True crime and serial killer expert David Elio Malocco (author of Who’s Who Serial Killers, The Top 100) has produced a magic little book here on Forensic Science and Crime Scene Analysis.
The author is a former top criminal lawyer with dual degrees in law and psychology and diplomas in criminal profiling and forensic science.
The book is essentially an introduction to Forensic Science and is the perfect companion for anyone interested in studying forensic science or crime scene analysis; anyone who writes about crime; lawyers, solicitors and barristers involved in criminal law; anyone involved in law enforcement or, in fact, anyone who reads crime novels or watches crime programs on television.
Just how accurate are crime programs like CSI: New York, True Detective, Criminal Minds and Dexter? Apparently, there are far removed from reality and mask the clear division of labor which exists between crime science investigators and law enforcement operatives.
The book is packed full of information and is written in a very easy to read and witty style – nothing like a text book. It also contains a very helpful Glossary of Terms at the back as well as a comprehensive list of reference books for the serious student.
The first part of the book deals with crime scene analysis – what happens at a crime scene, or as David Elio Malocco puts it – “what’s supposed to happen” and covers the basics like crime scene definition, recognition and documentation. It lists exactly the sort of evidence crimes scene investigators look for at a crime scene.
The second part is an introduction to forensic science. Once the evidence is collected at the crime various procedures and tests are carried out in the laboratory to help link the evidence to the crime. It covers such diverse topics as fingerprints, firearms, ballistics, computers, autopsies, forensic pathology, poisons and forensic toxicology, the identification of decaying bodies and skeletons, cranio-facial reconstruction, serology, fraud, DNA and cyber crime as well as providing a very comprehensive section on search warrants and other aspect of law and criminal evidence.
But, perhaps the most enjoyable chapter is the tongue in cheek one entitled Committing the Perfect Crime which could have been called Everything You Need to Know about How Not to get Caught but were Afraid to Ask.
The book is a classic companion for anyone interested in crime.
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