Forensic Science

February 1, 2007
The popularity of " CSI" and other television programs about forensics has brought patrons to the library seeking more information. This volume provides an introduction to the history of forensic science and the techniques that investigators use to solve crimes.

A lengthy introduction gives a historical overview, with" see" references to articles within the text. The main body of the work contains more than 300 alphabetical entries covering both scientific and legal information. These include famous cases (" Bundy, Ted" ; " Pan Am 103" ); legal decisions (" Frye rule" ); techniques (" Document examination," " High performance liquid chromatography" ); and broad topics, such as " Firearms, Hair," and " Mass disaster victim identification." There are also entries for drugs (" Methamphet" amine), historical topics (" Romanov family" ), types of crimes (" Sexual offenses" ), and scientific ideas (" Objective test" , " Locard's exchange principle" ). Cross-references help users find related material. The introduction and each of the entries have references for further reading, and there is a bibliography of books and Web sites at the volume's end. The handful of illustrations are in black and white.

The authors of this work have a scholarly approach, emphasizing history and defining techniques. Facts on File's " Encyclopedia of Forensic Science" (2003) provides more practical information, explaining how complex tests, such as immunodiffusion, work. It also has color illustrations and feature essays in text boxes. The two works complement each other. Both are more accessible to the general public and far less expensive than the " Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences" (Academic Press, 2000)." Forensic Science" is a useful resource for public and academic libraries. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)