Product Description

Intro to Forensic Science courses - in CJ, Forensic Science, Chemistry programs Criminalistics aims at making the subject of forensic science comprehensible to a wide variety of readers who are planning on being aligned with the forensic science profession. Written by a very well-known authority in forensic science, this text introduces the non-scientific student to the field of forensic science. Through applications to criminal investigations, clear explanations of the techniques, and the abilities and limitations of modern crime labs, Criminalistics covers the comprehensive realm of forensics. The text strives to make the technology of the modern crime laboratory clear to the non-scientist. Combining case stories with applicable technology, Criminalistics captures the excitement of forensic science investigations.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19667 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 672 pages

Review

“Dr. Richard Saferstein's Criminalistics continues to be the gold standard of forensic science textbooks. He is simply unrivaled in his skill at making the crime lab exciting and accessible to all readers, ranging from forensic scientists and pathologists, to attorneys and judges, to law enforcement, to students and enthusiasts of all ages. I have, since the beginning of my career, relied upon various editions of Criminalistics, its accuracy, integrity and detail never failing me.

This compelling, latest updated edition of Criminalistics should be in every library and classroom, especially now in this era of proliferating forensic scientific advancements that make the impossible possible and mistakes unpardonable.” – Patricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell's recent bestsellers include Predator, Trace and Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper - Case Closed. Her brand-new thriller At Risk will be published by Putnam in May 2006. Patricia Cornwell is Director of Applied Forensic Science at the National Forensic Academy.

From the Back Cover
Criminalistics aims at making the subject of forensic science comprehensible to a wide variety of readers who are planning on being aligned with the forensic science profession.  Written by a very well-known authority in forensic science, this text introduces the non-scientific student to the field of forensic science.  Through applications to criminal investigations, clear explanations of the techniques, and the abilities and limitations of modern crime labs, Criminalistics covers the comprehensive realm of forensics.  The text strives to make the technology of the modern crime laboratory clear to the non-scientist.  Combining case stories with applicable technology, Criminalistics captures the excitement of forensic science investigations.

About the Author

RICHARD SAFERSTEIN, Ph.D., retired in 1991 after serving 21 years as the Chief Forensic Scientist of the New Jersey State Police Laboratory, one of the largest crime laboratories in the United States. He currently acts as a consultant for attorneys and the media in the area of forensic science. During the O.J. Simpson criminal trial, Dr. Saferstein provided extensive commentary on forensic aspects of the case for the Rivera Live show, the E! television network, ABC radio, and various radio talk shows. Dr. Saferstein holds degrees from the City College of New York and earned his doctorate degree in chemistry in 1970 from the City University of New York. From 1972 to 1991, he taught an introductory forensic science course in the criminal justice programs at the College of New Jersey and Ocean County College. These teaching experiences played an influential role in Dr. Saferstein's authorship in 1977 of the widely used introductory textbook Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, currently in this seventh edition. Saferstein's basic philosophy in writing Criminalistics is to make forensic science understandable and meaningful to the nonscience reader, while giving the reader an appreciation for the scientific principles that underlie the subject.

Dr. Saferstein presently teaches a course on the role of the expert witness in the courtroom at the law school of Widener University in Wilmington, Delaware. He has authored or co-authored more than 30 technical papers covering a variety of forensic topics. He has also edited the widely used professional reference books Forensic Science Handbook, Volumes I-III (Prentice Hall, 1982, 1988, 1993) dealing with important forensic science topics. Dr. Saferstein is a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the Forensic Science Society of England, the Canadian Society of Forensic Scientists, the International Association for Identification, the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists, the Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists, the Northwestern Association of Forensic Scientists, and the Society of Forensic Toxicologists.

Customer Reviews

Geat Reading and Information
This book was a required text for a Criminalistic course during my undergraduate studies in Criminal Justice. Now that I am working within the Criminal Justice field - I find myself using this book as a refrence, and loaning to other people within the field.

This book is written in an professional manner and clearly explains various forensic tests that are conducted upon evidence.

I loaned this book to a 11 year old child - who was intrested in this area and he had no problem underdstanding the basic facts and information presented.

Saferstein is an excellent author who has an uncanny abilty to write technical material in a clear and concise manner.

I recommend this book to students, professors, and practitioners in the criminal justice field.

A Great Introduction to Forensic Science!
As textbooks go this is without a doubt the best one that I have ever used. This book manages to explain complicated things such as DNA, and other techniques, and tests that are used during the course of an investigation in simple terms that are easy to understand. Especially if you are new to the idea of Forensic Science. Simple explanations, with colored pictures, diagrams, and case studies help show how different tests, evidence collection, and other aspects of Forensic's are used to help "catch" the bad guy. Again easy to read and understand. Well worth the purchase, you will learn a lot!

Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science
This is without any doubt, in my opinion, the best book ever
written on criminalistics. Not there are not any other great books on the subject, however this is the greatest. It is suprisingly comprehendible considering the complexity of some of the topics involved. The photographs and drawings are crystal clear.
In addition I especially like the test at the end of each section that I feel is necessary to help the reader realize his knowledge,(or lack of knowledge) of that section.