All new hands-on demonstrations and fictional minute mysteries illustrate chemical concepts as the authors present the science--and the realities--of forensic chemistry in a narrative style that makes this timely topic accessible to the nonchemist.

Papers from a symposium "Chemistry in Crime--Fact and Fiction"

An exploration of poison's transformation into chemical crime during the nineteenth century and the impact on crime fiction and Victorian perceptions of science.

The Science of Crime Scenes, Second Edition offers a science-based approach to crime scenes, emphasizing that understanding is more important than simply knowing. Without sacrificing technical details, the book adds significantly to the philosophy and theory of crime scene science. This new edition addresses the science behind the scenes and demonstrates the latest methods and technologies with updated figures and images. It covers the philosophy of the crime scene, the personnel involved at a scene (including the media), the detection of criminal traces and their reconstruction, and special crime scenes, such as mass disasters and terroristic events. Written by an international trio of authors with decades of crime scene experience, this book is the next generation of crime scene textbooks. This volume will serve both as a textbook for forensic programs, and as an excellent reference for forensic practitioners and crime scene technicians with science backgrounds. - Includes in-depth coverage of disasters and mass murder, terror crime scenes and CBRN (Chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear) – topics not covered in any other text - Includes an instructor site with lecture slides, images and links to resources for teaching and training

This sequel to the best-selling Chemistry and Crime presents the development of major forensic methods and their basis in academic science. It covers forensic disciplines and techniques such as detection of arsenic, forensic toxicology, dust analysis, examination of arson evidence, and DNA typing. It also illustrates the use of forensic science testimony for courtroom cases and provides a history of DNA applications by one of the leading practitioners, David H. Bing. A review of the field by the late Ralph Turner provides an historical perspective of forensic science. The book also includes an entertaining discussion of forensic science in detective fiction by S.M. Gerber.

A concise, robust introduction to the various topics covered by the discipline of forensic chemistry The Forensic Chemistry Handbook focuses on topics in each of the major chemistry-related areas of forensic science. With chapter authors that span the forensic chemistry field, this book exposes readers to the state of the art on subjects such as serology (including blood, semen, and saliva), DNA/molecular biology, explosives and ballistics, toxicology, pharmacology, instrumental analysis, arson investigation, and various other types of chemical residue analysis. In addition, the Forensic Chemistry Handbook: Covers forensic chemistry in a clear, concise, and authoritative way Brings together in one volume the key topics in forensics where chemistry plays an important role, such as blood analysis, drug analysis, urine analysis, and DNA analysis Explains how to use analytical instruments to analyze crime scene evidence Contains numerous charts, illustrations, graphs, and tables to give quick access to pertinent information Media focus on high-profile trials like those of Scott Peterson or Kobe Bryant have peaked a growing interest in the fascinating subject of forensic chemistry. For those readers who want to understand the mechanisms of reactions used in laboratories to piece together crime scenes—and to fully grasp the chemistry behind it—this book is a must-have.

Draws upon students' interest in and enthusiasm for solving mysteries to convey important scientific concepts, methods, and techniques.

Molecules of Murder is about infamous murderers and famous victims; about people like Harold Shipman, Alexander Litvinenko, Adelaide Bartlett, and Georgi Markov. Few books on poisons analyse these crimes from the viewpoint of the poison itself, doing so throws a new light on how the murders or attempted murders were carried out and ultimately how the perpetrators were uncovered and brought to justice. Part I includes molecules which occur naturally and were originally used by doctors before becoming notorious as murder weapons. Part II deals with unnatural molecules, mainly man-made, and they too have been dangerously misused in famous crimes. The book ends with the most famous poisoning case in recent years, that of Alexander Litvinenko and his death from polonium chloride. The first half of each chapter starts by looking at the target molecule itself, its discovery, its history, its chemistry, its use in medicine, its toxicology, and its effects on the human body. The second half then investigates a famous murder case and reveals the modus operandi of the poisoner and how some were caught, some are still at large, and some literally got away with murder. Molecules of Murder will explain how forensic chemists have developed cunning ways to detect minute traces of dangerous substances, and explain why some of these poisons, which appear so life-threatening, are now being researched as possible life-savers. Award winning science writer John Emsley has assembled another group of true crime and chemistry stories to rival those of his highly acclaimed Elements of Murder.

Chemistry/Forensic Science Forensic chemistry is a subdiscipline of forensic science, its principles guide the analyses performed in modern forensic laboratories. Forensic chemistry’s roots lie in medico-legal investigation, toxicology and microscopy and have since led the development of modern forensic analytic techniques and practices for use in a variety of applications. Introduction to Forensic Chemistry is the perfect balance of testing methods and application. Unlike other competing books on the market, coverage is neither too simplistic, nor overly advanced making the book ideal for use in both undergraduate and graduate courses. The book introduces chemical tests, spectroscopy, advanced spectroscopy, and chromatography to students. The second half of the book addresses applications and methods to analyze and interpret controlled substances, trace evidence, questioned documents, firearms, explosives, environmental contaminants, toxins, and other topics. The book looks at innovations in the field over time including the latest development of new discernible chemical reactions, instrumental tools, methods, and more. Key features: Nearly 300 full-color figures illustrating key concepts and over 20 case studies Addresses all the essential topics without extraneous or overly advanced coverage Includes full pedagogy of chapter objectives, key terms, lab problems, end of chapter questions, and additional readings to emphasize key learning points Includes chemical structures and useful spectra as examples Fulfils the forensic chemistry course requirement in FEPAC-accredited programs Includes a chapter on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) materials Comprehensive and accessible, without being overly technical, Introduction to Forensic Chemistry will be a welcome addition to the field and an ideal text designed for both the student user and professor in mind. Course ancillaries including an Instructor’s Manual with Test Bank and chapter PowerPoint® lecture slides are available with qualified course adoption.

In its new second edition, Investigating Chemistry: A Forensic Science Perspective remains the only book that uses the inherently fascinating topics of crime and criminal investigations as a context for teaching the fundamental chemical concepts most often covered in an introductory nonmajors course. Covering all the standard topics, Matthew Johll capitalizes on the surge of interest in the scientific investigation of crime (as sparked by CSI and other television shows), bringing together the theme of forensic science and the fundamentals of chemistry in ways that are effective and accessible for students. This edition features refined explanations of the chemical concepts, which are the core of the book, as well as a more thoroughly integrated forensic theme, updated features, and an expanded media/supplements package.