A Fully Revised and Updated Third Edition of the Bestselling Essential Forensic Science Text

Designed for students that are not biology, chemistry, or physics majors, this fully revised and updated Third Edition of the best-selling Criminalistics: Forensic Science, Crime, and Terrorism provides a comprehensive introduction to forensic science, the scientific principles that are the underpinnings of crime analysis, and the practical application of these principles. Essential topics such as fingerprint identification, DNA, ballistics, detection of forgeries, forensic toxicology, computer forensics, and the identification and analysis of illicit drugs are thoroughly explained in a reader-friendly manner. Unlike comparable texts, the Third Edition includes coverage of important terrorism and homeland security issues, including explosives, cybercrime, cyberterrorism, and weapons of mass destruction. The text is also the only book on the market with a detailed description of DNA and CODIS techniques used by professionals.

The updated Third Edition includes all-new and expanded coverage of crime lab procedures. It ties recent high profile crimes such as the capture of the "Grim Sleeper" serial killer and terrorist attacks, such as the Boston Marathon bomb to the forensic work that has been done to apprehend these criminals. The most comprehensive, accessible, and thorough text of its kind on the market, Criminalistics: Forensic Science, Crime, and Terrorism is an essential resource for undergraduate and high-school students entering the ever-evolving field of forensic science.