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Criminalistics
What is Criminalistics?Although the term criminalistics is often used interchangeably with the term forensic science, it is in fact as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) acknowledge a distinct discipline that operates along with other disciplines under the umbrella of forensic science. According to the American Board of Criminalistics, criminalistics is defined as that profession and scientific discipline directed to the recognition, identification, individualization, and evaluation of physical evidence by application of the physical and natural sciences to law-science matters. In outlining the type of work criminalists undertake the AAFS note that 'criminalists analyze, compare, identify, and interpret physical evidence' and that 'The main role of the criminalist is to objectively apply the techniques of the physical and natural sciences to examine physical evidence'. In relation to physical evidence, The following passage form the AAFS demonstrates the diverse nature of criminalistics. 'Physical evidence may be anything: evidence so small that a microscope is needed to see it, or as large as a truck. It may be as subtle as a whiff of a flammable gas at an arson scene or as obvious as a pool of blood at a homicide scene. The enormous range of material challenges the ingenuity of the criminalist who examines and identifies hair, fibers, blood, seminal and body fluid stains, alcohol, drugs, paint, glass, botanicals, soil, flammables, and safe insulating material; restores smeared or smudged markings; and identifies firearms and compares bullets, tool markings, and foot prints.' Click Here To Read The Excellent AAFS Guide to Criminalistics in Full Key Figure in Criminalistics: Paul. L. Kirk
Paul Leland Kirk was Emeritus Professor of Criminalistics at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB). During his tenure, Kirk was instrumental in establishing criminalistics as an academic discipline. Kirk's interest in the application of scientific knowledge within a criminal investigation led to the publication of the landmark text Crime Investigation Physical Evidence and the Police Laboratory in 1953. Paul Leland Kirk died on the 5th of June 1970 the following passage is taken from his obituary. If he wished to be remembered for any one thing, it would be for his contribution to criminalistics. Indeed, the very term “criminalistics” has come into usage largely through his efforts, and it was he who established the first academic program in criminalistics in the United States. He brought to the profession an insight and scientific rigor rarely seen before his time. Criminalist Articles
Great article from 1947 by Andrew Boone featuring criminalist Paul L Kirk. Criminalists: Catching Criminals By A Hair Essential Criminalistics ReadingCriminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science by Richard Saferstein
Editorial 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 Back Cover Text 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. See following link for more details: Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science (College Edition) (9th Edition) Visitors From The UK Click Here Quality Criminalistics Linksthe American Board of Criminalistics
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