So You Want to be a CSI?

- CHAPTER 1: BEFORE ENTERING THE CRIME SCENE
- Background Brief
- Crime Scene Investigation in Real Life
- In the Beginning: The Bill of Rights
- Exceptions to a Search Warrant
- Laws Regarding Forensic Testimony
- The Bottom Line
- CHAPTER 2: THE ROLE OF FIRST RESPONDERS AND CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATORS
- The Point of this Chapter
- First Responders
- Universal Precautions
- Infectious Diseases and Airborne Pathogens
- Police Officer Role
- Crime Scene Investigator Role
- Other Forensic Science Disciplines
- Education
- Forensic Organizations
- Certifications
- Performing the duties of the position
- Initial Survey of the Scene
- Recognizing Potential Evidence
- 360-degree survey
- Types of Evidence
- Classifications of Evidence
- Reminders
- The Bottom Line
- CHAPTER 3: CRIME SCENE SEARCH
- Linkage Theory
- Locard's Principle
- Scene Walk-Through
- Crime Scene Search Techniques
- The Bottom Line
- CHAPTER 4: CRIME SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY
- Background Brief
- Digital Cameras
- Crime Scene Photography
- Evidence Placards
- Documentation Strategies
- Photographing People
- Perspectives and Lighting
- Environmental Challenges
- Digital Enhancement
- Videography
- The Bottom Line
- CHAPTER 5: DOCUMENTATION AND EVIDENCE RECOVERY
- The Point of This Chapter
- Common Forms and Logs
- Chain of Custody
- Barcoding Systems for Evidence Management
- Other Documentation
- Packaging of Evidence
- When Considering Packaging Options, Ask Yourself These Questions
- Digital Evidence Recovery
- Accreditation
- The Bottom Line
- CHAPTER 6: CRIME SCENE SKETCHING
- Rough Sketch vs. Final Sketch
- Scope of the Scene
- Types of Scenes
- Equipment for Sketching
- Three Different Traditional Measurement Systems
- Three Types of Traditional Sketches
- The Bottom Line
- CHAPTER 7: BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE: DNA FAQ
- Historical Brief
- OK. I Guess My Next Question Should Be About What DNA Is, but I Don't Need a Thesis Either!
- Seriously? You're Going to Throw More Big Words My Way for Me to Explain to the Jury?
- What Kinds of Biological Stuff Has DNA in It?
- Where Do I Look to Find DNA at the Crime Scene?
- What Can I Use to Help Find Biological Materials?
- What If It Looks Like a Biological Fluid, but We Aren't Sure?
- Once I Find Biologicals, How Do I Recover the Evidence Properly?
- What If the Biological Fluid Is Already Dry?
- Should I Swab the Whole Blood Drop up to Make Sure I Get It All?
- This DNA Typing Is Fantastic! I'm Just Gonna Swab Everything I Recover!
- What Is Touch DNA?
- Who Decides What Evidence Is Processed for DNA?
- So, CSIs Recover the DNA, and Labs Process the DNA, but How Do We Find out Who Matches the DNA Profile?
- How Long Does It Take From DNA Recovery on the Scene to the Arrest of the Suspect?
- The Bottom Line
- CHAPTER 8: FINGERPRINTS
- The Point of This Chapter
- Basics of Fingerprints
- What Are Fingerprints?
- Morphology/Physiology
- Types of Prints as Evidence (Latent, Patent, Plastic, Etched, Inked)
- Fingerprint Patterns
- Fingerprint Classification
- Latent Prints
- Surfaces
- Chemicals
- Photographing Latent Prints
- No Prints
- Latent Print Examination
- Comparison
- Evaluation
- Verification
- Known to Known Comparison
- Automated Fingerprint Identification System
- Deceased Fingerprints
- The Geek Aspect of Latent Prints
- The Bottom Line
- Activities
- Questions
- References
- CHAPTER 9: IMPRESSION EVIDENCE
- Historical Impression Evidence
- Types of Impression Evidence
- Footwear Impressions
- Examination Quality Photographs for Impression Evidence
- Casting Impressions
- Special Circumstances When Casting
- Snow Impressions
- Impressions Made in Blood
- Tire Track Impressions
- Track and Trail
- Toolmark Impressions
- Fabric Impressions
- The Bottom Line
- CHAPTER 10: TRACE EVIDENCE
- What is Trace Evidence?
- Types of Evidence
- Common Types of Trace Evidence
- What do the results mean?
- Hairs and Fibers
- Paint
- Glass
- Soil
- Additional Examples of Trace Evidence
- Historical Problems with Trace Evidence
- Activity
- References
- CHAPTER 11: FIREARMS EVIDENCE
- Historical Brief: A Tale of Two Ballistic Examiners
- Safety First
- Types of Firearms
- Terminology and How Firearms Work
- Recovering a Firearm
- Ballistics
- CHAPTER 12: DEATH INVESTIGATION
- Historical Brief
- Physical Trauma and Death Investigations
- Physical Trauma
- Sharp Force
- Gunshot Wounds
- Blunt Force
- Death Investigations
- Time of Death Estimations
- Decomposition
- The Bottom Line
- CHAPTER 13: RECONSTRUCTION
- Historical Brief
- Reconstruction
- Trajectory Analysis
- Reconstruction with Glass Fracture Evidence
- Blood Pattern Interpretation
- CHAPTER 14: LOOKING BACK, AND THE PATH FORWARD
- Taking the 'Junk' Out of 'Junk Science'
- Perceptions of CSIs
- Coping Mechanisms
- The Bottom Line
- References
- GLOSSARY
- INDEX