basics, Third Edition

This new edition of Forensic Science: The Basics provides a fundamental background in forensic science as well as criminal investigation and court testimony. It describes how various forms of data are collected, preserved, and analyzed, and also explains how expert testimony based on the analysis of forensic evidence is presented in court.

The book addresses knowledge of the natural and physical sciences while introducing readers to the application of science to the justice system. Each chapter begins by presenting a set of learning objectives, a mini glossary, and acronyms. The book is also structured so that each chapter can stand on its own, allowing for continuous or selected reading and study.

The Third Edition includes:

• Fully updated chapters to reflect current best practices
• Three new chapters on use of detector dogs in forensic science, forensic engineering, and digital evidence and computer forensics
• Case studies throughout that apply concepts to real-world examples

The third edition of Forensic Science: The Basics is an ideal starting point for students with a basic science background but no experience in forensic science. It reinforces basic science knowledge while presenting the foundational aspects of forensic science theory and practice.

Jay A. Siegel holds a PhD in analytical chemistry from The George Washington University and received its Distinguished Faculty Scholar award in 2009. He worked as a forensic chemist with the Virginia Bureau of Forensic Sciences for three years before spending 25 years as a professor and director of the forensic science program in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. In 2003 he went to Indiana University–Purdue University as founder and director of the forensic and investigative sciences program in the School of Science. In 2008 he was named the chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. He retired in 2012. Dr. Siegel is the co-editor of Forensic Science Policy and Management: An International Journal and Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences, Second Edition, the co-author of Fundamentals of Forensic Science, and the author of Forensic Science: A Beginner’s Guide. He has testified over 200 times in federal and military courts, and was named distinguished fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in 2009.

Kathy Mirakovits teaches forensic science and physics at Portage Northern High School in Portage, Michigan, and physics at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Michigan. She holds an MS in science education from Western Michigan University. She has taught general science, physical science, chemistry, biology, earth science, and physics at the high school and two-year college level for 25 years. She also conducts workshops across the United States for teachers who wish to learn the application of forensic science in a school curriculum. She has developed numerous forensic science educational products and has led workshops at the National Science Teachers Association. Kathy has served as president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Association of Physics Teachers and as a curriculum writer for the Michigan Department of Education. She is currently the high school director for the Michigan Science Teachers Association. She received the RadioShack Science Teaching Award and is a state finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching.