The most comprehensive guide to investigating complex criminal forensic investigations!

Written by veteran investigators known for their professional expertise, this book is packed with information on every aspect of the criminal forensic investigation. Whether you represent the defense or prosecution, this is the ideal resource to contact when working with an investigator. What avenues or possible leads have not been considered? What new techniques are being employed for the other side? How can you implement or challenge these new technical advances in medicocriminal entomology, GSR tests, or voice identification? For example, what's the difference between an atomic absorption GSR test and and a scanning electron microscope test? How does blowback challenge the threshold levels for GSR established by crime labs? Why do some workers, like plumbers and electricians, lend themselves to incriminating GSR tests?

Conducting thorough background checks often leads to the tip which cracks the case. However, do you adequately know the background of your expert? Do you know how to prevent unwelcome surprises in the courtroom regarding your own expert's credibility? Similarly, establishing a comfortable and productive rapport when investigating the backgrounds of potential informants and witnesses in various cases including white-collar crime is also discussed.

Investigating a case yourself? What possible defense strategies should be considered? Chapter 15, Homicide Defense Investigations, offers advice on the classic and alternative defenses usually used in trial. What about the defendant accused of sexual assault? Mentally handicapped defendants? All this and more are treated to an in-depth analysis to help decipher even the most complex of cases. This book details case examples and many sample interview questions to ask various experts when soliciting critical information.