Summary

Blood, Bugs, and Plants explores several core biological areas that have influenced modern forensic science. Entomology ("bugs") is a specialty that uses knowledge about insect life cycles to inform death investigations. Botany ("plants") is a specialty that looks at plant materials as evidence in 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.

Blood, Bugs, and Plants takes a look at an exciting area of forensic science. Each chapter in this fascinating 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. The forensic science specialty of criminalistics is also discussed in this comprehensive resource.

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
• Forensic Analysis: Bugs and Plants
• The Future.

Specifications

Black-and-white photographs and line illustrations. Index. Appendix. Glossary. Cross-references. Sidebars. Further reading. Web sites. Tables.

About the Author(s)

R.E. Gaensslen, Ph.D., is professor and director of graduate studies of forensic science in the Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Illinois in Chicago. He has published numerous journal articles and is the author of several books. He was the editor of the Journal of Forensic Sciences from 1992 to 2000.