Product Description

Widely recognized as the most accurate and comprehensive text in the field, this practical, step-by-step introduction to criminal investigation gives students a logical framework for understanding the investigative process. Major sections cover current issues such as environmental crime, the looting of archaeological sites, videotaping of crime scenes, street gangs, and drugs. Case studies throughout the text emphasize the applied technique of criminal investigation. Graphs, charts, and arresting photographs found throughout the text depict the practical aspects of investigation and help to clarify difficult scientific concepts. The tenth edition has been significantly updated with new content to reflect new statistical data, technology, procedures, and law.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20785 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 800 pages

About the Author
Charles R. "Mike" Swanson received his bachelor and master's degrees in criminology from Florida State University and a doctorate in public administration from the University of Georgia, where he is a faculty member in the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. His primary responsibilities include providing applied research, technical assistance, and training to Georgia units of state and local government. A former patrol officer and detective with the Tampa Police Department, he also served as Senior Police Planner and Acting Deputy Director of the Florida Governor's Law Enforcement Council. Mike has coauthored five books and is the author or coauthor of numerous monographs, articles, and conference papers.

Neil C. Chamelin, an attorney, is a Hearing Officer in the Florida Division of Motor Vehicles. He previously served as Director of Criminal Justice Programs for Troy State University-European Region; Director of the Florida Police Standards and Training Commission,; Division Director, Standards and Training Division; Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Administrator of the Police Science Division, Institute of Government at the University of Georgia; and Director of the Florida Institute for Law Enforcement. He has also served as a police officer in Sarasota, Florida. He is the coauthor of Criminal Law for Police Officers, Introduction to Criminal Justice, and Police Personnel Selection Process.

Leonard Territo is Professor of Criminology at the University of South Florida, Tampa. Previously, he was Chief Deputy of the Leon County, Florida, Sheriff's Office, and Served for nine years in the patrol, traffic, detective, and personnel and training divisions of the Tampa Police Department. He is former Chairperson of the Department of Police Administration at St. Petersburg Junior College, where he also directed specialized continuing education programs for police officers through the Florida Institute for Law Enforcement. He has authored or coauthored numerous articles and technical reports, as well as eight books, including Police Adminstration: Structures, Process, and Behavior, and Crime and Justice in America.

Customer Reviews

Required Reading for the Police Investigators
This book is on the reading list for Massachusetts Civil Service Promotional Exams. I found it to be fascinating, as did most of my colleagues. You name the crime, and this book will show you step by step how to find the evidence, and how to properly handle it when you do find it. Full of diagrams and illustrations to make every concept crystal clear and graphic photos of some heinous crime scenes.

The best in a long line of boring criminal justice books!!!
This book is by far one of the best of the criminal justice books that I have ever read. If it wasn't required reading for my Criminal Investigations class, I just might have picked it up and read it on my own. This book is one of the most interesting and easy to read books that has ever been required reading. The photography in the text helps with the topics in the reading much more than in any other books I've read. Though a bit gruesome, the photos are of great quality and only help the book that much more.

An Excellent Reference
I initially purchased this book as required reading for a Police Sergeant promotional exam but, I realized that it was the most informative text on investigations that I have read to date. The text is very well written and most of the material is applicable in any jurisdiction. The book includes a good number of illustrations and photos and I'm positive that I'll be referring back to this book throughout my career as a police officer.