Introduction to Forensic Science and Criminalistics

This Second Edition covers forensic practice from a broad viewpoint. The book continues the tradition of the First, originally developed as an introductory text, particularly for non-science practitioners to develop a working understanding of forensic science. This includes both what crime scene evidence can be unearthed as part of an investigation, as well as an adjudication of both criminal and civil cases once evidence has been scientifically analyzed using practiced and proven methods. All is fully updated in areas that have advanced since the last edition: DNA, evidence collection, chemical testing, and computer forensics, including cell phone and handheld device technology.

Howard A. Harris is currently a full-time faculty member of the Forensic Science Program at the University of New Haven. From fall 1996 through fall of 2003 he was the Director of the Forensic Science Program. His educational background is in chemistry (A.B. Western Reserve University, M.S. and Ph. D. Yale University) and law (J.D. St. Louis University). He was admitted to and has maintained his membership in the Missouri Bar. Dr. Harris was a research chemist for seven years for the Shell Oil Company, before entering the forensic field as the Director of the New York City Police Department Police Laboratory in January of 1974. He held that position for just under twelve years. During that time he was active in the field both locally and nationally. He was one of the founding members of the Northeastern Association of Forensic Scientists. He held offices in the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) culminating in the Presidency. He was active in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), having presented many papers and an invited Plenary Lecture, and was elected a Fellow. In addition to his scientific activities he was also active in the business of Criminalistics section of the AAFS and held a number of positions culminating in Chairmanship. He was awarded the Mary Cowan Award for distinguished service to the Criminalistics Section in 1997.

Dr. Henry C. Lee is one of the world’s foremost forensic scientists. Dr. Lee’s work has made him a landmark in modern-day forensic sciences. He has been a prominent player in many of the most challenging cases of the last 50 years. Dr. Lee has worked with law enforcement agencies from 46 countries in helping to solve more than 8000 cases. In recent years, his travels have taken him to England, Bosnia, China, Germany, Singapore, Croatia, Brunei, Thailand, Middle East and other locations around the world.Dr. Lee’s testimony figured prominently in the O. J. Simpson, Jason Williams, Peterson, and Kennedy Smith trials, and in convictions of the “Woodchipper” murderer as well as thousands of other murder cases. Dr. Lee has assisted local and state police in their investigations of other famous crimes, such as the murder of Jon Benet Ramsey in Boulder, Colorado, the 1993 suicide of White House Counsel Vincent Foster, Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart, Death of Chemdra Levy and the reinvestigation of the Kennedy assassination. Dr. Lee was the Chief Emeritus for Connecticut State Police during 2000 to 2010 and was the Commissioner of Public Safety for the State of Connecticut during 1998 to 2000 and has served as that state’s Chief Criminalist from 1978 to 2000. Dr. Lee is currently the director of Forensic Research and Training Center and Distinguished Professor in Forensic Science of University of New Haven and has been with the school since he created its forensic science program in 1975.