Blood, Guts, and More (Essentials of Forensic Science)

This title presents an insightful look at an exciting area of forensic science. Each chapter in this new book provides an overview that briefly introduces readers to basic concepts in forensic science, allowing them to understand how this biological science sheds light on issues in legal cases. In addition to identifying and DNA typing in blood and other body fluids, blood patterns at violent crime scenes are helpful in reconstructing events. The forensic science specialty of criminalistics is also discussed in this comprehensive resource."Blood, Guts, and More" offers readers a chance to learn how to solve forensic science cases. Occupying the largest part of this book, the 'blood' section covers the identification of blood and body fluids (determining their origin as human or animal), DNA typing, and blood-spatter patterns. Entomology ('bugs') is a specialty that uses knowledge about insect life cycles to inform death investigations. A section on botany looks at plant materials as evidence in cases.Chapters include: History and Pioneers; Scientific Principles: DNA and Genetics; Forensic Analysis: Evaluation and Identification Testing of Blood and Body Fluid Evidence; Forensic Analysis: DNA Typing; and, Forensic Analysis: Bugs and Plants.