Crime Scene Investigation and Reconstruction

<p><em>Crime Scene Investigation and Reconstruction: An Illustrated Manual and Field Guide</em> provides methodologies to help investigators to think broadly when seeking out evidence at a scene and likewise utilize all the information from a case—especially the observable physical evidence besides what are collectable in reconstructing events.</p><p>In the introductory chapters the author highlights the importance of crime scene reconstruction when answering the question “How something could have happened?” From there he goes on to explain the principles of exchange identification individualization and reconstruction. Here the “observe-hypothesize” model proposed in this field-guide is presented: outlining how every source of information ranging from laboratory reports opinions from medical doctors statements of witnesses and confessions of suspects should be reconcilable with the evidence-based reconstruction made in the crime scene. In this the author contends that qualified crime scene generalists are the ideal professionals to frame scientific hypothesis and to make reconstructions. Practical recommendations based on best-practice general crime scene procedures are provided while the second half of the book illustrate and outline how to deal with various types of major crime scenes including fire deaths exhuming buried human remains sexual assaults death by electrocution explosion drowning poisoning hanging and more.</p><p>Since a picture is a worth thousand words over 400 collective photographs and sketches are included throughout the book to illustrate the observational methods that are described. In addition the field-guide provides several easy-to-follow flow-charts to serve as checklists to aid scene investigation in major types of crime scene. In this Crime <em>Scene Investigation and Reconstruction: An Illustrated Manual and Field Guide</em> will help investigators readily recognize similar manifestations in crime scenes and to apply and use such techniques appropriately in their own work. </p>