A practical accessible and informative guide to the science of criminal investigations.Covering the fundamentals science history and analysis of clues The Handy Forensic Science Answer Book Reading Clues at the Crime Scene Crime Lab and in Court provides detailed information on crime scene investigations techniques laboratory finding the latest research and controversies. It looks at the science of law enforcement how evidence is gathered processed analyzed and viewed in the courtroom and more. From the cause manner time of a death and autopsies to blood toxicology DNA typing fingerprints ballistics tool marks tread impressions and trace evidence it takes the reader through the many sides of a death investigation. Arson accidents computer crimes criminal profiling and much much more are also addressed. The Handy Forensic Science Answer Book gives realworld examples and looks at what Hollywood gets right and wrong. It provides the history of the science and it introduces the scientists behind breakthroughs. An easytouse and informative reference it brings the complexity of a criminal investigation into focus and provides wellresearched answers to over 950 common questions such as ... What is the difference between cause of death and manner of death How did a persons skull fit into criminal evidence in the early 1800s When were fingerprints first used to identify a criminal How is the approximate time of death of a crime scene victim determined What is forensic serology What is the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System Can a forensics expert look at skeletal remains and tell whether the person was obese How can a simple knot analyzed in the crime lab be used as evidence Can fingerprints be permanently changed or destroyed How fast does a bullet travel How was a chemical analysis of ink important in the conviction of Martha Stewart What types of data are often retrieved from a crime scene cellphone Can analyses similar to those used in forensics be used to